Responsible BodyPolicy OverviewMilestones International CooperationMain DocumentsBasic IndicatorsContact PersonsUseful LinksResponsible Body Environment Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning (Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor) Dunajska cesta 48, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 74 00 Fax: +386 1 478 74 22 E-mail: info.mop@gov.si Web Page: http://www.mop.gov.si/ Location on the Map Organization Chart Biodiversity Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning (Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor) Environment Directorate Dunajska cesta 48, PO BOX 653, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 74 00 Fax: +386 1 478 74 22 E-mail: gp.mop@gov.si Web Page: http://www.gov.si/mop/ Organization Chart Organisation of the line Ministry in the field of Nature conservation: Decision making and policy level: Ministry (minister Janez Podobnik) Environment Directorate (Director General Radovan Tavzes) Sector for Nature Conservation (Secretary Mladen Berginc) Permitting, Monitoring, Reporting level: Environmental Agency of the Ministy of Environment and Spatial Planning (Director General Silvo Žlebir) Environment Office (Director Tanja Dolenc) Nature Conservation Sector (Head of the Sector Inge Turk) Technical support: Institute for Nature Conservation (Director Darij Krajčič) Policy Overview Environment The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning is responsible for ensuring a healthy living environment for all residents of the Republic of Slovenia. It promotes and co-ordinates efforts towards sustainable development based on the rational and economical use of natural resources while at the same time providing for social well-being. The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning Ensures: Establishment of the environment as both a limiting and stimulating factor of development; Improvement in the state of the water environment: water management, water management facilities and equipment, protection of drinking water, maintenance of the water regime, flood protection, water protection and removal and treatment of wastewater; Waste management: reduction at source in the generation and potential hazards of waste, increasing the material and energy utilisation of waste, establishing an effective system of waste management, gradual disposal of old waste; Solutions to environmental problems concerning air quality: formulation of a national programme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and an air protection strategy; protection of land and forests, protection against noise; Nature conservation: preserving biodiversity and genetic variety, preventing further threats to the natural balance and destruction of and damage to natural resources, activities relating to the establishment of parks, physical records of the natural world, maintaining lists of endangered species, monitoring the protected natural environment, offering incentives for owners of protected natural areas and for preserving natural areas with no specific protected status; Promoting development based on the sustainable use of natural resources and the environment, whereby the environment is seen as a factor of economic development and a source of well-being; greater public access to environmental information; Incorporation of environmental policy in the agricultural, transport, energy and tourism sectors. Biodiversity Mission In particular preserving biological diversity on genetic, species and ecosystem level and conservation of natural values (outstanding natural features: e. g. old trees, caves, solitary rocks, natural arches, canyons, geological features, waterfalls, springs, river systems…) Working Areas Decision making Policy making Legislation Fields of Interest Species conservation (red lists of threatened species, action plans, protected species…); Habitat types & ecosystems (co-ordination of mapping, legal measures); Ecological networks (Emerald, Natura 2000); Protected areas (National, Regional, Landscape parks, Natural Monuments, Nature Reserves, Strict Nature Reserves); Natura 2000 and other EU directives implementation procedures (assessments, financing, derogations); International Cooperation - Implementation of Treaties. Milestones Environment 1993 Adoption of the Environmental Protection Act 1998 Adoption of the Environmental Accession Strategy for Slovenia's Accession to the European Union 1999 Adoption of the National Environmental Action Programme 1999 Adoption of the Nature Conservation Act (amended in 2004) 2002 Adoption of the Water Act 2002 State of the Environment report 2004 Adoption of Slovenian National Allocation Plan for 2005-2007 2004 Adoption of National Environmental Action Programme 2004 Adoption of the new Environmental Protection Act 2004 Natura 2000 sites designated by government decree Biodiversity 1810 Founded by Franc Hladnik. The Garden named as a Native flora garden was established as a part of the Central school. 