Marco MarchettiMarco Marchetti

Italian Academy of Forest Sciences, IUFRO 4.02.00 & University oItalian Academy of Forest Sciences, IUFRO 4.02.00 & University of Molisef Molise

European Forest Types: European Forest Types: definitions, criteria and definitions, criteria and

structure of forest classificationstructure of forest classification

““Workshop on Pan Workshop on Pan EuropeanEuropean understandingunderstanding of of forestforest classificationclassification””1313--15 15 NovemberNovember, , BledBled, Slovenia, Slovenia

UNECEFAO

GeneralGeneral contextcontext

toto evaluate and report on evaluate and report on progress towards implementing progress towards implementing SFM in the panSFM in the pan--European regionEuropean region

PoliticalPoliticalframeworkframework

IMPROVED IMPROVED PANPAN--EUROPEAN EUROPEAN

INDICATORSINDICATORSFOR SUSTAINABLE FOR SUSTAINABLE

FOREST MANAGEMENTFOREST MANAGEMENT

Data processingData processingtoto meetmeet MCPFEMCPFE

reporting reporting obligationsobligations

IMPROVED IMPROVED PANPAN--EUROPEAN EUROPEAN

INDICATORSINDICATORSFOR SUSTAINABLE FOR SUSTAINABLE

FOREST MANAGEMENTFOREST MANAGEMENT

Data Data acquisitionacquisition((NFIsNFIs, ,

management management plansplans,,etc.)etc.)

Data Data provisionprovisiontoto MCPFEMCPFE

forfor the the elaborationelaborationof of periodicalperiodical

reportsreports

MCPFE MCPFE indicatorsindicators reportingreportingformatformat

FOREST TYPE SPECIFICATIONFOREST TYPE SPECIFICATION

Volume of standing deadwood and of lying deadwood on forest and other wooded land classified by forest type

4.5 Deadwood4.5 Deadwood

Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by “undisturbed by man”, by “semi-natural” or by “plantations”, each by forest type

4.3 Naturalness4.3 Naturalness

Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by number of tree species occurring and by forest type

4.1 Tree species 4.1 Tree species compositioncomposition

C 4: Maintenance, Conservation and Appropriate Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Forest Ecosystems

Forest and other wooded land with damage, classified by primary damaging agent (abiotic, biotic and human induced) and by forest type

2.4 Forest damage2.4 Forest damageC 2: Maintenance of Forest Ecosystem Health and Vitality

Age structure and/or diameter distribution of forest and other wooded land, classified by forest type and by availability for wood supply

1.3 Age structure 1.3 Age structure and/or diameter and/or diameter distributiondistribution

Growing stock on forest and other wooded land, classified by forest type and by availability for wood supply

1.2 Growing stock1.2 Growing stock

Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by forest type and by availability for wood supply, and share of forest and other wooded land in total land area

1.1 Forest area1.1 Forest areaC 1: Maintenance and Appropriate Enhancement of Forest Resources and their Contribution to Global Carbon Cycles

Although Although forest typesforest types are not yet formally defined by are not yet formally defined by the MCPFEthe MCPFE, they are considered as a , they are considered as a key tool for key tool for improving the assessment and monitoring of forest improving the assessment and monitoring of forest biological diversity in Europebiological diversity in Europe

Cf. Vienna Resolution 4 (MCPFE, 2005):Cf. Vienna Resolution 4 (MCPFE, 2005):

‘‘((……) need of) need of improving existing international forest improving existing international forest classification, through developing a panclassification, through developing a pan--European European understanding on forest classification systems including understanding on forest classification systems including forest types, forest types, naturalness and introduced forest species, naturalness and introduced forest species, in line with the Panin line with the Pan--European Criteria and Indicators for European Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest ManagementSustainable Forest Management’’

LimitationLimitation of of present present forestforest typestypessome some considerationsconsiderations

Today, Today, the forest typesthe forest typesadopted foradopted forMCPFE reporting areMCPFE reporting are

3 3 broadbroadclassesclasses

broadleaved forest, broadleaved forest, coniferous forest, coniferous forest,

mixed broadleaved mixed broadleaved andand coniferous forestconiferous forest

a very feasible solution to a very feasible solution to standardize forest information on a standardize forest information on a

global and Panglobal and Pan--European level,European level,but but

poorly informativepoorly informative

EuropeanEuropean forestforest area =area =1004 1004 millionmillion haha

Present forest typesPresent forest typesmake flat make flat the the

variabilityvariability in natural in natural conditions and conditions and anthropogenic anthropogenic

influences affecting influences affecting MCPFE indicatorsMCPFE indicators……limiting data qualitylimiting data quality

ForestForest area (area (indicatorindicator 1.1)1.1)

In 2003 MCPFE report, figures on recent changes In 2003 MCPFE report, figures on recent changes in forest area are reported for in forest area are reported for ten countries of ten countries of northern and central Europenorthern and central Europe by coniferous, by coniferous, broadleaved and mixed forest typesbroadleaved and mixed forest typesrelative changes in total forest area range from relative changes in total forest area range from 0.10.1 to to 5.6%5.6% depending on countriesdepending on countriesrelative changes by forest types show a larger relative changes by forest types show a larger range of variation: range of variation:

coniferousconiferous forest area from forest area from +2,6+2,6 to to +59,3%+59,3%broadleavedbroadleaved forest area from forest area from --2,22,2 to to +28,3%+28,3%mixedmixed forest area from forest area from --54,754,7 to to +180%+180%

tricky data interpretationtricky data interpretation::is this a good sign for is this a good sign for SFM?SFM?What is the origin of What is the origin of forest expansion?forest expansion?Natural colonisation of Natural colonisation of abandoned farmland? abandoned farmland? Afforestation of former Afforestation of former agricultural landagricultural land ((forest forest plantationsplantations, , sensusensu MCPFE MCPFE indicator 4.3)?indicator 4.3)?Both?Both?

