Forest Resources in Europe (European Forest Institute Research Report, 1)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: January 27, 1995
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 168
ISBN-13: 9780521480765
Subjects: Management of land & natural resources; Plant ecology; Timber; Life Sciences - Ecology - Forest Ecology; Forestry (General); Science; Nature; Science/Mathematics; Nature/Ecology; Life Sciences - Botany; Trees & Forests - General; Forests and forestry--Europe; Nature : Trees & Forests - General; Science / Botany; Science : Life Sciences - Botany; 20th century; Europe; Forests and forestry; History
First sentence: European forests and forestry are at a stage in which both the current situation and development trends need to be analysed and the policy implications formulated.
Description: This volume provides a detailed country-by-country account of the increase in forest resources in Europe over the past forty years. This expansion, in standing volume and to a lesser extent in area, is a continuation of a trend that began during the nineteenth century. After presenting the historical developments, the author discusses the implications, should this trend be allowed to continue, for the future health and vitality of the forests, for forest policy management and silviculture, and for the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the resource. An increase in thinnings and regeneration cuttings is advocated, replacing current unstable tree species by true climatic climax species, as is a shortening of the currently over-long rotation ages. The author concludes that preserving the sustainability and biodiversity of Europe's forest ecosystems can be achieved by maintaining the genetic diversity, density, age and health stability of forests, protecting biotopes of endangered species and establishing cultural biotopes and strictly protected natural reserves.