1843 The overview of flora Kranjske was published by Andrej Fleischmann (Übersiht der flora Krains). 1889 The first Index seminum was published by Alfonz Paulin. 1892 In forestry plans Leopold Hufnagel excluded some virgin forests from economic use – first concrete action of conservation by purpose. 1896 Protection of Edelweiss in Goriško. 1898 Protection of Edelweiss in Kranjsko and Štajersko. 1901-1936 The Flora Exsiccata Carniolica was published. 1906 List of botanical natural monuments in Carniola (botanist Alfons Paulin). 1920 First comprehensive nature conservation programme was as a Memorandum (Spomenica) delivered to the Govenment by a nature conservation society (Odsek za varstvo prirode Muzejskega društva – Section for Nature Conservation of the Museal Society). 1922 New list of protected plant species, protection of animal species and caves. 1924 First alpine protected area with elements of the national park was founded in the Dolina Triglavskih jezer in the Julian Alps. That was the nucleus of the Triglav National Park. 1944 Foundation of the nature conservation administration. 1970 First Nature Conservation Act. 1981 Natural and Cultural Heritage Act and reorganisation of administration. Škocjanske jame inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Enlargement of the Triglav National Park. 1991 Independance of Slovenia. Sečoveljske soline inscribed to the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance. 1994 Competency for nature conservation were transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Ministry of Environment. 1999 Nature Conservation law. Škocjanske jame inscribed to the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance. 2001 Start of the accession process to the EU. 2004 Triglav National Park received European Diploma (Council of Europe); Legal transposition of 'Acquis Communaitaire' almost completed; Natura 2000 sites designated by the Government; Accession of Slovenia to the EU. International CooperationBiodiversityThe endeavours to maintain and sustainably manage forests take place within the scope of various processes and initiatives in which Slovenia is involved and which appear under the common name »International forest regime«. These include worldwide processes such as the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF), and regional processes such as the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE). Other important elements are the conventions and resolutions directly related to forests: the Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention), the resolutions within the framework of the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe (the Strasbourg, Helsinki, Lisbon and Vienna Resolutions), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC) with its Kyoto Protocol, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).We cooperate with: FAO Forestry Committee, FAO Forestry Commission, the Timber Committee of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), the UN Commission for Sustainable Development, the European Forestry Institute (EFI), the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), the Association of European Foresters Practising Management which follows Natural Processes (PROSILVA), the International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA), the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), etc. Our representatives actively participate in the work of relevant working groups in the EU Council and the European Commission (Working Party on Forests, Standing Forestry Committee, etc.).Main Documents Environment Legislation The Environmental Protection Act Air Quality Legislation Waste Management Legislation Nature Protection Legislation Nature Conservation Act Soil Protection Legislation Noise Legislation Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Legislation Waters Act Waters Act Documents National Environmental Action Program (Currently Slovenian version only) Environment in Slovenia 2002 Biodiversity Conservation Strategy of Slovenia, 2002 Living Future (Introductory Profile), 2003 Action Plan for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2003 Strategic Reference Framework for Cohesion Fund Assistance – Environmental Sector Slovenia’s First National Communication under The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Slovenia's Second and Third National Communication to the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change See the Sea The Slovenian Mediterranean and Sustainable Development Environment and Sustainable Development Research Potentials in Slovenia Biodiversity Biodiversity Biodiversity Materials