Reasons for the Special Protection of MOUNTAIN FOREST Landscapes everywhere:

Mountain Forests = CORE ZONE of Environmental and Nature conservation

Mountain Forests = CORE ZONE of Cultural and Landscape protection

=> 1) Mountain Forests = CORE ZONE of Nature- and Landscape Protection

In the general perception, there are two aspects for which certain landscapes deserve special protection.

First, there is nature conservation (basic values), which focuses on protecting habitats. The focus here is on species conservation, biotope and environmental protection. The protection of mountain forests as a supra-regionally important and diverse ecosystem is a top priority. In the minds of the general public, mountain forests around the world often enjoy a special status as taboo areas for development of any kind. Public resistance to harmful interventions in mountainous areas is robust, fostering nationwide awareness and a broad recognition of mountain forests as deserving special protection. It is no coincidence that most mountain forests are designated as nature reserves or are generally classified as protective forests.

Mountain forests are the CORE ZONE of nature conservation, as they have the highest density of natural elements such as ecological networks, migration corridors, various vegetation types, and habitats like caves, steep slopes, raised bogs, and slope forests. They are particularly important for species and nature conservation, as well as for soil, water, and air protection.

Secondly, landscape protection (higher values) primarily focuses on the visual appearance and aesthetic quality of the landscape. The preservation of the entire landscape is of utmost importance. As a valuable and worthy counterpart to civilization, mountain forests fulfill a variety of fundamental needs, including recreation, adventure, aesthetics, refuges, freedom, home, tradition, identity, spirituality, and self-discovery. This close connection to mountain forests makes people their greatest defenders and protectors. Consequently, regional associations and organizations emerged that successfully thwarted projects that could negatively impact the mountain forests. Due to their attachment to their landscape, mountain forests frequently received the protection status of a landscape protection area or nature park.

Mountain forests are the core zone of landscape protection, as they possess the highest density of landscape elements such as rocks, peaks, sightlines, viewpoints, castles, monasteries, caves, waterfalls, and river valleys. They are particularly important for recreation, adventure, aesthetics, retreats, freedom, home, tradition, identity, spirituality, and self-discovery (higher values).

=> (1) Consequently, mountain forests as a CORE ZONE of Nature- and Landscape conservation are a

High Value Protected Good of the General Public.

2) MOUNTAIN FORESTS belong to all of US! = Special GENERAL PROPERTY

=> 2) MOUNTAIN FORESTS = PROTECTED GOOD of the General Public

From 1) follows directly to 2): MOUNTAIN FORESTS represent a CORE AREA of environmental- nature conservation and cultural- landscape protection, and are therefore of outstanding Importance for the General Public! The mountain forest is of great importance to ALL of us and must be protected in the interest of the common good.

The bond between us and the mountain forest is very strong. MOUNTAIN FORESTS have a Special COMMON PROPERTY CHARACTER, as they are a supra-regional symbol of every community and district and represent a complete contrast to personal property in the flat valley (e.g. one's own garden, fields, etc.). A mountain range without the mountain forest is, in general consensus, hard to imagine. Mountain forests and mountain ranges thus form an inseparable unity in our minds. The mountain forest stands out clearly from its surroundings, it stands above us all as a visible object of identification and is a Protected Good of the General Public.

(A) PROTECTION STATUS of MOUNTAIN FORESTS =

MOUNTAIN FORESTS are as a CORE ZONE (CORE AREA) of Nature- and Landscape Protection a

HIGH VALUE PROTECTED GOOD of the GENERAL PUBLIC!

From 1) + 2) follows: (A) (PROTECTION worthiness- STATUS of Mountain Forests)

In (A), points 1) and 2) are combined. The term PROTECTED GOOD, which appears in both 1) and 2), acts as a connecting element. With regard to nature and landscape conservation, mountain forests clearly stand out from their surroundings as a CORE AREA and are therefore of great importance to the general public. As a CORE ZONE of Nature and Landscape Protection, Mountain Forests enjoy a High level PROTECTION-STATUS for the General Public. The special thing about this PROTECTION worthiness STATUS is that No Mountain Forest can be denied this. This STATUS of PROTECTION worthiness exists and protects the Mountain Forest although it is neither visible nor directly stipulated somewhere.

In contrast to flat normal sites with a lot of ownership areas, MOUNTAIN FORESTS are considered a CORE ZONE (CORE AREA) and HIGH VALUE PROTECTED GOOD of the THE GENERAL PUBLIC (STATUS A).

