Forest cover changes in the northern Carpathians in the 20th century: rates, factors and consequences

Forest cover has been increasing since the 19th century in a number of mountain areas in Europe. We present results of several case studies from the northern Carpathians - forest cover change and possible factors of the forest increase and its consequences to mountain landscapes. Different source data were used to map forest areas. Map overlays and statistical analysis were used to estimates rates of change and assess influencing factors. Forest cover was significantly increasing through the 20th century – in the Pieniny Mts. with rates exceeding 1% annually. In the Beskidy Mts., lower rates..