CBD Strategy Natura 2000 Map Map of Protected Areas Environmental and Sustainable Developmnt Research Potencials in Slovenia Basic IndicatorsEnvironmentForests cover more than half of the territory of Slovenia. They are an essential element of the landscape. With forest cover of 57%, Slovenia ranks third among the countries of Europe in terms of forestation. Of the total area of Slovenia (2,025,469 ha), forests take up 1,157,824 ha, distributed in such a way that they predominate in as much as three quarters of the territory. This high proportion of forest is understandable given that Slovenia is a mountainous country – more than one third of the territory lies above 600 m, and two thirds of this is forest. Some half of the land in Slovenia has an incline greater than 20%, and a good fifth an incline above 35%. Three quarters of the areas with an incline greater than 20% are forested, while forest cover is 90% on land with an incline of greater than 35%. Forest has mainly been preserved in higher and steeper locations which are less suitable for agriculture and where its protective role is even more important. Changes in the forest area in Slovenia in the period 1875-2003 Year 1875 1947 1961 1970 1980 1990 1997 2003 Forest area (000 ha) 737 879 961 1026 1045 1077 1110 1158 Forest cover (%) 36 43 48 51 52 53 55 57 Site conditions, types and biodiversity of forests Most of Slovenia’s forests are located within the area of beech (44%), fir/beech (15%) and beech/oak (11%) sites, with a relatively high production capacity. Sites of thermophilic broad-leaved trees and pines, occupying only about 12% of Slovenia’s forest area, are poorer in terms of timber production. It should be stressed that the timber production potential of forest sites has not yet been fully utilised. Increment analyses show that the average site potential is 8.0 m3/ha, whereas the actual current annual increment is 6.30 m3/ha. A total of 71 tree species (10 conifers and 61 broad-leaved trees) have a natural geographical distribution in Slovenia. The main reasons why human influence has been less detrimental to forests than in most central European countries are the mountainous nature of the country and the difficulty of access in the Karst region – on other words a high proportion of poorly accessible forests. Forests are consequently relatively well preserved, something which applies in particular to the diversity of natural tree species composition and the structure (vertical and horizontal) of the stands. The share of spruce has shown a significant increase in just 15% of forests. It has however been established that the actual tree composition deviates greatly from the potential vegetation. The ratio between coniferous and broad-leaved trees is 48:52 (2000), while the potential ratio appropriate for the site conditions is 20:80. A survey of endangered and other plant and animal species dependent on forest Endangered species dependent on forest Species dependent on forest All endangered species Plants 47 950 330 Amphibians 11 17 18 Reptiles 10 10 20 Birds 46 95 116 Mammals 25 70 29 Source: Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning – Pregled stanja biotske raznovrstnosti in krajinske pestrosti v Sloveniji, 2001 The extremely high diversity of habitats and biotic communities that have developed through the millennia has created a great many different ecosystems in a relatively small territory. The preservation of the forests has certainly contributed to Slovenia being one of the few European countries in which three of Europe’s large carnivores – the brown bear, the wolf and the lynx – can be found.Forest ownershipBefore the political changes in Slovenia took place, 65% of the forests were private property and 35% public forests. It is expected that once the process of denationalisation is complete, about 20% of forests will be owned by the State. Private forest estates in Slovenia are small, with an average area of only 3 ha. In 30% of the total forest area, forest estates are smaller than 3 ha and commonly consist of several separate plots. Such forests are certainly not of economic interest to the owners. Larger forest estates can be found in mountainous regions, where forests represent an important income source for high-altitude farms. Private forest property is becoming even more fragmented because the number of forest owners is increasing. According to the most recent figures there are approximately 314,000 forest owners in Slovenia. The significant fragmentation of forest property is a serious obstacle to professional work in private forests, optimal timber production and forest potential utilisation. It also conditions the type and structural variety of private forests.Growing stock, increment and fellingsOver the past 50 years the growing stock has increased by 57% and