The Economic Value of the Protective Functions of Mountain Forests: A Case Study in the Italian Alps

Mountain forests perform an indirect protective function against natural events. The aim of this study is to develop a method of economic valuation of the role of mountain forests in reducing the risk of windthrow and soil erosion, taking as a case study the Cansiglio Orientale forest (Italian Alps). Protection against windthrow was investigated through the slenderness coefficient, while the soil erosion protection was analysed using a model that takes into account stand and site characteristics. The risk mitigation cost method has been applied for the economic estimation of the protective functions. The main results showed that more than 63% of trees are included in areas with high stand stability, while over 54% of the area is classified as low risk of soil erosion. Finally, an economic value of <euro> 61.72 ha(-1) yr(-1) - <euro> 20.36 ha(-1) yr(-1) to maintain the stand stability and of <euro> 4.39 ha(-1) yr(-1) - <euro> 1.31 ha(-1) yr(-1) to restore soil fertility after erosion were estimated. This study has provided an approach for the economic valuation of the protective function of mountain forests based on mitigation cost method. This contribution fits into the literature concerning the economic valuation of ecosystem services to improve decision-making process.