What are the expectations or worries German forest owners have concerning the implementation of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat respectively Natura 2000 directive? This was the main focus of an online survey among forest owners throughout Germany conducted by the Institute for Forest Sector Economics within the scope of the joint research project FFH-Impact.

Forest owners were asked to report their experiences within the current process of implementing the Flora-Fauna-Habitat respectively Natura 2000 directive. Responds of 339 forest enterprises foster the impression of uncertainty regarding the preparation of management plans for the implementation of protective goals in Flora-Fauna-Habitat-Areas. As shown in the graph, 230 respondents expect lower proceeds and / or higher costs due to management constraints caused by the Flora-Fauna-Habitat directive as well as by considerable administrative efforts. 69 respondents could not judge the impacts. 31 respondents expect no financial impacts at all, whereas 7 respondents expect the financial impacts to be positive.