Young People in European Forests

Flashcards about European Forests, forestry, and forest management.

European Forests

Europe is a green oasis in the world where forests have increased since the XVIII century.

Tendency in Europe

Move away from the typical aspect of using the forest solely for timber production, focusing more on ecological aspects.

Types of European Forests

Northern and mountain spruce forests, the endless terrain of pine forests, the multi species forests on highlands and mountains, the long stretches of riparian forests, the Mediterranean evergreen bushes of macchia, and even some remains of ancient forests.

First traces of settlement

8000 years old in southeastern Europe, 6000 years later in the northern part of the continent.

Later Settlements in the North

People preferred fertile soils in valleys and plains as farmland leaving less accessible slopes and wetlands as meadows and pastures.

Changes in Europe’s forested land during the XVIII and XIX centuries

Mining and railway connection were undergoing intensive development. New forms of industry appeared based on huge amounts of timber.

Impact of trains on deforestation

Trains became a new and convenient form of transporting wood, independently of the waterways used for floating down timber. Mass deforestation was also caused by the development of paper and textile industries, which used wood in chemical processing.

Forest Cover in Europe

Forest cover in certain European countries ranges from 86 % in Finland to 7 % in Ireland. That gives an average of 35 % in Western Europe and 47 % for the whole of the continent.

Water retention of a tree

The crown of a single large tree can hold up to 500 litres of water.

Remnants of Natural Forests

Oak and beech forests (south England and highland Wales), or pine (Scotland), all of which are treated as natural monuments.

Fertile Lowland Forests in Europe

Białowieża Forest in Poland and Belarus and also New Forest in Hampshire, Great Britain, one of the oldest forests to be protected for hunting (since the XI century).

Highest Percentage of Private Forests

Norway, Sweden and Finland, and also in France and Austria, the percentage of public forests does not exceed 30%.

Forest ownership

The State as a dominant owner can follow non profitable policies in relation to forestry in order to keep the society happy.

Plant formations in Europe are influenced by

Oceanic climate in the western part of the continent and the continental climate in the east.

Scandinavia and Mountain Areas (Austria, Germany, Switzerland)

European countries that commonly dominate in monospecific coniferous forests due to climate and soil.

European countries where deciduous species play a greater role

Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia (80 %), Hungary and Italy (70 %).

Growing Stock

Volume of the total standing timber at a particular time. Only wood suitable for processing is usually calculated, excluding thinner branches.

Average Growing Stock in Europe

140m3/ha

Tree stands providing firewood

Located mainly in southern Europe - in France, Italy and Greece.

Diversity of species in the forests

The problem for some of the forests is the large number of alien species.

Virgin Forests in Europe

Virgin forests which are not affected by man account for about 4% of all forests of Europe, although defining what a virgin forest is varies among different countries. Most of them grow in places difficult to public access as in northern Scandinavia, northern areas of the European part of Russia, the Alps and the Balkans.

European Plantations

Countries with many plantation crops are those with a well-developed alien species cultivation (Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ireland, France and Portugal).

Primary Problem for German Forests

Germany to Climate change is the main problem for the German forests. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions such as heat, drought and storms, pose a significant threat. As a result, the trees are getting weaker and give way to pest infestations, like insects and fungi.

Nature conservation and Policy framework

European policy regarding protected areas is mostly the product of initiatives from two main sources: the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, and the European Union itself.

The World Heritage Convention links nature conservation with

The preservation of cultural properties.

Protected Area

Any area of sea, lakes, rivers or land that has been identified as important for conservation of nature, and managed for this purpose.

IUCN Protected Areas Management Categories

There are seven different protected area categories, based on management objectives.

IUCN category Ia: Strict Nature Reserve

Strictly protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity.

IUCN category II: National Park

Large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large- scale ecological processes.

IUCN category III: Natural Monument or Feature

Protected areas set aside to protect a specific natural monument.

IUCN category IV: Habitat/Species Management Area

Protected areas aiming to protect particular species or habitats, their management reflects this priority.

IUCN category V: Protected Landscape/Seascape

A protected area where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant, ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value.

IUCN category VI: Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources

Protected areas that conserve ecosystems and habitats together with associated cultural values and traditional natural resource management systems.

Natura 2000

An EU-wide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.

Ecosystem coverage in protected areas in Europe

Forest ecosystems account for the largest share of nationally designated areas in EEA countries, while Agro-ecosystems are the next largest.

Forests and Natural Hazards in Austria

The mountain country of Austria (50% are mountain forests), Alpine natural hazards are a serious threat to people in some areas. Natural hazards such as floods, debris flow, avalanches, landslides and rock fall threaten people, their settlements, economic activities and traffic routes. Forests protect people against these natural hazards!

Distribution of tree species in Austria

54% Spruce, 2% Fir, 5% Larch, Pine 6%, other conifers 1%; 10% Red beech, 2% Oak, 10% other deciduous.

The Names of the six National Parks in Austria

Hohe Tauern, Kalk Alps, Gesaeuse, Thaya Valley, Danube Floodplain and Lake – Neusiedl – Seewinkel.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic belongs to the group of smaller countries in Europe, although it has a large amount of natural resources including a diverse and rich forest bioceonosis.

Protective forests in the Czech Republic

Forest at extremely unfavourable stands, on its existential borders and also forests occurred close to the upper border of a tree line.

Ownership Structure in the Czech Republic

The largest percentage of forest (60%) belongs to the state., i.e. the state company Forests of the Czech Republic, Military Forests and Farms and National Parks Authorities.

Tallest Scots pine in Estonia

The world’s tallest Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), (46.6 m), grows in southern Estonia in the Ootsipalu valley.

Forest loss in Estonia

Forest loss was mainly due to the use of land for agricultural purposes.

Forestry sector in Estonia

For every Estonian there is 1.7 ha of forest. One out of 15 Estonian people work in forestry.

Hans Carl von Carlowitz

Known as the founder of the principle of sustainability.

Dominant Tree Groupings

Oak, Beech, Other hardwood trees, Spruce, Pine.

Climate Change

Is increasing the risk of another insect gradation caused by a species with unknown economical impact.

Forest and Woodland in Greece

Forests and woodland account for 49% of the country’s territory, 57% of which are deciduous and 43% conifers.

Phrygana

Open dwarf shrub dominated by low, often cushion-shaped, aromatic, spiny or grey-leaved shrub.

Flora diversity in Greece

In Greece there are about 6.900 species and sub-species of vascular plants. Endemic species and sub-species in Greece are over 1.300.

Hungary's most characteristic regions

The most characteristic regions in Hungary are the Northern and Transdanubian Mountains of medium height and the two basins: the Great Plain and the Small Plain. The slopes of the two mountains are mostly covered with forests.

Oaks (Quercus sp.) in Hungary

The most typical species in the country form mixed forest stands with a number of other species.

Game stock in Hungry

Game stock is a vital part of forest biocenosis.

Legal Protection of Hungarian Territory

Nearly 10% of the national territory is under legal protection.

Forest Area of Hungary

Large-scale afforestation and tree planting carried out under the supervision of professional foresters.

Specially Protected Natural Areas in Latvia

There are 684 specially protected natural areas approved by law or regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Forest Ownership in Lithuania

Almost half of forests (49,8%) are the forest of State importance and managed by State Forest Enterprises.

Species Domination in Polish Forests

Pine dominates in lowlands, whereas spruce dominates in highlands and mountains.

Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Portugal

The largest burned area during 2017 wildfires, to 22% of the total area of the Park.