Future Brief

09/12/2021

In this issue

European Forests for biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation

We are pleased to release the full package of our Forest Future Brief accompanied by the latest multimedia.

Forests hold a significant share of biodiversity in the EU. The resistance, resilience, adaptation, and biodiversity of Europe’s forests are linked to our ability to thrive in a changing climate. However, forests are under pressure by inadequate management practices and current and future climate changes. Their protection, restoration, and adapted management (such as close-to-nature forestry) is essential.

This research has pulled together some of the latest scientific evidence to show how biodiversity, the bioeconomy and climate change mitigation are vitally underpinned by Europe’s forests.

Click here to read the Future Brief

Forest Infographics

Check out our two new infographic posters, which showcase facts on the European Union's forests and the importance of old trees and forests for both biodiversity and the climate.

View facts on the European Union's forests

View the importance of old trees and forests

Forest Videos

Click below to watch our Forest Future Brief videos.

Why do we need forests?

As huge reservoirs of biodiversity, forests play an irreplaceable role in our daily life. They prevent biodiversity loss, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are a key element for the green growth economy. However, the state of EU forests is deteriorating, but the EU is committing to protecting them through three targeted policy initiatives.

Forests: a cornerstone of biodiversity and climate protection

Up to 84% of protected forests are in an unfavourable or inadequate status. The resilience of EU forests is threatened and this calls for urgent forest protection measures. The EU is addressing the threats posed to forests through various actions, such as the European Green Deal, the EU Forest Strategy, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

Related publications from Science for Environment Policy

As our climate changes, concern is rising over how plant species will adapt in terms of their geographical distribution (or range). Research has identified conflicting patterns in species performance, especially at the outer edges of their ranges, casting doubt on our ability to accurately predict the impacts of climate change. A study assesses 27 European tree species to identify how populations’ performance can change at their range edges, and how this response differs between the ‘hot and dry versus the ‘cold and wet’ edges of each species.

Trees at the edge: species respond differently to climate changes at hot and cold range edges

Click here to read more.

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Science for Environment Policy is published by the European Commission's DG Environment and edited by the Science Communication Unit (SCU), at the University of the West of England, Bristol. This service is provided by Ecorys.

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