ForestForest area (area (indicatorindicator 1.1)1.1)

Apparently encouraging Apparently encouraging figures becomes figures becomes deceptivedeceptive without without any any reference to the origin of reference to the origin of the phenomenonthe phenomenonthe the increase of forest increase of forest plantationsplantations, though it , though it would make a significant would make a significant contribution to wood contribution to wood supply in some countries, supply in some countries, may produce negative may produce negative impacts on local impacts on local biodiversity especially biodiversity especially when introducedwhen introduced, species , species are usedare used

ForestForest area (area (indicatorindicator 1.1)1.1)

TreeTree speciesspecies compositioncomposition ((indicatorindicator 4.1)4.1)

The indicator is used as a The indicator is used as a proxy variableproxy variable for the for the species diversityspecies diversity of the of the forest communityforest community

Key factors affecting Key factors affecting variation in tree species variation in tree species composition are:composition are:natural factorsnatural factors (climate, (climate, edaphicedaphic and hydrological and hydrological site conditions, stage of site conditions, stage of stand development)stand development)present and past human present and past human activityactivity (forestry (forestry intensity, agrointensity, agro--forestry, forestry, grazing)grazing)

InIn high latitudes, high latitudes, altitudes, or under altitudes, or under certain ecological certain ecological limiting conditionslimiting conditions((peatlandpeatland, poor soils) , poor soils) singlesingle--species, mainly species, mainly coniferousconiferous, forests , forests naturally dominatenaturally dominate

TreeTree speciesspecies compositioncomposition ((indicatorindicator 4.1)4.1)

mixed forest is naturally mixed forest is naturally more frequentmore frequent in central and in central and southern Europe, southern Europe, in in broadleaved deciduous and broadleaved deciduous and in mixed evergreen forest in mixed evergreen forest zoneszones

edaphicedaphic variationvariation, from , from poor to rich soils, and poor to rich soils, and hydrological site conditionshydrological site conditions −−from wet to dry soils from wet to dry soils −− are are further key factors of further key factors of variation in species variation in species compositioncomposition

TreeTree speciesspecies compositioncomposition ((indicatorindicator 4.1)4.1)

InterpretationInterpretation of of figuresfigures

The The presence of species mixtures alone does not presence of species mixtures alone does not means, in itself, higher forest naturalnessmeans, in itself, higher forest naturalness

the indicator the indicator ‘‘tree species compositiontree species composition’’ should be should be used not to assess if the number of tree species is used not to assess if the number of tree species is good, bad, adequategood, bad, adequate

rather, to evaluate therather, to evaluate the progress made by forest progress made by forest management in favouring the establishment of tree management in favouring the establishment of tree species mixtures, species mixtures, given given certain ecological conditionscertain ecological conditionsand and intensity of management regimesintensity of management regimes

WhyWhy do do wewe needneed more more specificspecific forestforest typestypes??

JustificationJustification

To do justice to the state of forests To do justice to the state of forests and sustainable forest management in and sustainable forest management in EuropeEuropethe variety in European forests should the variety in European forests should

be taken into accountbe taken into account

this variety, is reflected by thethis variety, is reflected by thevalues taken by MCPFE indicators in values taken by MCPFE indicators in

different localitiesdifferent localities((i.e. under different natural and i.e. under different natural and anthropogenic determinants)anthropogenic determinants)

to better reflect this variety to better reflect this variety the MCPFE reporting the MCPFE reporting requires forest types requires forest types

more soundly ecologically framedmore soundly ecologically framedthan the three broad species groups than the three broad species groups

adopted so faradopted so far

EuropeanEuropean Forest TypesForest Types= =

14 classes of European forests growing under 14 classes of European forests growing under relatively homogeneous ecological conditions relatively homogeneous ecological conditions

(climatic, (climatic, edaphicedaphic) and levels of anthropogenic ) and levels of anthropogenic modificationmodification

ProposalProposal forfor future future MCPFE MCPFE reportingreporting

IncreasedIncreased qualityquality of of information information providedprovided toto policypolicy makersmakers and and toto

the the largelarge publicpublic

DefinitionsDefinitions and and criteriacriteria

behind the behind the proposedproposed forestforestclassificationclassification

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

Forest types = Forest types = ‘‘A category of forest defined by its A category of forest defined by its composition, and/or site factors (locality),composition, and/or site factors (locality), as categorized by as categorized by each country in a system each country in a system suitable to its situationsuitable to its situation’’ (The (The Montreal Process, 1998)Montreal Process, 1998)Forest types are a Forest types are a flexible approach to collect and organise flexible approach to collect and organise forest informationforest information in a given region, according to a in a given region, according to a typology typology useful for understanding differences which are relevant to a useful for understanding differences which are relevant to a specific applicationspecific application

