The ecological stability of forests is described and subsequently analyzed and discussed in relation to human impact. Forest management and utilization have a considerable influence on the stability and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Additionally, other human activities such as pollution and global climate change affect the present and future stability of our forests.The main components of stability are resistance (inertia, immovability) and resilience (recoverability). These are analyzed with respect to genetic diversity within and between species and in relation to the biogeochemical cycle. The possibilities and constraints of silviculture are then discussed in relation to sustainable management practices and strategies, i.e. choice of provenances and species, including species mixtures, tree breeding, harvesting practices, as well as the silvicultural system applied. Finally, forest decline is discussed in relation to stability by means of a stress integration model.