Ecosystem functions of forests in Prague and their valuation

Forest is an irreplaceable constituent of the environment. In the conditions of the Czech Republic it covers approximately a third of the country’s area. Forests fulfil a range of functions that we call ecosystem services. Their basic division is into market and non-market services. Looking for forest stands with dominant non-market forest functions a typical example is the territory of Prague City with special-purpose forests and their high attendance and utilization throughout the year. This publication aims at summarizing the main findings about the extremely high significance of forests in the territory of Prague City and their main ecosystem functions of which those standing in the forefront include recreation and nature conservation. The monograph is intended for both general and expert public. Therefore the ecosystem services need to be defined in detail and their significance and value in such an exposed territory should be characterized. The procedure should lead to their further promotion and system support while achieving sustainable development.