DELINEATION CRITERIADELINEATION CRITERIA

To delineate forest types suitable for To delineate forest types suitable for MCPFE reporting MCPFE reporting the primary determinants of variation in MCPFE indicators on a Pan-European scale have have been identified (been identified (keykey--factors, factors, sensusensuLarsson et al., 2001Larsson et al., 2001))

PrimaryPrimary determinantsdeterminantschanges of the existing/spontaneous vegetation of a site to an artificial stock of trees (afforestation or reforestation⇒ forest plantation) or to self-sown stands of exotic specieschanges of ecological forest zones influencing the natural tree-species composition, the length of the growing season (i.e. growing stock), decomposition rate and natural disturbance regimes (i.e deadwood type and amount)variation in management systems (silviculture, agro-forestry) is considered as further anthropogenic factor affecting forest structure and composition

StructureStructure

of the of the forestforest classificationclassification

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 141 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

14 Top 14 Top levellevel classesclasses forfor the MCPFE the MCPFE reportingreporting (CATEGORIES)(CATEGORIES)

76 76 lowlow levellevel classesclasses (TYPES) (TYPES) toto describe and document the variety describe and document the variety of forest communities that each category comprisesof forest communities that each category comprises

Types are intended to stratify national forest data, Types are intended to stratify national forest data, the 14 categories the 14 categories

to report on MCPFE indicatorsto report on MCPFE indicators

ClassificationClassification schemescheme

High

erH

igher

natu

ralness

natu

ralness

Lowest

Lowest

natu

ralness

natu

ralness

14. Plantations and self-sown exotic forest

1. Boreal forest2. Hemiboreal and nemoral coniferous and

mixed broadleaved-coniferous forest 3. Alpine coniferous forest 4. Acidophilous oak and oak-birch forest5. Mesophytic deciduous forest 6. Beech forest 7. Montane beech forest 8. Thermophilous deciduous forest9. Broadleaved evergreen forest10. Coniferous forests of the Mediterranean,

Anatolian and Macaronesian regions11. Mire and swamp forest12. Floodplain forest13. Non-riverine alder, birch or aspen forest

13 classesof forest of dominated bynative tree species

14 14 CategoriesCategories

ImportantImportant breakingbreaking point point of of naturalnessnaturalness

CategoriesCategories are defined by are defined by a unique a unique interplay of forest ecological conditions interplay of forest ecological conditions and anthropogenic influences that and anthropogenic influences that ‘‘drivedrive’’the MCPFE indicators variation along a the MCPFE indicators variation along a characteristic patterncharacteristic pattern; a pattern that ; a pattern that distinguish each category from the othersdistinguish each category from the others

MeaningMeaning of of categorycategory 1414

Cat 14 Cat 14 = = plantation forestsplantation forests (as defined in MCPFE) + self(as defined in MCPFE) + self--sown stands of sown stands of exotic speciesexotic species

The low level of naturalnessThe low level of naturalness of the class is related to:of the class is related to:-- simplification of forest structuresimplification of forest structure, because plantations forest basically , because plantations forest basically

consist of evenconsist of even--aged, often aged, often monospecificmonospecific stands, established with stands, established with regularly spaced treesregularly spaced trees

-- relevant modification of site genetic variety of the localityrelevant modification of site genetic variety of the locality, as the genetic , as the genetic variability of the plantation is usually lower and different frovariability of the plantation is usually lower and different from that of m that of spontaneous vegetationspontaneous vegetation

-- relevant modification in site species compositionrelevant modification in site species composition, when the , when the native native vegetation is replaced by forest stands predominantly consistingvegetation is replaced by forest stands predominantly consisting of nonof non--nativenative (or (or nonnon--indigenous, exotic, introducedindigenous, exotic, introduced) ) treestrees, e.g. , e.g. RobiniaRobinia, , EucalyptusEucalyptus, , PiceaPicea sitchensissitchensis, , PinusPinus contortacontorta, , PseudotsugaPseudotsuga menziesiimenziesii

Cat. 1Cat. 1--10 & 13 = 10 & 13 = groups of groups of ecologically distinct ecologically distinct forests communitiesforests communitiesdominated by dominated by specific assemblages specific assemblages of native tree of native tree speciesspecies

Their Their physiognomy is physiognomy is mainly determined mainly determined by the by the latitudinal/altitudinal latitudinal/altitudinal zonationzonation of of European vegetation European vegetation and by inner climatic and by inner climatic and and edaphicedaphicvariation thereinvariation therein

CategoriesCategories 11--10 & 1310 & 13

1. Boreal forest2. Hemiboreal and nemoral coniferous and

mixed broadleaved-coniferous forest 3. Alpine coniferous forest 4. Acidophilous oak and oak-birch forest5. Mesophytic deciduous forest 6. Beech forest 7. Montane beech forest 8. Thermophilous deciduous forest9. Broadleaved evergreen forest10. Coniferous forests of the Mediterranean,

Anatolian and Macaronesian regions11. Mire and swamp forest12. Floodplain forest13. Non-riverine alder, birch or aspen forest

CategoriesCategories and and vegetationvegetation zoneszones: : influenceinfluence on on MCPFE MCPFE indicatorsindicators

