This innovation case is strengthening the link between forests and water with the overall aim of diversifying financing sources for forest management by integrating ecosystem service provision into the economic balance sheet. Work includes integration in the Urban Masterplan for the Rialb Reservoir where different local stakeholders (economic, tourism, water and others) are already working together. The aim is for written recognition in a legal document of the role of forestry in water and landscape conservation, and the recognition of forestry as a potentially relevant economic activity in the area that can be promoted along with tourism. The innovation action also works with the public Segre-Rialb Consortium to assess the suitability of a payment for ecosystem services scheme in relation to water in the area.

• ecosystem services
• payment for ecosystem services
• water regulation
• water quality
• water availability
• water provision
• forest-water planning
• joint strategic planning
• joint forest management
• participatory design
• forest and water fund

The “Mushrooms of Borgotaro IGP” are produced in the woods of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The way the woods are managed has a great influence on the micro-climate of the undergrowth and consequently on fungal production. The Consorzio Comunalie Parmensi intends to improve the commercialisation of recreational permits for wild mushrooms collection in forest through an online platform. One of the main goals of this innovation case is to have a better distribution of mushroom pickers in the forest, avoiding their concentration in specific areas.

• recreational mushroom picking
• mushroom picking permits
• application-based tool
• online marketing
• online commercialisation

This case study is drafting new legislation that allows renting forestland for multiple purposes in order to increase economic efficiency and maintain a balance between all ecosystem services. This Russian case works on regulation mechanisms so that people renting forestland can use it for multiple purposes, and to include ecosystem services in the Forest Code.

• multi-purpose forest management
• ecosystem services
• payment for ecosystem
• forest lease
• forest tenant
• public forest
• forest policy

This case study looked to introduce valorisation and compensation of forest ecosystem services (FES) into Biscay Territory legislation. A participatory process included broad stakeholder contributions to policy implementation.

• legal framework
• forest ecosystem services
• water quality and quantity
• social and recreational services
• subsidies

This case study in Flanders (Belgium) focused on wild boar management through encouraging collaboration between farmers and hunters. A reverse auction instrument was tried for this purpose.

• wildlife population control
• shooting strips
• wild boar
• reverse auction
• private forests

This factsheet explores how managing forests to be used as spiritual forests and forest kindergartens could benefit both the forest and the forest owner. The core impact of the case study is to raise awareness of the importance of cultural ecosystem services and to motivate forest actors to manage forests appropriately.

• cultural ecosystem services
• payment for ecosystem services
• spiritual forests
• funeral forests
• private forests

This innovation action will provide a unique and innovative way of evaluating health as a component of forest ecosystem services. The goal is to develop several scenarios for payments of those services, as well as empower future management of the protected area. It may also allow some programmes to be launched in cooperation with health institutions on activities related to human health and rehabilitation. In parallel, the case will raise public awareness about forest ecosystem services in order to increase uptake, and so that all stakeholders and park visitors recognise the benefits of forests for their health.

• peri-urban forests
• protected areas
• public forests
• ecosystem services
• payment for ecosystem services
• recreation activities
• concession permits

This case study tested the use of reverse auctions for allocating incentive payments through a bidding process, thus engaging forest owners in cost-effective provision of biodiversity protection on their lands.

• biodiversity protection
• reverse auction
• public grant schemes
• private forests

This case study is a public-private partnership where private poplar plantations finance biodiversity conservation to satisfy requirements of the certification of timber products under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) framework.

• poplar plantations
• certification group
• FSC certification
• biodiversity payment scheme
• forest ecosystem services

This case study concerns a payment for ecosystem services where private forest owners are compensated for ‘production’ of landscape services, such as landscape amenities and biodiversity protection. The payment is intended to come from recreational users and others through voluntary donations.

• payment for ecosystem services
• landscape values
• recreational values
• biodiversity
• carbon stock
• forest owners
• mature forests