Forest biodiversity in Europe

Europe’s forests represent a fascinating variety of ecosystems, from Mediterranean evergreen scrublands and lush, temperate, deciduous forests through to conifer-dominated boreal and mountain forests. This diversity is generated primarily by variations in climate, topography, soils and natural disturbances. In Europe, the majority of forests are, or at least have been, subject to some form of human modification or management over several millennia. A large variety of land tenure and governance systems, management styles and forest uses have transformed European forests by changing their extent, structure, species composition and function. Currently, forests and other wooded lands cover almost 40% of the continent, or 227 million hectares, and host a tremendous variety of living organisms that are of utmost importance for the conservation of biodiversity on the European continent. The knowledge, experience and range of tools available across the continent to forest managers shape forestry practices and are crucial to sustain forest biodiversity as a major natural capital. This study focuses on how we can effectively maintain and enhance forest biodiversity in Europe. It looks at what is at stake, the current external and internal threats to forest biodiversity and makes recommendations for how we should respond – both in terms of forest management, and also in terms of the policy landscape and finance.