Vegetation zones have a significant influence on Vegetation zones have a significant influence on forest productivityforest productivity (e.g. different length of the (e.g. different length of the growing season); accordingly, a natural gradient growing season); accordingly, a natural gradient in the average stem volume is found along in the average stem volume is found along latitude (MCPFE, 2003)latitude (MCPFE, 2003)More in general, More in general, climatic and climatic and edaphicedaphic variabilityvariabilitycan be regarded as the can be regarded as the natural drivernatural driver of the of the pattern of the MCPFE indicators: number of pattern of the MCPFE indicators: number of forest occurring species, growing stock, forest occurring species, growing stock, deadwood amount deadwood amount

1. Boreal foresttemperature and length of the temperature and length of the growing seasongrowing season are the main are the main climatic variables which determine climatic variables which determine forest productivityforest productivity

the the harsh climatic conditionsharsh climatic conditions affect affect forest composition, forest composition, dominated by dominated by two conifers speciestwo conifers species ((PiceaPicea abiesabies, , PinusPinus sylvestrissylvestris) in mature stages ) in mature stages of forest successionof forest succession

deciduous treesdeciduous trees including birches including birches ((BetulaBetula sppspp.), aspen (.), aspen (PopulusPopulustremulatremula), rowan (), rowan (SorbusSorbusaucupariaaucuparia) and willows () and willows (SalixSalixsppspp.) .) tend to occur as early tend to occur as early colonisers colonisers of bare ground or in theof bare ground or in theearly stages early stages of forest successionof forest succession

under natural conditions, forest under natural conditions, forest fires fires repeated with cyclicalrepeated with cyclicalfrequency regulate thefrequency regulate the dynamic of dynamic of boreal coniferous forestboreal coniferous forest

most of the most of the boreal forest is boreal forest is managed as evenmanaged as even--aged forestaged forest for for commercial forestrycommercial forestry

2. Hemiboreal and nemoral coniferousand mixed broadleaved-coniferous forest

It includes the It includes the latitudinal mixed forestslatitudinal mixed forests located in between the boreal and located in between the boreal and nemoralnemoral forest zones (forest zones (hemiborealhemiboreal forest) and forest) and anthropogenic coniferous anthropogenic coniferous forestforest in the in the nemoralnemoral zonezone

the light regime and length of the growing season the light regime and length of the growing season are the main climatic are the main climatic variablesvariables controlling forest productivitycontrolling forest productivity

the the hemiborealhemiboreal forest is featured by the forest is featured by the coexistence of boreal coniferous coexistence of boreal coniferous species with temperate broadleaved tree speciesspecies with temperate broadleaved tree species ((QuercusQuercus roburrobur, , FraxinusFraxinusexcelsiorexcelsior, , UlmusUlmus glabraglabra, , TiliaTilia cordatacordata) )

the structure and composition of the category forests the structure and composition of the category forests is affected by a is affected by a complex interplay of natural and anthropogenic influencescomplex interplay of natural and anthropogenic influences

2: Nemoral Scots pine forest

14: Plantation forest of Scots pine

coniferous forest is verywidespread in the nemoral zone (scots pine, spruce, black pine)

this «replacement forest»mainly originate from the large reforestation projects initiated in the 18th and 19th

in the stands no longer intensively managed for timber and/or of old age and low intensity of forestry somewhatnatural features develop

NemoralNemoral coniferousconiferous forestforest::originorigin

Natural features: e.g. Natural features: e.g. significant significant ingrowthingrowth of selfof self--sown trees, mixed tree canopy sown trees, mixed tree canopy composition, uneven aged composition, uneven aged diameter distribution;diameter distribution;often managed asoften managed as conversion conversion forestforest

typical plantationtypical plantation--like structure like structure intensively managedintensively managed

3. Alpine coniferous forestCold and harsh climate (short growing Cold and harsh climate (short growing seasons) characterizes the high seasons) characterizes the high altitudes of the Alpine region of altitudes of the Alpine region of Europe, making it similar to the boreal Europe, making it similar to the boreal zone, except for the light regime and zone, except for the light regime and length of the daylength of the day

this determines similar this determines similar altitudinal altitudinal vegetation beltsvegetation belts, though at differing , though at differing altitudes, on all alpine mountain altitudes, on all alpine mountain rangesranges

forest tree species composition vary forest tree species composition vary with the vegetation beltswith the vegetation belts((montane/subalpinemontane/subalpine) and site ) and site ecological conditions. In addition to ecological conditions. In addition to boreal conifers, boreal conifers, LarixLarix deciduadecidua PinusPinuscembracembra, , P. P. nigranigra and and P. P. mugomugo are the are the naturally dominant speciesnaturally dominant species

variation in variation in regeneration patternsregeneration patterns and and horizontal clustering is also related to horizontal clustering is also related to vegetation beltsvegetation belts

the management of the management of eveneven--aged stands aged stands predominates; selection cutting predominates; selection cutting management management is practised only in is practised only in small small areas of productive forestareas of productive forestcharacterized by mixed forest spruce, characterized by mixed forest spruce, fir and beech compositionfir and beech composition

Broadleaved deciduous forest and mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest

