In agreement with the EU Forest Action Plan, this project, carried out for DG AGRI, has the objective to synthesise the existing knowledge about observed and projected impacts of climate change on forests in Europe and to review options for forests and forestry to adapt to climate change.
This study will first analyse the potential impacts on forests in different geographical areas of the European Union based on the expected changes in average climate conditions, climate variability and extreme climatic events and the sensitivity of different forest types to these changes. The adaptive capacity of forests and forestry to the projected changes in climate will be analysed, as the projected impacts and the adaptive capacity together determine the vulnerability of forests and forestry to climate change. In the second part of the study, options for encouraging and supporting adaptation in forests and forestry will be identified. The scope of the study will be EU 27 Member States. For understanding of important impact mechanisms, also results of climate change impact and adaptation research from comparable climate conditions in other world regions will be considered.
The final report of the project is available at the European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development web pages.