Europe’s forests cover approximately 160 million hectares across the EU-27. These woodlands constitute the continent’s largest terrestrial ecosystem, shaping its environment and supporting a wide array of life. They are a part of Europe’s natural inheritance, offering diverse ecosystems shaped over centuries by both natural processes and human interaction. Their scale and importance underscore their role in the continent’s ecological balance and future sustainability.
Diverse European Forest Types
Europe’s diverse climates and geographies result in various forest types. Boreal forests, or Taiga, are prevalent in northern parts, particularly Russia and Fennoscandia. These coniferous forests are dominated by species like Scots pine and Norway spruce, adapted to cold temperatures and short summers.
Further south, temperate deciduous forests characterize much of Central Europe, featuring broad-leaved trees that shed leaves seasonally. Examples include European beech and various oak woodlands. Mixed forests, a blend of coniferous and deciduous trees, also occur in these temperate zones.
Mediterranean forests, found in southern regions, are adapted to dry, hot summers and mild, humid winters. These include sclerophyllous evergreen forests, such as those dominated by Quercus ilex, and coniferous forests with pines, cypress, and cedars. The European Forest Type scheme aggregates these into 14 categories, encompassing 78 distinct forest types, illustrating the continent’s rich arboreal diversity.
Europe’s Forests and Their Ecological Functions
European forests perform many environmental roles. They function as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change. EU forests alone absorb the equivalent of 7% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Forests are also important for maintaining biodiversity, providing habitats for countless plant and animal species. Primary and old-growth forests, though less than 4% of Europe’s forest area, are important for biodiversity due to their stability and resistance to disturbances. Forests also contribute to the water cycle by regulating surface runoff, preventing flash floods, and ensuring a gradual release of water, preventing drought effects.
Forests play a role in soil stability, preventing erosion by holding soil with their root systems and reducing the direct impact of rain. They also influence local climate regulation through evapotranspiration, which involves absorbing solar heat. This suite of ecological services provided by European forests underscores their significance.
Economic Value of European Forests
European forests contribute to the continent’s economy, supporting various industries and livelihoods. Timber and other wood products, such as pulp and biomass, form a large part of this value. The forest-based sector represents 8% of EU manufacturing. This sector also provides income for approximately 16 million forest owners and creates 3 to 4 million jobs, many in rural areas.
Beyond wood, non-wood forest products (NWFPs) also hold economic importance. These include berries, mushrooms, cork, and medicinal plants. In 2015, the total value of NWFPs in the FOREST EUROPE region reached €2.28 billion, with plant products accounting for 73% of this value.
Forests are also important for tourism and recreation, offering opportunities for activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and general well-being. The economic value of NWFP picking alone was estimated at €23.3 billion annually across 28 European countries, comparable to 70.7% of the annual economic value of roundwood removals. These contributions highlight the broad economic impact of Europe’s forests.
Current Factors Affecting European Forests
European forests face external factors influencing their health and extent. Climate change increases the risk and intensity of forest fires across the continent. While fire control efforts have shown effectiveness in the Mediterranean region, recent years have seen large fires in central and northern Europe, often coinciding with droughts and heatwaves.
Pest outbreaks also pose a threat, with climate change potentially leading to increased frequencies and intensities of insect-pest outbreaks. For example, warmer temperatures can accelerate the life cycle of many pests, allowing for more generations within a year. Changes in precipitation patterns, including more frequent and extreme events, can also affect forest health and vulnerability to disturbances.
Land-use changes, such as urban expansion and conversion for agriculture, continue to impact forest areas. Although the net total forest area in the EU has increased by almost 10% since 1990, this growth has slowed due to reduced conversion of agricultural land. Air pollution also affects forest ecosystems, contributing to habitat and biodiversity loss. These factors present challenges for the future of Europe’s forests.
Protecting Europe’s Forests Through Sustainable Practices
Efforts to safeguard European forests involve various approaches and methods, centered on sustainable forest management. This concept integrates ecological, economic, and social considerations to ensure long-term health and productivity. Practices like selective logging, which involves harvesting individual trees or small groups, help maintain forest continuity and heterogeneity, unlike large clear-felling which is preferably limited to 0.25 hectares.
Reforestation and afforestation initiatives are also underway, with the EU committed to planting at least 3 billion additional trees by 2030. These guidelines aim to support biodiversity-friendly tree planting on agricultural land, forest land, and even urban environments. Protected areas and biodiversity conservation programs also play a role, particularly for primary and old-growth forests, which are recognized for their rich biodiversity and carbon storage.
Relevant European Union policies, such as the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, aim to improve the quantity and quality of forests, strengthen their protection, and enhance their resilience to climate change. These strategies promote a sustainable forest bioeconomy, encourage non-wood forest products, and support research and innovation for effective forest conservation solutions. Such comprehensive approaches are designed to ensure forests continue to deliver their socio-economic functions and maintain vibrant rural areas.