Forest Resources in Europe 1950–1990

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.

• A unique summary of 40 years of study of the forest resources of Europe by an acknowledged international expert
• Indispensable to those concerned with the management of the world's renewable resources
• Brings together economic and environmental arguments for the active management of European forests