the increment by 79%. With the exception of the first decade following the First World War, when fellings exceeded the increment because of the country’s rebuilding needs, planned professional work in the subsequent period increased the growing stock and improved its quality and the tending of forests. Both the growing stock and the exploitation of the timber production site potential of Slovenia’s forests have reached approximately 75% of the optimum. Changes in growing stock and increment (m3/ha) from 1947 – 2003 Year 1947 1961 1970 1980 1990 1997 2003 Growing stock Conifers 68 91 96 101 100 103 117 Broad-leaved 58 65 76 85 92 106 130 Total 126 156 172 186 192 209 247 Increment Conifers 1.71 2.05 2.31 2.45 2.43 2.53 2.81 Broad-leaved 1.38 1.46 1.77 2.26 2.49 2.99 3.49 Total 3.09 3.51 4.08 4.71 4.92 5.52 6.30 Wood fellings in Slovenian forests in gross m3 and ratio between fellings and increment and fellings and growing stock for specific periods (years) Year Removals in million m3 % of increment % of growing stock 1939 3.30 112 1945-1954 4.54 166 1956 2.91 111 2.5 1961 2.89 86 1.9 1965 2.95 77 1.8 1970-1979 2.94 70 1.6 1980-1989 3.26 66 1.6 1990-1999 2.32 49 1.1 2000-2003 2.72 39 1.0 Timber productionMore than a hundred companies in Slovenia are registered to carry out timber production and other forestry work. In 2002 only 73 of these registered enterprises were actively trading (4 large enterprises, 6 medium-sized enterprises and 63 small enterprises). They employed a total of 1,807 people (587 in large enterprises, 713 in medium-sized enterprises and 922 in small enterprises). Sixteen of these enterprises, with the appropriate equipment and expertise, hold concessions to work in state-owned forests, while they also work in private forests. A concession for work in state-owned forests is granted for a period of twenty years and covers the felling and skidding of timber, the sale of wood assortments, protective and silvicultural work and other tasks necessary to ensure the social and ecological functions of forests, and the construction and maintenance of forest infrastructure. In addition to concession holders, there are thirty-five agricultural and forestry or forestry cooperatives in the forestry business (mostly involved in the purchase of timber but also carrying out some work in forests). A high proportion of the felling and a somewhat smaller share of skidding in private forests is not carried out by trained workers from forestry enterprises and adequately equipped forest owners, but by inadequately trained and ill-equipped forest owners, their family members and acquaintances. Unfortunately there is a lack of money and insufficient interest from forest owners (who typically own a small forest property or think they are proficient enough for the job) to start training for this dangerous and varied work, carried out under a variety of conditions by timber cutters, tractor operators and silvicultural workers.Wood industryThe wealth of wood can only be fully realised and ennobled by the wood industry. Slovenia’s wood industry is strongly focused on exports and accounts for ten percent of Slovenia’s total exports. Of the total export value of USD 1.12 billion brought in by the wood industry in 2002, two thirds were contributed by the furniture industry. In 2002 there were 961 active wood enterprises, employing 21,750 employees. Wood enterprises in Slovenia by size and type in year 2002 Total Large Medium-sized Small Sawmills 176 1 5 170 Veneer and boards 32 4 10 18 Building joinery 142 7 8 127 Other products 286 4 5 277 Furniture 325 14 26 285 Total 961 30 54 877 In 2002 the wood industry employed 4.6% of Slovenia’s total workforce and accounted for 2.3% of total income and for 10.2% of total exports. The added value per employee in the wood processing and furniture industry in 2002 was EUR 15,454.SourcesAssociation of Slovenian Forest Societies, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Slovenian Forest Service. 2004. Slovenian Forests and Forestry.- Published by Association of Slovenian Forest Societies, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCELIČ, K. 2003. Forests and Forestry in Slovenia.- Paper was presented at Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training with the participation of IUFRO. Workshop on Forest Operation Improvements in Farm Forests. Logarska dolina. Slovenia. 9-14 September 2003GAŠPERŠIČ, F. 1995. Gozdnogospodarsko načrtovanje v sonaravnem gospodarjenju z gozdovi.- Univerza v Ljubljani. Biotehniška fakulteta. Oddelek za gozdarstvo. Ljubljana.Gospodarska osnova 1942-1951 za gozdove uprave Straža.- Archives of Slovenian Forestry service, local unit Straža BiodiversityNATURA 2000 Sites in Slovenia NATURA 2000 in Slovenia pSCI (29. 4. 2004) SPA (29. 4. 