Outlook on climate change adaptation

measures against soil erosion are addressed in the National Strategies, Environmental and Rural Programs and National Communications. Serbia and Romania explicitly refer to soil erosion in mountain areas, and suggest afforestation to address this issue (Bartholy et al., 2013; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Romania, 2014). In Poland, the protection of soil against erosion is determined by a national programme (Ministry of the Environment Poland, 2013). In 2015, Serbia introduced the Law on soil protection, which regulates the systematic monitoring of the quality of soil and its preservation (Serbian Government, 2015). The national strategies also aim for the prevention of constructions in landslide prone areas, crisis management in areas at risk, water regime adjustment to ensure vegetation cover in sensitive areas and afforestation measures to improve the surface leakage (Zámyslický et al., 2013; Hungarian Government, 2008; Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, 2016) Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Romania, 2013). Agriculture The Carpathian region must address several climate change impacts in the agricultural sector. The change in precipitation and temperature rise will lead to pressure on field crops and can trigger increasing vulnerability to pests. In addition to higher temperatures, soil erosion and extreme weather contribute to productivity losses. All countries propose sustainable agriculture in their adaptation strategies to climate change. Sustainable resource

management also includes rational land use, which contributes to biodiversity preservation, sub-surface water storage and improved rainwater infiltration (Werners et al., 2016). The KEOP project (2012), for example, supported the restoration of grasslands in the Bükk region in Hungary by changing abandoned land into mowed grassland with fruit trees. Afforestation of both abandoned and agricultural land for combating wind andwater erosion, especially in steep zones, is considered in all analysed national documents except for Serbia. This is a crosscutting measure that affects the sectors of agriculture, forestry and biodiversity. To improve irrigation, the Carpathian countries promote better irrigation systems in their national strategies. Generally, technical adaptation measures in agriculture are important tools for policymakers inPoland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The Agency for Restructuring and Modernizing Agriculture is responsible for undertaking investments in the agricultural sector and promoting energy efficient technologies in Poland (FAO, 2008). Forestry Forestry is important in the Carpathians, yet no country directly addresses climate change in its forestry legislation (Barcza et al., 2013). Although specific adaptation is scarce, significant adaptation is achieved indirectly. Measures prescribing sustainable forest management tomaintain the functions of forest ecosystems are reflected in national strategies or programmes. In Ukraine, guidelines on sustainable forest management are prescribed in the National

Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine were part of this transnational project (2011–2013) for sustainable development and ecological connectivity in the region. The project included three pilot sites, which together covered five Carpathian countries. Each pilot site consisted of two bordering protected areas. A methodology was developed for integrated forest and wetland management. This project resulted in an enhanced management of the Carpathian protected areas and the maintenance of the biological and landscape diversity. Further, the development of a joint biodiversity geo-referenced web-based information system (CCIBIS) provided a solid information basis for the decision makers at the national and transnational levels. BioRegio Carpathians Action Plan on Environmental Protection (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, 2011). Reforestation is mentioned as an adaptation strategy in all countries. Serbia’s Law on Forests prescribes that the forest users shall perform rehabilitation and reforestation measures on bare land or in areas affected by illegal clear cutting (Forest Law Serbia. Article 16.). In Romania, forest protection is guaranteed by the Forest Code, which also includes penalties and fines for illegal logging. The State Program Forests of Ukraine 2010–2015 includes afforestation measures, improvement of harvesting and use of timber (Bardarsja et al., 2013).

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