The Relevance of Economic Data from Forest Accountancy Networks for Forest Management, Research and Politics Consultation

Multifunctional forestry in Germany is characterized by long production periods and highly complex biological–technical processes. Therefore forest enterprises are complex systems, which are closely intertwined with their economic environment. To ensure their economic success, forest enterprises and forest policies need to take the economic development into consideration. The cost accounting scheme of the German Forestry Council provides a basis for management accounting in multifunctional forest enterprises and distinguishes five different production areas whereby intercompany comparisons of different kinds of ownership in forest accountancy networks (FANs) are possible. Results from such a FAN are used to illustrate the economic situation and long-term development of a panel of private forest enterprises. As well these data can support decision-making processes of individual enterprises, forest economic analyses and consultation in forest policy analyses.