2004) Number of sites: 260 Number of sites: 26 31, 6 % national territory 22, 8 % national territory Protected Areas in Slovenia Protected Areas in Slovenia in 2005 Type of protected area Area (km2) % of national territory Lanscape parks 1.042,1 5,14 Regional parks 439,0 2,17 National parks 831,0 4,10 Total 2.312,1 11,41 Protected Areas (vision) Type of protected area Area (km2) % of national territory Lanscape parks 1.307,0 6,45 Regional parks 5.067,7 25,00 National parks 0 0 Total 6.374,7 31,45 Threatened animal and plant specieshttp://eionet-si.arso.gov.si/kazalci/index_html?lang=1&Kaz_id=10&Kaz_naziv=Ogrožene%20vrste&Sku_id=1&Sku_naziv=NARAVA%20IN%20POVRŠJE&tip_kaz=1Nature protection areashttp://eionet-si.arso.gov.si/kazalci/index_html?lang=1&Kaz_id=4&Kaz_naziv=Zavarovana%20območja%20narave&Sku_id=1&Sku_naziv=NARAVA%20IN%20POVRŠJE&tip_kaz=1Population size of selected bird specieshttp://eionet-si.arso.gov.si/kazalci/index_html?lang=1&Kaz_id=2&Kaz_naziv=Velikost%20populacij%20izbranih%20vrst%20ptic%20&Sku_id=1&Sku_naziv=NARAVA%20IN%20POVRŠJE&tip_kaz=1 Contact Persons Environment Environment Directorate Mr. Radovan Tavzes, M.Sc., Director General Phone: +386 1 478 73 10 Fax: +386 1 478 74 25 E-mail: radovan.tavzes@gov.si Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Silvo Žlebir, Ph.D., Director General Vojkova 1b, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 4000 Fax: +386 1 478 40 52 E-mail: silvo.zlebir@gov.si Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial Planning Mrs. Bojana Pohar, Main inspector Dunajska c. 47, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 420 44 88 Fax: +386 1 420 44 91 E-mail: bojana.pohar@gov.si Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration Mr. Andrej Stritar, Ph.D., Director Železna cesta 16, P.P. 5759, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 472 11 00 Fax: +386 1 472 11 99 E-mail: andrej.stritar@gov.si The Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Aleš Seliškar, Director Zemljemerska ulica 12, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 48 00 Fax: +386 1 478 49 09 E-mail: andrej.seliskar@gov.si National Contact Points Biodiversity Mr. Mladen Berginc, M.Sc., Environment Directorate, Head of Sector for Biodiversity Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning Dunajska C. 48, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 309 45 50 E-mail: mladen.berginc@gov.si Mr. Peter Skoberne, Ph.D. Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning Dunajska C. 48, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 309 45 62 E-mail: peter.skoberne@gov.si National Contact Points Useful Links Environment Environment Directorate Mr. Radovan Tavzes, M.Sc., Director General Phone: +386 1 478 73 10 Fax: +386 1 478 74 25 E-mail: radovan.tavzes@gov.si Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Silvo Žlebir, Ph.D., Director General Vojkova 1b, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 4000 Fax: +386 1 478 40 52 E-mail: silvo.zlebir@gov.si Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial Planning Mrs. Bojana Pohar, Main inspector Dunajska c. 47, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 420 44 88 Fax: +386 1 420 44 91 E-mail: bojana.pohar@gov.si Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration Mr. Andrej Stritar, Ph.D., Director Železna cesta 16, P.P. 5759, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 472 11 00 Fax: +386 1 472 11 99 E-mail: andrej.stritar@gov.si The Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Aleš Seliškar, Director Zemljemerska ulica 12, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 48 00 Fax: +386 1 478 49 09 E-mail: andrej.seliskar@gov.si National Contact Points Biodiversity CBD Clearing house mechanism EIONET-SI (monitoring and reporting) Natura 2000 (currently available in Slovene only!) Interactive Atlas of Slovenia (currently available in Slovene only!) Legislation (currently available in Slovene only!)
Organisation of the line Ministry in the field of Nature conservation:
Decision making and policy level: Ministry (minister Janez Podobnik) Environment Directorate (Director General Radovan Tavzes) Sector for Nature Conservation (Secretary Mladen Berginc)
Permitting, Monitoring, Reporting level: Environmental Agency of the Ministy of Environment and Spatial Planning (Director General Silvo Žlebir) Environment Office (Director Tanja Dolenc) Nature Conservation Sector (Head of the Sector Inge Turk)
Technical support: Institute for Nature Conservation (Director Darij Krajčič)
The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning is responsible for ensuring a healthy living environment for all residents of the Republic of Slovenia. It promotes and co-ordinates efforts towards sustainable development based on the rational and economical use of natural resources while at the same time providing for social well-being.
