The Floodplain Forests in Europe: Current Situation and Perspectives

In this volume the condition of floodplain forests and ecological impacts of anthropogenic effects is reviewed. The most important anthropogenic impacts dealt with are as follows: decrease of floodplain forest area in favour of agriculture; watercourse regulation resulting in termination of floods and groundwater table decrease; construction of dams or building of water reservoirs resulting in destruction of floodplain forest areas; interactions between floodplain forests and housing estates; intensive game-management; and fragmentation of floodplain forest ecosystems. The book should serve as background information on forest ecosystems that were markedly influenced in the past, decreased to a minimum level and/or heavily endangered at present. The condition of the following floodplain forests in selected watersheds of Europe is covered: France (the Rhone), Germany (surroundings of Leipzig), Hungary, Slovakia (the Morova and Danube), Czech Republic (the Morova and Dyje), Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania (the Danube), Croatia (the Sava and Drava) and Slovenia (Sava).