(B) Landscape-Planning (Optimal Structure of the Landscape in the Sense of the Common Good)

Mountains as an optimal location for nature conservation and landscape protection

Mountains at the same time not suitable as a location for settlement and agriculture

In addition to the PROTECTION-STATUS (A), the mountain forest is also protected by Landscape-Planning (B) in the region.

The closed forests of the mountains are ideal as locations of nature and landscape protection due to their height, location and distance from the settlements. Since hill and mountain forests are neither suitable for settlement nor for agriculture but at the same time represent the best locations for nature conservation and landscape protection, these areas offer ideal conditions for hill and mountain forests. The general guiding principle with the broadest approval here is unbroken, near-natural mountain forests without any kind of construction or development.

The flat valley offers excellent conditions for settlements and agriculture. Both supply and waste disposal are carried out within the settlements. The guiding principles include traditional architecture and monument preservation, which are considered cultural cornerstones of every region, as well as compact construction with short distances, parks, and a green outskirts. The character of the settlement is particularly impressive from various perspectives, ensuring a clear line of sight from the outside and an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape, as long as the hills and mountains remain unobstructed. From the hilly surroundings, the settlement becomes tangible, and at the same time, residents are afforded a view of the expansive landscape. For this reason, the settlement planning avoids building on hills and elevations. This allows for the compact settlement to be harmoniously integrated into the natural environment.

(A) + (B) => PROTECTION, PRESERVATION and EXPANSION of the Mountain Forests

The interplay of (A = PROTECTION-STATUS) and (B = Landscape-Planning) results in a continuos emergence of new Forces from the GENERAL PUBLIC committed to the Protection, Preservation and Expansion of the Mountain Forests. This is achieved by Awarding or Designating the Mountain Forests as areas worthy of special protection such as protected forests, recreation forests, nature parks, world cultural sites, protected community forests or by granting general protection status to mountain forests. In addition, Protection Programs such as reforestation initiatives and nature conservation plans in the mountains are being launched. The establishment of Networks and Alliances for the protection and defense of mountain forests, with municipalities, organizations, associations, and alliances working together, also plays a crucial role.

This combination of PROTECTION-STATUS (A) and Landscape-Planning (B) provides the greatest possible Protection for Mountain Forests (Ghost Landscapes). The High PROTECTION-STATUS of Mountain Forests (A) and the Landscape-Planning (B) together form a secure basis for the protection of all Mountain Forests. This combination of recognition of the Protection Worthiness by the general public (priority areas for nature and landscape protection) and Landscape-Planning (sensible structure of the landscape) results in the greatest benefit for the common good overall.

Examples of Awards or Designations of Mountain Forests:

General Protection:

Mountain Forests = Central Identification Object and Primary Homeland Symbol

Mountain Forests = Priority Area for Nature and Landscape Protection

Mountain Forests = Conservation Forest and Recreation Forests

Mountain Forests = Protection Forests (Specially Protected Forests)

Special Protection:

Mountain Forest as Protected Area: Designation as a Nature Park, National Park,

Regional Park, Landscape Conservation Park etc.

Mountain Forests as a Priority Area for Protection in Biosphere Reserves

Mountain Forests as Wilderness Area

Mountain Forests as a World Cultural and Natural Site

Mountain Forests as Protected Ghost Forests

Mountain Forest as Protected Community Forest

Protection Programs for Mountain Forests:

Conservation Plans or Reforestation Programs are primarly implemented in mountainous areas around the world. The sight of bare, deserted mountains is unappealing to anyone. Rather, people want to see forests grow on the steep slopes, enriching life and eliminating the dreary appearance of treeless mountains. It's therefore not surprising that reforestation programs, especially in the mountains, are enjoying great popularity in many communities around the world, with many participants from the surrounding areas planting and protecting new mountain forests.

Alliances and Networks for the protection and defence of mountain forests:

The list of Alliances and Networks for landscape protection that have successfully prevented the worst natural crimes worldwide is long. Based on various conflicts in the field of nature and landscape conservation, I have observed that mountain forests, in particular, have been most strongly protected and defended by large alliances and networks in specific cases when projects were threatened. This clearly highlights the PROTECTION-worthy STATUS of mountain forests in the public.

Mountains Forests Ghosts