The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning Ensures:
Mission In particular preserving biological diversity on genetic, species and ecosystem level and conservation of natural values (outstanding natural features: e. g. old trees, caves, solitary rocks, natural arches, canyons, geological features, waterfalls, springs, river systems…)
Working Areas
Fields of Interest
Adoption of the new Environmental Protection Act
The endeavours to maintain and sustainably manage forests take place within the scope of various processes and initiatives in which Slovenia is involved and which appear under the common name »International forest regime«. These include worldwide processes such as the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF), and regional processes such as the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE). Other important elements are the conventions and resolutions directly related to forests: the Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention), the resolutions within the framework of the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe (the Strasbourg, Helsinki, Lisbon and Vienna Resolutions), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC) with its Kyoto Protocol, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
We cooperate with: FAO Forestry Committee, FAO Forestry Commission, the Timber Committee of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), the UN Commission for Sustainable Development, the European Forestry Institute (EFI), the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), the Association of European Foresters Practising Management which follows Natural Processes (PROSILVA), the International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA), the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), etc.
Our representatives actively participate in the work of relevant working groups in the EU Council and the European Commission (Working Party on Forests, Standing Forestry Committee, etc.).
Legislation
National Environmental Action Program (Currently Slovenian version only)
Environment in Slovenia 2002
Biodiversity Conservation Strategy of Slovenia, 2002
Living Future (Introductory Profile), 2003
Action Plan for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2003
Strategic Reference Framework for Cohesion Fund Assistance – Environmental Sector
Forests cover more than half of the territory of Slovenia. They are an essential element of the landscape. With forest cover of 57%, Slovenia ranks third among the countries of Europe in terms of forestation. Of the total area of Slovenia (2,025,469 ha), forests take up 1,157,824 ha, distributed in such a way that they predominate in as much as three quarters of the territory. This high proportion of forest is understandable given that Slovenia is a mountainous country – more than one third of the territory lies above 600 m, and two thirds of this is forest. Some half of the land in Slovenia has an incline greater than 20%, and a good fifth an incline above 35%. Three quarters of the areas with an incline greater than 20% are forested, while forest cover is 90% on land with an incline of greater than 35%. Forest has mainly been preserved in higher and steeper locations which are less suitable for agriculture and where its protective role is even more important.
Site conditions, types and biodiversity of forests
Most of Slovenia’s forests are located within the area of beech (44%), fir/beech (15%) and beech/oak (11%) sites, with a relatively high production capacity. Sites of thermophilic broad-leaved trees and pines, occupying only about 12% of Slovenia’s forest area, are poorer in terms of timber production. It should be stressed that the timber production potential of forest sites has not yet been fully utilised. Increment analyses show that the average site potential is 8.0 m3/ha, whereas the actual current annual increment is 6.30 m3/ha.
The extremely high diversity of habitats and biotic communities that have developed through the millennia has created a great many different ecosystems in a relatively small territory. The preservation of the forests has certainly contributed to Slovenia being one of the few European countries in which three of Europe’s large carnivores – the brown bear, the wolf and the lynx – can be found.
Forest ownership
Before the political changes in Slovenia took place, 65% of the forests were private property and 35% public forests. It is expected that once the process of denationalisation is complete, about 20% of forests will be owned by the State. Private forest estates in Slovenia are small, with an average area of only 3 ha. In 30% of the total forest area, forest estates are smaller than 3 ha and commonly consist of several separate plots. Such forests are certainly not of economic interest to the owners. Larger forest estates can be found in mountainous regions, where forests represent an important income source for high-altitude farms. Private forest property is becoming even more fragmented because the number of forest owners is increasing. According to the most recent figures there are approximately 314,000 forest owners in Slovenia. The significant fragmentation of forest property is a serious obstacle to professional work in private forests, optimal timber production and forest potential utilisation. It also conditions the type and structural variety of private forests.
Growing stock, increment and fellings
Over the past 50 years the growing stock has increased by 57% and the increment by 79%. With the exception of the first decade following the First World War, when fellings exceeded the increment because of the country’s rebuilding needs, planned professional work in the subsequent period increased the growing stock and improved its quality and the tending of forests. Both the growing stock and the exploitation of the timber production site potential of Slovenia’s forests have reached approximately 75% of the optimum.
