European Atlas of Forest Tree Species Daniele De Rigo, Jesús San-Miguel-Ayanz, Giovanni Caudullo, Tracy Houston Durrant, Achille Mauri Publications Office of the European Union, 2016 - 197 pages The European Atlas of Forest Tree Species is the first comprehensive publication of such a unique and essential environmental resource, that is, our trees. Leading scientists and forestry professionals have contributed in the many stages of the production of this atlas, through the collection of ground data on the location of tree species, elaboration of the distribution and suitability maps, production of the photographic material and compilation of the different chapters. The European Atlas of Forest Tree Species is both a scientific publication, in which researchers and forest specialists can find rigorous and up-to-date information on the many tree species of our forests, and a publication suited for education and the dissemination of information about the richness of our forests to our generation and future generations. Trees, as all other forms of life, adapt to the conditions in which they live. This adaptation is reflected in the shape of their leaves, their seeds, and their strategy for dissemination and expansion. Each chapter of the Atlas presents, in addition to the description of each tree species, high quality graphics and photographs showing the climatic preferences and singularities of the different species of trees. The European Atlas of Forest Tree Species includes not only the publication you are looking at, but also a dynamic database of information on our trees, their use, their threats, and eventually the changes that climate may bring about in our forests. This 1st edition of the European Atlas of Forest Tree Species will shortly be followed by the publication of an online version which will incorporate updated information of forest resources and their distribution. The European Atlas of Tree Species will thus be continuously updated as new information on tree species becomes available. Trees are an essential resource for human life. As well as being an important economic resource, they are also a reservoir for biodiversity; they protect our soils, purify our water, clean the air we breathe and populate the forests we use for recreation. We hope that this Atlas will help increase awareness about trees and all the benefits they provide to society. |
