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Forests in Landscapes – The Myth of Untouched Wilderness

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New Perspectives on People and Forests

Part of the book series: World Forests ((WFSE,volume 9))

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Abstract

Abstract Forests are often referred to as the last wild places in the cultural landscapes of Europe. However, this myth does not take into consideration the profound effects of human activities on vegetation in general and forest ecosystems in particular that have taken place since the first settlers came to Europe over half a million years ago. One of the most important transitions in human history was the development of agriculture which marked the beginning of the Neolithic Period. This change in human culture is closely related to land clearances and an increasingly heavy exploitation of forests resulting in a discontinuous forest cover. What today is considered as a natural or virgin forest is often not older than the secondary forests that spread again during the Middle Ages when European population decreased because of wars and pests. Hence, with few exceptions, forests in Europe are not ­representing the untouched wilderness that they are often referred to. This ­chapter describes the human impact on forest ecosystems in Europe from the Upper Palaeolithic period to the introduction of agriculture in the Neolithic period, and during early historic times. Consequences for forest distribution and species composition are discussed along with the growing awareness of people of the protection of this natural resource.

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  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    Eva Ritter

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  1. Eva Ritter
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  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, Aalborg, 9000, Denmark

    Eva Ritter

  2. Red Five Wood Ltd., Cefn Coch, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales, LD2 3PR, United Kingdom

    Dainis Dauksta

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Ritter, E. (2011). Forests in Landscapes – The Myth of Untouched Wilderness. In: Ritter, E., Dauksta, D. (eds) New Perspectives on People and Forests. World Forests, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1150-1_2

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