5 things you need to know about Europe’s forests

Approximately 40% of Europe’s land area is covered by forests, creating a lush landscape. But a closer look at the statistics reveals a dark reality about their condition. Here are five things you probably didn’t know about the state of Europe’s forests.

1. The natural diversity of Europe’s forests is under threat

A staggering 75% of Europe’s forests contain trees of the same age, an alarming pattern. Moreover, almost a third of the EU’s forests consist of only one tree species, mainly conifers. This uniformity, caused by intensive industrial forest management practices, has dire consequences for these precious ecosystems.

2. European forests are losing their native and tallest trees.

More than half of Europe’s endemic trees, which exist nowhere else on earth, are at risk of extinction, including the iconic horse chestnut, European ash and rowan. At the same time, we are losing Europe’s tallest forests. The diverse and ecologically valuable natural forests that once flourished on the continent are being replaced by tightly managed forests, with fewer fast-growing tree species and fewer trees of uniform age. has a major impact on biodiversity.

3. Europe’s forests are becoming increasingly vulnerable

Industrial forestry significantly reduces the complexity of Europe’s forests and impacts the diversity of plants and animals. This lack of diversity weakens forest resilience, resulting in more than 60% of trees being threatened by fire, pests and storms. Since the late 20th century, canopy mortality has doubled.

Forests with a diversity of tree species, ages and growth stages are more resilient to climate crises and disturbances and store more carbon. Additionally, these diverse forests play an important role in purifying air, filtering water, controlling floods, preventing erosion, and conserving biodiversity.

4. Europe has already lost 97% of its virgin forests.

Primeval forests and other forests of high natural value are some of the richest forest environments. These forests play a vital role in maintaining the health of Earth’s ecosystems and act as a protective barrier against the effects of climate and natural crises. Unfortunately, primary and primary forests within the EU are limited in size, rare, and only exist in fragmented pockets, accounting for less than 3% of the EU’s total forest area.

5. Europe’s forest biodiversity is in alarming decline

Instead of being vibrant places of biodiversity, unsustainable but still widespread industrial forestry has turned our forests into habitats where many species can no longer survive. According to BirdLife International, more than a quarter of all bird species associated with forest habitats are in decline. For example, the European mink and Bavarian pine vole are both on the verge of extinction. Many more are vulnerable or at risk.

Deforestation, clear-cutting, and removal of habitat trees, dead trees, and stumps have significant negative impacts on forest-dependent species, including insects, mammals, non-vascular plants (such as mosses, hornworts, and liverworts) and breeding birds. .

The current state of Europe’s forests requires urgent and decisive action. Greedy corporations, supported by banks providing billions of euros, are exploiting and destroying nature in Europe and around the world. It’s time to take a stand against the profiteers who are putting our well-being and biodiversity at risk.

European decision-makers must take seriously their responsibility to protect and restore Europe’s forests. For starters, we must immediately stop exploiting virgin forests and move toward more natural forestry to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

Government action is urgently needed to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, stop profiteering and put nature first.

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Emma Pettersson is a Senior Digital Campaigner in Greenpeace’s European Food, Forests and Nature team, based in Sweden.