Context<\/strong><\/h2>\nOld-growth forests and monumental trees are rare and irreplaceable components of Europe\u2019s natural and cultural heritage, holding exceptionally high conservation value. These resources support endangered species, provide essential ecosystem services, enhance ecological resilience, climate adaptation, and human well-being.<\/strong><\/p>\nDespite their importance, old-growth forests continue to decline due to ongoing forest degradation and biodiversity loss. Today, they cover less than 3% of Europe\u2019s total forest area and are often small and fragmented. Although the European Commission has issued guidelines aimed at ensuring their strict protection, many countries still lack a practical, science-based methodology for identifying and managing these critical habitats.<\/strong><\/p>\nMonumental and veteran trees<\/strong> are exceptionally long-living organisms and keystone structures that have a disproportionate positive effect on the ecosystems where they occur.<\/strong> They support a wide range of species and ecological processes, yet often lack clear national-level guidelines for their identification, protection, and management. At the same time, climate change and land-use intensification are accelerating their decline, and the next generation of such trees is becoming increasingly rare.<\/p>\n
Despite their importance, old-growth forests continue to decline due to ongoing forest degradation and biodiversity loss. Today, they cover less than 3% of Europe\u2019s total forest area and are often small and fragmented. Although the European Commission has issued guidelines aimed at ensuring their strict protection, many countries still lack a practical, science-based methodology for identifying and managing these critical habitats.<\/strong><\/p>\n Monumental and veteran trees<\/strong> are exceptionally long-living organisms and keystone structures that have a disproportionate positive effect on the ecosystems where they occur.<\/strong> They support a wide range of species and ecological processes, yet often lack clear national-level guidelines for their identification, protection, and management. At the same time, climate change and land-use intensification are accelerating their decline, and the next generation of such trees is becoming increasingly rare.<\/p>\n
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