Cat. 4Cat. 4--8 occur in the 8 occur in the nemoralnemoral (or (or temperatetemperate) ) zone and zone and supramediterraneansupramediterranean vegetation vegetation belt (approx. 40belt (approx. 40°° N to 60N to 60°° N)N)

Radiation, light and temperature regimesRadiation, light and temperature regimes, , oceanic influencesoceanic influences (in the west) and (in the west) and continental influencescontinental influences (in the east) (in the east) determine determine growing conditionsgrowing conditions

the the temperate climate increases the temperate climate increases the competitive ability of broadleaved deciduous competitive ability of broadleaved deciduous trees over coniferstrees over conifers

the the difference between annual precipitation difference between annual precipitation and potential evaporation is and potential evaporation is anan important important factorfactor controlling tree growthcontrolling tree growth

yieldsyields are therefore are therefore higher in the western higher in the western part of the zonepart of the zone, under oceanic influence, , under oceanic influence, than in the souththan in the south--eastern part where eastern part where potential evaporation exceeds precipitation potential evaporation exceeds precipitation

soil parent material are varied and richer soil parent material are varied and richer than in the boreal zone;than in the boreal zone; the the variability in variability in edaphicedaphic conditionsconditions and water regimes and water regimes affect affect tree species composition and forest growthtree species composition and forest growth

4. Acidophilous oak and oak-birch forest

5. Mesophytic deciduous forest 6. Beech forest 7. Montane beech forest 8. Thermophilous deciduous forest

Related to Related to oligotrophicoligotrophic soilssoils of the of the nemoralnemoral forest zoneforest zone

the the treetree species composition is poorspecies composition is poor (1(1--2 species) and characterized by 2 species) and characterized by acidophilousacidophilous oaksoaks ((Q. Q. roburrobur, , Q. Q. petraeapetraea) and ) and birchbirch ((BetulaBetula pendulapendula))

oakwoodsoakwoods stocking on poor, acid soils have been stocking on poor, acid soils have been managed for a long time for managed for a long time for coppicecoppice and grazingand grazing

many coppice forests many coppice forests were converted to high forests during the past decadeswere converted to high forests during the past decades or or otherwise abandoned or converted to conifer forest plantationsotherwise abandoned or converted to conifer forest plantations

4. Acidophilous oak and oak-birch forest

5. Mesophytic deciduous forest

Related to Related to mesomeso-- and and eutrophiceutrophicsoils of the soils of the nemoralnemoral zonezone

canopy composition is often canopy composition is often mixedmixed, and characterized by , and characterized by mixtures of mixtures of CarpinusCarpinus betulusbetulus, , QuercusQuercus petraeapetraea, , QuercusQuercus roburrobur, , FraxinusFraxinus, , AcerAcer and and TiliaTilia cordatacordata

due to the association with fertile due to the association with fertile soils, soils, most of the original most of the original mesophyticmesophytic deciduous forest area deciduous forest area has been cleared and soils has been cleared and soils converted to very productive converted to very productive agricultural landagricultural land

the management of eventhe management of even--aged aged stands predominatesstands predominates

6. Beech forestVery Very wide geographic distributionwide geographic distributionin lowland to in lowland to submontanesubmontane EuropeEurope

it is characterized by the it is characterized by the dominance of European beech dominance of European beech FagusFagus sylvaticasylvatica or of or of FagusFagusorientalisorientalis in the eastern and in the eastern and southern parts of the Balkan southern parts of the Balkan Peninsula; locally important Peninsula; locally important additional treesadditional trees, are , are BetulaBetulapendulapendula and and mesophyticmesophyticdeciduous speciesdeciduous species

the large distribution is due to the the large distribution is due to the wide wide climatic and climatic and edaphicedaphicamplitude of beech and to its amplitude of beech and to its competitive strengthcompetitive strength

most of beech forests are most of beech forests are managed as evenmanaged as even--aged forestaged forest, , although traditional management although traditional management practices (like wood pastures, practices (like wood pastures, coppice with standards) are still in coppice with standards) are still in place in especially in rural areasplace in especially in rural areas

Related to the Related to the montanemontane altitudinal beltaltitudinal belt of of the main European mountain rangesthe main European mountain ranges

in the in the montanemontane vegetation belt vegetation belt coniferous coniferous species (spruce, fir) species (spruce, fir) areare competitive as competitive as beechbeech

montanemontane beech forest is thus beech forest is thus characterized by the characterized by the presence of conifers presence of conifers as important forest building treesas important forest building trees; as for ; as for category 6, locally important additional category 6, locally important additional tree species include tree species include BetulaBetula pendulapendula and and mesophyticmesophytic deciduous species.deciduous species.

traditionally traditionally montanemontane beech forest have beech forest have been been intensively managed for intensively managed for fuelwoodfuelwoodpurposespurposes, in mining areas and in some , in mining areas and in some mountain areas of Apennines and Alps; mountain areas of Apennines and Alps; beech was coppicedbeech was coppiced for firewood and for firewood and charcoal; Most of these stands were charcoal; Most of these stands were turned to turned to high forest in the 20th centuryhigh forest in the 20th century

