Many member states are facing the challenge of conserving Annex I forest habitat types promoted by (former) human management activities, growing on sites with differing potential natural vegetation. Non-intervention and subsequent natural succession would lead to extensive losses of area of these habitat types.

For this reason the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) conducted a workshop, on this issue based on input and experience of experts from various countries and disciplines. One focus was on oak and oak-hornbeam forest habitat types in Germany and France with excursions to respective stands in the Bienwald (Germany) and the Northern Vosges (France). Other habitat types like lichen pine forests or chestnut woods was also been addressed. This volume presents the proceedings of this workshop.