Nature-oriented forest management in Europe - Modeling the long-term effects

The focus of forest management in the United States is shifting from a wood -production orientation to one of ecosystem management, and this change is debated vigorously. Likewise, in Europe's intensively managed forests, wher e wood production once dominated the goals of forest management, nature con servation values are also becoming more important. The changes in managemen t required to achieve both conservation and production goals will have sign ificant implications for the long-term development of the forest. This arti cle describes an instrument, EFISCEN, which can be used to gain insight int o the effects of these changing management practices on European forests.