7. Montane beech forest

8. Thermophilous deciduous forest

Related to the Related to the suprasupra--Mediterranean Mediterranean vegetation beltvegetation belt

the the mild climatic conditionsmild climatic conditions of the supraof the supra--Mediterranean level determine the Mediterranean level determine the predominance of mixed deciduous and semipredominance of mixed deciduous and semi--deciduous forest of deciduous forest of thermophilousthermophilous speciesspecies, , mainly of mainly of QuercusQuercus; ; AcerAcer, , OstryaOstrya, , FraxinusFraxinus, , CarpinusCarpinus species are frequent as associated species are frequent as associated secondary trees secondary trees

anthropogenic exploitationanthropogenic exploitation has has modified the modified the natural mixed compositionnatural mixed composition of these forests, of these forests, leading in most cases to the leading in most cases to the elimination of elimination of natural species without a commercial interestnatural species without a commercial interestor with poor or with poor resproutingresprouting capacity or, capacity or, conversely, the conversely, the introduction of forest species introduction of forest species that would not occur naturallythat would not occur naturally (e.g. chestnut) (e.g. chestnut)

simplified forest structures shaped by simplified forest structures shaped by traditional traditional silviculturalsilvicultural systems predominatesystems predominate(coppice, coppice with standards, mixed (coppice, coppice with standards, mixed coppice/high forest)coppice/high forest)

of of purely cultural originpurely cultural origin are also the are also the chestnutchestnut--groves, today largely replaced by coppicegroves, today largely replaced by coppice--woods or left unmanagedwoods or left unmanaged

high foresthigh forest--like structureslike structures developing from developing from the the abandonment of forest cultivationabandonment of forest cultivation are are relatively frequent in the categoryrelatively frequent in the category

Related to the thermoRelated to the thermo-- and and mesomeso--Mediterranean vegetation belt and to the Mediterranean vegetation belt and to the warmwarm--temperate humid zones of temperate humid zones of MacaronesiaMacaronesia

these climates determine a forest these climates determine a forest physiognomy physiognomy characterized by the characterized by the dominance of broadleaved dominance of broadleaved sclerophylloussclerophyllousor or lauriphyllouslauriphyllous evergreen treesevergreen trees

water availability varies considerably water availability varies considerably between the between the MacaronesiaMacaronesia and thermoand thermo--and and mesomeso--Mediterranean vegetation Mediterranean vegetation beltsbelts and it is the main climatic and it is the main climatic factor factor limiting treelimiting tree--growthgrowth

in the Mediterranean, the structure of in the Mediterranean, the structure of broadleaved evergreen forest has been broadleaved evergreen forest has been profoundly shaped by traditional agroprofoundly shaped by traditional agro--forestryforestry ((dehesasdehesas, , montadosmontados) and ) and coppice cultivation systemscoppice cultivation systems

forest degradation is a very common forest degradation is a very common phenomenonphenomenon, due to a complex , due to a complex historical interplay of harsh historical interplay of harsh environmental conditions (drought, environmental conditions (drought, aridity, soils prone to erosion) and aridity, soils prone to erosion) and anthropogenic influences (fire, grazing, anthropogenic influences (fire, grazing, intensive forest exploitation) intensive forest exploitation)

9. Broadleaved evergreen

forest

10. Coniferous forests of the Mediterranean, Anatolian and Macaronesian regions

It includes a large group of coniferous It includes a large group of coniferous forests, mainly forests, mainly xerophyticxerophytic forest forest communitiescommunities, distributed throughout , distributed throughout Europe from Europe from coastal regions to high coastal regions to high mountain rangesmountain ranges

forest physiognomy is mainly dominated forest physiognomy is mainly dominated by species of by species of PinusPinus, , AbiesAbies and and JuniperJuniper, , that are variously distributed according to that are variously distributed according to altitudinal vegetation beltsaltitudinal vegetation belts

due to the relation with due to the relation with drydry and, often, and, often, with with poor or poorly developed soils tree poor or poorly developed soils tree growthgrowth is is limited limited

although some although some pine forestspine forests under this under this category are category are adapted to fireadapted to fire (e.g. (e.g. P. P. halepensishalepensis, , P. P. canariensiscanariensis), in the ), in the Mediterranean region Mediterranean region repeated forest firesrepeated forest fires(anthropogenic origin) seriously threaten (anthropogenic origin) seriously threaten these coniferous forests, by these coniferous forests, by triggering triggering forest degradation forest degradation

from a structural viewpoint, evenfrom a structural viewpoint, even--aged aged forest characterize the categoryforest characterize the category

11. Mire and swamp forest

Waterlogged peaty soilsWaterlogged peaty soils determine determine these wetland forests mainly these wetland forests mainly distributed in the boreal zonedistributed in the boreal zone

changes in changes in forest physiognomyforest physiognomyare due to the are due to the micromicro--topographic topographic variabilityvariability of wetland areas and of wetland areas and associated associated variations in variations in edaphicedaphicconditionsconditions and water regimesand water regimes

PiceaPicea abiesabies and and PinusPinus sylvestrissylvestrisbuild up build up mire forestsmire forests; species of ; species of AlnusAlnus, , BetulaBetula, , QuercusQuercus and and PopulusPopulus dominate the dominate the deciduous deciduous swamp forestswamp forest

due to its poor economic value, due to its poor economic value, most of the potential area of most of the potential area of swamp forest has been drained swamp forest has been drained and converted to agricultural land and converted to agricultural land or productive coniferous forest or productive coniferous forest plantationsplantations

present management present management is targeted is targeted to the protection and restoration to the protection and restoration of these wetland forestsof these wetland forests

