Mountain forests in the European Alps are increasingly affected by natural disturbances such as windthrow events, insect outbreaks, and wildfires. While these disturbances are a fundamental component of forest ecosystems, their recent increase in frequency, magnitude, and severity is significantly impacting the provision of critical ecosystem services, including protection against natural hazards such as snow avalanches, rockfall, landslides, and debris flows—a service that is essential for both livelihoods and the economy in the Alpine region.

Shifts in natural disturbance regimes are often driven by climate change and past land management legacies. Consequently, sustainable forest and natural hazard risk management that balances multiple societal demands has become increasingly important under changing climatic conditions, but also in the face of societal growth and evolving needs as well as limited financial, human, and operational resources. Sharing experiences on pre- and post-disturbance management across the Alps is therefore essential to foster mutual learning and develop resilient strategies that provide optimal protection from natural hazards while maintaining other key ecosystem services, such as timber production, freshwater and habitat provision, and space for recreational activities.

This session provides a platform for presenting and discussing the latest research on pre- and post-disturbance management in Alpine forests; the influence of management strategies on disturbance predisposition and recovery; their link to natural hazard protection (including compound events) and other ecosystem services; and related synergies and trade-offs. It also welcomes innovative approaches to quantifying ecosystem services, such as the protective effects of disturbed forests against natural hazards, as well as methods for detecting and monitoring natural disturbances. Contributions may include case studies, management concepts, methodological advances, literature reviews, policy adaptations, and examples in which management interventions did not achieve the intended outcomes. By bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, the session aims to foster knowledge exchange on effective forest management strategies to mitigate natural hazard risks and maintain ecosystem services under rapidly changing disturbance regimes in mountain forests.