There have been growing fears that air pollution in general, and high ozone levels in particular, were damaging the storied forests of Europe beyond repair. But now comes word of a major study by the European Forests Institute that says these vast wooded areas are actually thriving. Indeed, the study of 39 countries, covering forests from Portugal to Russia, showed that even though ozone levels are seven times higher than the alleged danger point, and trees in Europe should be suffering a 70 percent decline in growth, their health has improved and growth conditions seem to have increased almost everywhere. And the reason? Well how about increasing carbon dioxide emissions, which many believe have helped the forests to adapt to changing atmospheric conditions.