12. Floodplain forestThe The riparian or alluvial hydrological regimeriparian or alluvial hydrological regime(high water table subject to occasional (high water table subject to occasional flooding) flooding) determine the appearancedetermine the appearance of of forests under this category, distributed forests under this category, distributed along the main European river channelsalong the main European river channels

floodplain forest are speciesfloodplain forest are species--rich often rich often multimulti--layered communities characterized by layered communities characterized by different assemblages of species of different assemblages of species of AlnusAlnus, , BetulaBetula, , PopulusPopulus, , SalixSalix, , FraxinusFraxinus, , UlmusUlmus

in the in the Mediterranean and Mediterranean and MacaronesianMacaronesianregions local species are also foundregions local species are also found (e.g. (e.g. FraxinusFraxinus angustifoliaangustifolia, , NeriumNerium oleanderoleander, , PlatanusPlatanus orientalisorientalis, , TamarixTamarix))

forest composition and structureforest composition and structure largely largely depends on the depends on the frequency of floodingfrequency of flooding

anthropogenic activitiesanthropogenic activities (river damming (river damming and canalisation, drainage of riparian areas and canalisation, drainage of riparian areas to provide agricultural land) to provide agricultural land) have brought have brought significant changes in the area of floodplain significant changes in the area of floodplain forestforest during the last centuryduring the last century

the the conservation and restoration of these conservation and restoration of these riparian forestsriparian forests is the main focus of forest is the main focus of forest management todaymanagement today

13. Non riverine alder, birch, or aspen forest

Includes a number of Includes a number of nonnon--riparian, nonriparian, non--marshymarshy often often pioneerpioneer forest formations forest formations dominated by dominated by AlnusAlnus,, BetulaBetula or or PopulusPopulus

these communities are related to these communities are related to specific ecological conditionsspecific ecological conditions(mountain birch formations) or (mountain birch formations) or occur as occur as pioneer stages of the pioneer stages of the forest successionforest succession

in the in the boreal zoneboreal zone BetulaBetula and and PopulusPopulus build up also build up also secondary secondary forestforest in large in large clear cutclear cut areasareas

The The typetype levellevelIt is mainly intended to It is mainly intended to describe and further document the variety and describe and further document the variety and the character of forest communities that each category comprisesthe character of forest communities that each category comprisesTypesTypes correspond to a correspond to a finer level of division of the category in term of finer level of division of the category in term of tree species compositiontree species composition; in some cases, ; in some cases, structural structural or or floristic featuresfloristic featuresvary also significantly amongst forest types vary also significantly amongst forest types the number of types that each category contains reflects the Northe number of types that each category contains reflects the Northth--South (Boreal to Mediterranean/Anatolian/South (Boreal to Mediterranean/Anatolian/MacaronesianMacaronesian) and West) and West--East East (Atlantic to Continental) gradient in the floristic differentiat(Atlantic to Continental) gradient in the floristic differentiation of ion of European forests communitiesEuropean forests communities

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14 first 14 first levellevel classesclasses ((CATEGORIESCATEGORIES))

75 75 secondsecond levellevel classesclasses ((TYPESTYPES))

7.1 SW-European montane beech forest (Cantabrians – Pyrenees – Central Massif – SW-Alps)

7.2 Central European montane beech forest7.3 Apennine-Corsican montane beech forest7.4 Illyrian montane beech forest7.5 Carpathian montane beech forest7.6 Moesian montane beech forest7.7 Crimean montane beech forest7.8 Oriental beech and hornbeam-Oriental beech forest

7. Montane beech forest

6.1 Lowland beech forest of S-Scandinavia and north central Europe6.2 Atlantic and subatlantic lowland beech forest6.3 Subatlantic submontane beech forest6.4 Central European submontane beech forest6.5 Carpathian submontane beech forest6.6 Illyrian submontane beech forest6.7 Moesian submontane beech forest

6. Beech forest

5.1 Pedunculate oak–hornbeam forest5.2 Sessile oak–hornbeam forest5.3 Ashwood and oak-ash forest5.4 Maple-oak forest5.5 Lime-oak forest5.6 Maple-lime forest5.7 Lime forest5.8 Ravine and slope forest5.9 Other mesophytic deciduous forests

5. Mesophytic deciduous forest

4.1 Acidophilous oakwood4.2 Oak-birch forest

4. Acidophilous oak and oak-birch forest

3.1 Subalpine larch-arolla pine and dwarf pine forest3.2 Subalpine and montane spruce and montane mixed spruce-silver fir forest3.3 Alpine Scots pine and Black pine forest

3. Alpine coniferous forest

2.1 Hemiboreal forest2.2 Nemoral Scots pine forest2.3 Nemoral Black pine forest2.4 Mixed Scots pine-birch forest2.5 Mixed Scots pine-pedunculate oak forest

