This handbook in two volumes synthesises our knowledge about the ecology of Central Europe¿s plant cover with its 7000-yr history of human impact, covering Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Based on a thorough literature review with 5500 cited references and nearly 1000 figures and tables, the two books review in 26 chapters all major natural and man-made vegetation types with their climatic and edaphic influences, the structure and dynamics of their communities, the ecophysiology of important plant species, and key aspects of ecosystem functioning. Volume I deals with the forests and scrub vegetation and analyses the ecology of Central Europe¿s tree flora, whilst Volume II is dedicated to the non-forest vegetation covering mires, grasslands, heaths, alpine habitats and urban vegetation. The consequences of over-use, pollution and recent climate change over the last century are explored and conservation issues addressed.

A comprehensive overview and up-to-date synthesis of Central Europe's forest ecology and ecophysiology of tree species including about 3000 referencesGives a complete account of all forest communities in this region, their historical development, recent climatic and edaphic influences, productivity, biogeochemical fluxes, and forest dynamicsIncludes nearly 500 informative figures, tables and photographs

Part I. The natural environment and its history.- 1. Environmental and historical influences on the vegetation of Central Europe.- 2. Life forms and growth types of Central European plant species.- PART II. THE ROLE OF MAN.- 3. The Central European vegetation as the result of millennia of human activity.- PART III. General ecology of Central European forests.- 4. Abiotic conditions, flora, ecosystem functions and recent human influence.- PART IV. FOREST AND SHRUB FORMATIONS.- 5. Beech and mixed beech forests.- 6. Mixed broadleaved forests poor in beech outside of floodplains or mires.- 7. Pure and mixed coniferous forests.- 8. Forest plantations and clearings.- 9. Woody vegetation of floodplains and swamps.- 10. Epiphyte vegetation.- 11. Forest edges, scrub, hedges and their herb communities.- 12. Syntaxonomic overview of the vascular plant communities of Central Europe: Forest and scrub formations.