We delineated forests with direct and indirect protection function in forest management units Tržič and Jezersko. We adopted the methodology of delineation of forests with direct protection function against rockfall and avalanches from other Central European countries. Firstly we modeled the maximum reach of natural hazards and identified infrastructure threatened by natural hazards. We assigned direct protection function and defined the level of risk to forests located between the source of natural hazards and endangered infrastructure. We delineated areas with indirect protection function on the basis of digital elevation model (12,5 x 12,5 m) and existing expert data of Non-forestry institutions (e.g. Pedologic map, lavine cadastre), taking into account the criteria from the Forest planning guidelines (Priročnik za %, 2008). We used GIS software MapInfo 10.5 and ArcGIS 10.0 for spatial analysis. Elaborated maps of areas with direct and indirect protection function were compared with the Slovenia Forest Service maps. Comparison showed that surface of areas with indirect protection function was 80 % larger, and surface of areas with direct protection function 46 % larger than surface of areas with the same functions under Slovenia Forest Service maps. For areas with direct protection function, we proposed the procedure for assessing suitability of forest stands for protection against rockfalls according to the stand indicators, and recommended management priorities according to the deviation of current forest stand structure from the optimal one.
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