Forest area in Europe

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), more than 90 % of forests in the EU are semi-natural and have mainly been planted. Around 3 % of forests are plantations and around 2 % are primary and old-growth forests. Over centuries, European forests have gradually become less diverse and more homogeneous. This has at least partly been caused by forest management practices that have favoured efficient wood production and by reforestation focused on a limited number of species. Today, 60 % of EU forest stands are composed of even-aged trees, and more than 80 % have three species or less (see Figure 1). This can make them particularly susceptible to damage from droughts, fires, pests and diseases, which have all been exacerbated by climate change.