Timber production
More than a hundred companies in Slovenia are registered to carry out timber production and other forestry work. In 2002 only 73 of these registered enterprises were actively trading (4 large enterprises, 6 medium-sized enterprises and 63 small enterprises). They employed a total of 1,807 people (587 in large enterprises, 713 in medium-sized enterprises and 922 in small enterprises). Sixteen of these enterprises, with the appropriate equipment and expertise, hold concessions to work in state-owned forests, while they also work in private forests. A concession for work in state-owned forests is granted for a period of twenty years and covers the felling and skidding of timber, the sale of wood assortments, protective and silvicultural work and other tasks necessary to ensure the social and ecological functions of forests, and the construction and maintenance of forest infrastructure.
In addition to concession holders, there are thirty-five agricultural and forestry or forestry cooperatives in the forestry business (mostly involved in the purchase of timber but also carrying out some work in forests). A high proportion of the felling and a somewhat smaller share of skidding in private forests is not carried out by trained workers from forestry enterprises and adequately equipped forest owners, but by inadequately trained and ill-equipped forest owners, their family members and acquaintances. Unfortunately there is a lack of money and insufficient interest from forest owners (who typically own a small forest property or think they are proficient enough for the job) to start training for this dangerous and varied work, carried out under a variety of conditions by timber cutters, tractor operators and silvicultural workers.
Wood industry
The wealth of wood can only be fully realised and ennobled by the wood industry. Slovenia’s wood industry is strongly focused on exports and accounts for ten percent of Slovenia’s total exports. Of the total export value of USD 1.12 billion brought in by the wood industry in 2002, two thirds were contributed by the furniture industry. In 2002 there were 961 active wood enterprises, employing 21,750 employees.
In 2002 the wood industry employed 4.6% of Slovenia’s total workforce and accounted for 2.3% of total income and for 10.2% of total exports. The added value per employee in the wood processing and furniture industry in 2002 was EUR 15,454.
Sources
NATURA 2000 Sites in Slovenia
Protected Areas in Slovenia
Threatened animal and plant specieshttp://eionet-si.arso.gov.si/kazalci/index_html?lang=1&Kaz_id=10&Kaz_naziv=Ogrožene%20vrste&Sku_id=1&Sku_naziv=NARAVA%20IN%20POVRŠJE&tip_kaz=1
Nature protection areashttp://eionet-si.arso.gov.si/kazalci/index_html?lang=1&Kaz_id=4&Kaz_naziv=Zavarovana%20območja%20narave&Sku_id=1&Sku_naziv=NARAVA%20IN%20POVRŠJE&tip_kaz=1
Population size of selected bird specieshttp://eionet-si.arso.gov.si/kazalci/index_html?lang=1&Kaz_id=2&Kaz_naziv=Velikost%20populacij%20izbranih%20vrst%20ptic%20&Sku_id=1&Sku_naziv=NARAVA%20IN%20POVRŠJE&tip_kaz=1
Environment Directorate Mr. Radovan Tavzes, M.Sc., Director General Phone: +386 1 478 73 10 Fax: +386 1 478 74 25 E-mail: radovan.tavzes@gov.si Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Silvo Žlebir, Ph.D., Director General Vojkova 1b, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 4000 Fax: +386 1 478 40 52 E-mail: silvo.zlebir@gov.si
Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial Planning Mrs. Bojana Pohar, Main inspector Dunajska c. 47, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 420 44 88 Fax: +386 1 420 44 91 E-mail: bojana.pohar@gov.si
Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration Mr. Andrej Stritar, Ph.D., Director Železna cesta 16, P.P. 5759, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 472 11 00 Fax: +386 1 472 11 99 E-mail: andrej.stritar@gov.si
The Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Aleš Seliškar, Director Zemljemerska ulica 12, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 478 48 00 Fax: +386 1 478 49 09 E-mail: andrej.seliskar@gov.si
National Contact Points
Mr. Mladen Berginc, M.Sc., Environment Directorate, Head of Sector for Biodiversity Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning Dunajska C. 48, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 309 45 50 E-mail: mladen.berginc@gov.si Mr. Peter Skoberne, Ph.D. Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning Dunajska C. 48, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Phone: +386 1 309 45 62 E-mail: peter.skoberne@gov.si