Alpine Forests in Europe

The canopy looks dark but sincere from the bottom of the mountain. The scatter of white paper birch mixed with beech and pine trees line the soil. The combination of both conifer and deciduous trees keep the air on the valley floor cool yet smooth. It is incredibly refreshing especially in the summer time in what would otherwise be a hot, rough and dry climate. As you ascend the mountain, pines change to spruce and larch as the endemic species, which have been evolved to survive in sub zero temperatures peer from round the bend. The air is noticeably cooler and the decidious trees are no more as one approaches the summit. However gradually the conifers also loose their volume and trees start turning into shrubs and grasses as the tree line nears. At this altitude, other endemic species thrive such as marmots and chamois. It is this multitude of diversity that the Alpine mountains depend upon. The forests bring ecosystem benefits such as melt water run off control, soil stability, food for herbivore dwellers as well as a multitude of summer and winter sport activities. This is all possible thanks to the forests that roam 50% of the alpine territory. They are a dominant but special type of forest to understand further. 

Deciduous Forests in Europe

The rusting of leaves in the forest canopy is a particular prominent sound one can hear through the spring and summer months however in autumn and winter when the leaves are no more, a heavy silence descends upon these forests as the trees go into their winter dormancy. Spring and summer months are critical months for the deciduous trees as they are the times where the trees feed and store up their critical energy so they can survive winter without needing to feed until the new year. As bears curl up in their winter dens through hibernation, the trees of these forests do the same leaving the pines and Douglas firs to continue their journeys above ground. Its what goes on underground that give these forests their importance. The connection between tree roots and fungi and the decomposers that churn the dead leaves throughout the rest of the soil are of significance. Without these creatures, the forest will not be and will not give life to everything else such as the roe deer, wild boars and lynx. Most of the magic that happens in our deciduous forests happens out of eyesight but has tremendous benefits to all humans worldwide.