Global Climate Change and Human Impacts on Forest Ecosystems: Postglacial Development, Present Situation and Future Trends in Central Europe

To judge the future development of forest ecosystems, their history, state, as well as changes in their boundary conditions have to be taken into account. For centuries man has utilized and often overutilized forests. During the last 100-200 years, forests in Central Europe have been intensively managed and at the same time subjected to deposition of acidity and nitrogen compounds from air pollution. In addition, we are currently witnessing a climate change which seems to be generated by man-made emission of greenhouse gases. This volume presents relevant information on the development of central European forest ecosystems in a historical perspective, and it reviews the ongoing environmental changes and their potential impacts. Further, scenarios on the future of Central European forest ecosystems and the options for a sustainable forest management are discussed.