Forest Resources in Europe 1950–1990 (Research Report / European Forest Institute)

This volume provides a detailed country-by-country account of the increase in forest resources in Europe. The author discusses the implications of this expansion 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 unstable tree species by true climatic climax species, and shortening 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. Cover......Page 1 Frontmatter......Page 2 Contents......Page 8 Foreword......Page 11 Abbreviations......Page 13 Figures......Page 14 Tables......Page 15 SUMMARY......Page 16 1.1 General background......Page 19 1.2 Information base......Page 20 1.3 Countries and their groups......Page 21 2.1 Forest lands and their development trends......Page 24 2.2 Exploitable forest resources 1950--1990......Page 28 2.3 Total drain, harvest and increment in 1990......Page 36 2.4 Removals 1950 to 1990 and fellings in 1990......Page 38 2.5 Wood-assortment structure of removals in the 1980s......Page 41 2.7 The forest balance of exploitable forests......Page 45 2.8 Increment estimates and climatic potentials, 1950--1990......Page 49 2.9 Forest ownership......Page 53 2.10 Conclusions to Chapter 2......Page 56 3.1 Northern Europe......Page 62 3.2 Central Europe......Page 66 3.3 Atlantic Europe......Page 71 3.4 Sub-Atlantic Europe......Page 73 3.5 Alpic Europe......Page 76 3.6 Pannonic Europe......Page 78 3.7 Mediterranean West......Page 80 3.8 Mediterranean Middle......Page 82 3.9 Mediterranean East......Page 85 Tables and figures......Page 89 4.1 Introduction......Page 116 4.2 Ecological forest zones......Page 118 4.3 Human influence on the development of European forests......Page 129 4.4 Forest management regimes......Page 134 4.5 Stability of the current forests......Page 144 4.6 Stages of economic development......Page 153 4.7 Multi-functional management......Page 157 4.8 Forestry supporting sustainable development......Page 161 4.9 Conclusions to Chapter 4......Page 163 REFERENCES......Page 168 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. Kullervo Kuusela. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [153]-154).

This volume provides a detailed account of the increase in forest resources in Europe over the past forty years. The author discusses the implications of this expansion for the future health and vitality of the forests and for the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the resource. He advocates an increase in thinnings and regeneration cuttings, replacing currently unstable tree species with true climatic climax species, and shortening 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.

This volume describes the implications for the long-term health of the forests should the current expansion be allowed to continue and suggests active measures to ensure the sustainability and biodiversity of this important resource. 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.