Human Impacts on Central European Forests: Summary and Conclusions

Abstract

The life cycle, from regeneration to the decline of old trees, characterises forest ecosystems as dynamic systems that are subject to change. In the different phases of their life cycle, forest ecosystems can approach flux equilibrium and, thus, a steady State. The steady State reflects the adaptation of the system to the boundary conditions set by climate, soil conditions and human impacts; it is characterised by a specific composition of key species (which may vary among life phases) and by a specific soil State. Forest ecosystems in a steady State behave predictably; one can foresee how they will develop and react to perturbations. A change in boundary conditions forces the ecosystem to adapt. An ecosystem near a steady State will be shifted away from it (i.e. it will be destabilised); an ecosystem far from a steady State can be shifted still further from it or closer to it (i.e. it can be stabilised).