Nowadays, Baltic mixed forests is a topic that is at the center of attention and debate in different areas. Its implications and repercussions are of great importance, which is why it is essential to analyze it from various perspectives. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Baltic mixed forests, examining its impact on society, its evolution over time and possible solutions or approaches that can be considered. This topic is of general interest and its relevance cannot be ignored, so it is crucial to understand it comprehensively to make informed decisions and foster a constructive dialogue about it.
The Baltic mixed forests is an ecoregion in Europe along the southwestern coasts of the Baltic Sea. The name was coined by the European Environment Agency.[citation needed] The same geographical area is designated as "Northern Europe: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Poland" ecoregion by the WWF.
The ecoregion's natural habitat type is lowland to submontane beech and mixed beech forests. For the beech, European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is dominant. Other tree species that mix in, covers a broad array of mostly deciduous trees, but also conifer to a small extent. Oak, elm, ash, linden, maple, hazel, rowan and birch are common among the many deciduous trees mixed in with beech.
Early spring in a Baltic mixed forest
Autumn and leaf fall
Winter
The forest floor
Beech forests are home to a plethora of fungi species (honey fungi)
European beech is predominant for the natural state of this ecoregion
According to a 2015 study into the effect of climate change on the Baltic Sea Basin, the changes in temperature and precipitation patterns are likely to change the south-western Baltic forest's flora considerably, with a shift in the natural species composition towards more drought tolerant species, leading to a decrease in species diversity and a decrease in groundwater recharge. Similarly, the fauna of the region will also be adversely affected, due to the Baltic region's particularly sensitive nature to changes in salinity, which can have a cascading effect on food webs and interaction between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
References
^Röser, Dominik; Asikainen, Antti; Stupak, Inge; Parsanen, Karri (2008). "Forest Energy Resources and Potential". In Röser, Dominik; Asikainen, Antti; Raulund-Rasmussen, Karesten; Stupak, Inge (eds.). Sustainable Use of Forest Biomass for Energy: A Synthesis with Focus on the Baltic and Nordic Region. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Science & Business Media. p. 11. ISBN9781402050541.
^Pekka, Niemelä; Tolvanen, Harri; Rönkä, Mia; Kellomäki, Seppo; Krug, Joachim; Schurgers, Guy; Lehikoinen, Esa; Kalliola, Risto (2015). "Environmental Impacts—Coastal Ecosystems, Birds and Forests". In von Storch, Hans; Omstedt, Anders (eds.). Second Assessment of Climate Change for the Baltic Sea Basin. Regional Climate Studies. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. pp. 291–301. ISBN9783319160061.