We study the human dimensions of climate change and adaptation of Austrian small-scale private forest owners. The project focused on the human dimensions of climate change and adaptation of Austrian small-scale private forest owners to climate change. In Austria, approximately 95,000 forest owners manage roughly 56% of the forest area with individual properties covering less than 5 ha. Due to changing family structures and traditions, the number of female forest owners is increasing. This study is therefore primarily interested in the decision-making processes of female respondents. The findings are based on a survey, which applied a choice experiment (CE) to investigate forest owners' perceptions of climate change, their motivation for forest ownership and their planned management behaviour under conditions of climate change. Overall, a total of 919 forest owners participated in the questionnaire, 20% of which were female participants from all over Austria. Female forest owners were analysed in comparison to their male counterparts, focussing on the duration of forest ownership, motivation and their preferred forest tending and maintenance approaches. Furthermore, we analysed the likelihood of female participants to apply climate change adaptation strategies in their forests. The findings reveal significant differences and demonstrate that tailored approaches are required when reaching out to females in order to influence their decision-making processes. Therefore, new approaches are necessary, which are specifically addressed to female small-scale private forest owners.
Pröbstl-Haider, U; Mostegl, NM; Haider, W
Small-scale private forest ownership: Understanding female and male forest owners' climate change adaptation behaviour
Forest Policy And Economics