2. Hemiboreal forest and nemoralconiferous and mixed broadleaved-coniferous forest

1.1 Spruce and spruce-birch boreal forest1.2 Pine and pine-birch boreal forest

1. Boreal forest

TypesCategories

15.1 Plantations of site-native species15.2 Plantations of not-site-native species and self-sown exotic forest

14. Plantations and self sown exotic forest

13.1 Alder forest13.2 Italian alder forest13.3 Boreal birch forest13.4 Southern boreal birch forest13.5 Aspen forest

13. Non riverine alder, birch, or aspen forest

12.1 Riparian forest12.2 Fluvial forest12.3 Mediterranean and Macaronesian riparian forest

12. Floodplain forest

11.1 Conifer dominated or mixed mire forest11.2 Alder swamp forest11.3 Birch swamp forest11.4 Pedunculate oak swamp forest11.5 Aspen swamp forest

11. Mire and swamp forest

10.1 Mediterranean pine forest 10.2 Mediterranean and Anatolian Black pine forest 10.3 Canarian pine forest 10.4 Mediterranean and Anatolian Scots pine forest 10.5 Alti-Mediterranean pine forest 10.6 Mediterranean and Anatolian fir forest 10.7 Juniper forest 10.8 Cypress forest 10.9 Cedar forest 10.10 Tetraclinis articulata stands10.11 Mediterranean yew stands

10. Coniferous forests of the Mediterranean, Anatolian and Macaronesian regions

9.1 Mediterranean evergreen oak forest9.2 Olive-carob forest9.3 Palm groves 9.4 Macaronesian laurisilva9.5 Other sclerophlyllous forests

9. Broadleaved evergreen forest

8.1 Downy oak forest 8.2 Turkey oak, Hungarian oak and Sessile oak forest8.3 Pyrenean oak forest8.4 Portuguese oak and Mirbeck’s oak Iberian forest8.5 Macedonian oak forest8.6 Valonia oak forest8.7 Chestnut forest8.8 Other thermophilous deciduous forests

8. Thermophilous deciduous forest

most compilation of most compilation of national data on MCPFE national data on MCPFE indicators uses National indicators uses National Forest Inventories (Forest Inventories (NFIsNFIs) ) ground plot dataground plot datawe recommend the we recommend the use use of types for stratifying of types for stratifying NFIsNFIs plots and of the plots and of the fourteen categories for fourteen categories for reporting data on MCPFE reporting data on MCPFE indicatorsindicators

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NFIsNFIs groundground plotsplots datadata

MCPFE REPORTINGmore ecologically sound and better informed decision-

making at pan-European level

CLASSIFICATION KEY+NOMENCLATURECLASSIFICATION KEY+NOMENCLATURE

ClassificationClassification keyskeysThe European Forest Types are provided with a classification key allowing a systematic cross-link (post-stratification) of national forest data (e.g. NFIs, forest statistics) to categories and types, based on:

simple ecological information (biogeographic region, water regime, site edaphic condition)

forest dominant tree species (as resulting from NFIs plots dbhdata)

Dominant species Dominant species is defined as the broadleaved deciduous species accounting is defined as the broadleaved deciduous species accounting for >50% of the basal areafor >50% of the basal area of the (of the (NFIsNFIs) plot) plot

NomenclatureNomenclatureThe European Forest Types are provided with a nomenclature, a descriptive frame allowing the characterisation of categories and types (forest composition and structure) with the help of classification keys:

class definition geographical distribution types descriptions

Types are also referenced to:Eunis III level classesEU Habitats Directive Annex I (92/43/EEC)

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Final Final remarksremarksto to enable comparisonenable comparison of of forests growing in similar forests growing in similar ecological conditions and ecological conditions and levels of anthropogenic levels of anthropogenic modificationmodification, independent , independent of national bordersof national bordersto provide an harmonized to provide an harmonized classification for panclassification for pan--EuropeanEuropean--level level monitoring of forest monitoring of forest condition by condition by offering offering ecologically meaningful ecologically meaningful units to reference and units to reference and report national data on report national data on indicatorsindicators

FinalFinal remarksremarks

The EEA The EEA TechnicalTechnical ReportReport on on EuropeanEuropean Forest TypesForest Types isisexpectedexpected toto feedfeed the MCPFE seminar the MCPFE seminar forest typesforest types withwithsome some usefuluseful pointspoints of of discussionsdiscussions: e.g.: e.g.forest typesforest types potentialpotential in in reportingreporting on SFM e.g. on SFM e.g. improved improved understandingunderstanding of the of the differences in structural, differences in structural, compositional and functional determinants of forest compositional and functional determinants of forest conditioncondition across Europe across Europe ⇒⇒ improved MCPFE assessmentimproved MCPFE assessmentthanks to a harmonized approach for Europeanthanks to a harmonized approach for European--level level reportingreportingCostCost ((increasedincreased reportingreporting burdenburden)) vsvs benefitsbenefits of the of the newly proposed forest typesnewly proposed forest types

A panA pan--EuropeanEuropean perspectiveperspective shouldshould bebeadoptedadopted, , asas far far asas possiblepossible, in the , in the discussiondiscussion of the of the schemescheme::

the the question is not to agreequestion is not to agree on a on a classification classification fullyfully reflectingreflecting the the varietyvariety of of forest conditionforest conditionat country at country levellevel (44 (44 countriescountries!) !) butbut at the at the panpan--EuropeanEuropean one!one!IsIs the the newlynewly proposedproposed schemescheme a a reasonablereasonablecompromise?compromise?

Final Final remarksremarks