Forest Ownership Rights and Sustainable Forest Management in Lithuania: Legal, Economic, and Governance Challenges

The aim of this study is to examine the implementation of forest ownership rights in Lithuania within the context of sustainable forestry, to identify the legal, economic, and social problems arising in this process, and to evaluate approaches for strengthening the alignment between the interests of forest owners and sustainability goals. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, and semi-structured interviews were carried out with a total of 64 experts, representing eight stakeholder categories involved in forest ownership, law, administration, research, land markets, and civil society in Lithuania. The interview data were analyzed using thematic and descriptive content analysis with NVivo 14. The findings showed that legal certainty and predictability are of fundamental importance for sustainable forest management, whereas the complex structure of legislation, differences in interpretation and implementation, the economic impacts of conservation obligations, and problems of trust among stakeholders make implementation more difficult. Private forest owners particularly emphasized economic losses and restrictions on use, while other stakeholders placed greater emphasis on environmental protection and biodiversity objectives. The results indicate that legal clarity, economic balance, incentive mechanisms, and a more participatory governance structure should be addressed together to support sustainable forestry in Lithuania.