Integrating nature conservation measures in european forest management – An exploratory study of barriers and drivers in 9 European countries

This paper investigates how nature conservation measures are integrated into forest management across nine European countries, focusing on barriers and enabling factors. Through 42 in-depth qualitative interviews with national experts and forest practitioners, the study examines how these measures are understood and applied in forests managed for wood production and other ecosystem services. It identifies key social, economic, technological, ecological, and political drivers that influence whether conservation actions are adopted in practice. The results highlight that personal motivation, knowledge, and long-term economic thinking support integration, while wood market demands and lack of public financial incentives are major barriers. Public pressure and legal frameworks also play ambiguous but significant roles. The paper ends with suggestions to improve the uptake of conservation integration in European forest management.