In the European Alps the importance of forests as protection against ava- lanches and soil erosion is becoming ever clearer with the continuing increase in population and development of tourism. The protective potential of the moun- tain forests can currently only be partially realised because a considerable propor- tion of high-altitude stands has been destroyed in historical times by man's extensive clearing ofthe forests. The forests still remaining are of limited effec- tiveness, due to inadequate density of trees and over-maturity. Considerable efforts, however, are now being made in the...