Although the large-scale conversion of the former deciduous forests to pure coniferous stands in Europe is widely recognised and many suggestions concerning its effect on the biodiversity of the forest have been presented, actually little is known about the historical background that has led to the present situation. There was a general process in history noticeable in all part of Central Europe which influenced woodland and landscape and which is still visible today. This sets up the question why the conversion was put into force and supported on these sites.
The study compares human impacts and forest ecosystem response across geographical region in Europe taking into account a temporal scale of about 400 years. The variety of factors connected to the conduct of conversion and the main influencing factors have been investigated by case studies, carried out along a gradient across Europe from the North to the South.
The result of the investigation have been compared and thereby information about dominating factors has been gained. The way of conversion has been analysed for the individual forest landscapes by mean of the set up criteria: method of conversion (intentional, unintentional), motive for conversion (driving force) and temporal process (particularly focusing on the intentional introduction of Norway pruce). Thereby the comparison of the development in different parts of Europe can yield evidence of similar characteristics. The analysis allows interpreting forest change on the landscape level in its historical and ecological context.