The Environment in Planning a Forest Road Network

Abstract

Slovenia is a small European country with varied natural characteristics. 30% of Slovenia’s total surface has a slate, tertiary or flysch basis and approximately 19% of the total surface is threatened by soil erosion. When planning the forest road network, three main groups of factors are studied: natural conditions, state of forests and existing traffic communications. It is essential to find an equilibrium between the forests (nature), economic with organisation and technology. Inside the environmental impact at planning forest road network the role of topography, relief, geological conditions, climatic conditions and water conditions is described. It is concluded that the knowledge and consideration of the forest’s natural laws and of the environmental factors is crucial for the planning of the forest road network.