Forest Resources in Europe 19501990 [Paperback]

Provides detailed information on Europe's forest resources and suggests suitable management strategies.Contrary to popular belief, Europe's forests have been expanding over the past century. This volume describes the situation since 1950 and examines the negative implications for the health of the forests should this expansion be allowed to continue. The author concludes that active forestry measures need to be taken to ensure the sustainability and biodiversity of this resource, including its regular rejuvination, the protection of genetic resources and endangered species, and the establishment of more natural reserves.Contrary to popular belief, Europe's forests have been expanding over the past century. This volume describes the situation since 1950 and examines the negative implications for the health of the forests should this expansion be allowed to continue. The author concludes that active forestry measures need to be taken to ensure the sustainability and biodiversity of this resource, including its regular rejuvination, the protection of genetic resources and endangered species, and the establishment of more natural reserves.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.Foreword; Abbreviations; Figures; Tabllã~