COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

no provenance trials due to the above mentioned reasons, but it is recommended to consider a
well-planned program of provenance trials for local adaptation (e. g. see FRAXIGEN 2005) and
adaptation to climate change. Finally, sufficient research has been done on taxonomy and genetics of
beech, and this can support political decisions to ensure sustainable management and future survival
of beech ecosystems.
ImPorTaNce oF beech IN ForesTry curreNTLy aNd IN Former
TImes
Beech forests produce valuable technical, industrial and fuel wood. Before the 19 0s, beech forests have
been used by local people for fuel wood and technical wood, grazing of domestic animals, mushroom
and nut collection and hunting. Due to the past over-exploitation many beech stands have been
degraded or converted into coppice forests. At the present time, most of the beech forests are under
sustainable forest management and most of them have been converted into high forests (Fig. 4), and
are considered of high value while serving the multiple-purpose functions of wood production, non
wood products, water quality, ecosystem roles and rare/vulnerable taxa conservation. Additionally,
some beech forests are part of national parks (e. g. Olympos Mt., Pindos Mt.) while most of them
share part of most NATURA areas, and therefore they are of high conservation value. Beech forests
are considered highly important, the stands in good sites are sufficiently productive and their wood
is more valuable than that of conifers. Furthermore, beech stands are the most valuable resource for
water quality protection and provide high social services (e. g. recreation, aesthetics, hunting).
Fig. 4: A degraded beech stand converted into high forest (Chalkidiki, Greece)
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