The Return of the Forest - how trees reconquered the European continent after the last Ice Age

Photo: M.Mina

People who are interested in the ecology of European forests know that the current climatic gradient has a big influence in shaping the distribution and diversity of tree species in the continent. Shrubs and evergreen broadleaves in the southern Mediterranean areas, broadleaf and mixed forests in temperate regions, conifers in north and in the Alps. However, this is just a snapshot. Forests in Europe have varied greatly over the last million years due to the alternating cycle of glacial and interglacial period. Research on this topic is carried out to better understand how trees spread back after the Ice Age.

The post is published in the website Forest Monitor

Here’s the link to the post

Marco Mina
Marco Mina
Postdoctoral fellow

Forest ecologist, cross-country skier and mountain lover.