  We apply the self-consistent harmonic approximation (SCHA) to study static
and dynamic properties of the two-dimensional classical Heisenberg model with
easy-axis anisotropy. The static properties obtained are magnetization and spin
wave energy as functions of temperature, and the critical temperature as a
function of the easy-axis anisotropy. We also calculate the dynamic correlation
functions using the SCHA renormalized spin wave energy. Our analytical results,
for both static properties and dynamic correlation functions, are compared to
numerical simulation data combining cluster-Monte Carlo algorithms and Spin
Dynamics. The comparison allows us to conclude that far below the transition
temperature, where the SCHA is valid, spin waves are responsible for all
relevant features observed in the numerical simulation data; topological
excitations do not seem to contribute appreciably. For temperatures closer to
the transition temperature, there are differences between the dynamic
correlation functions from SCHA theory and Spin Dynamics; these may be due to
the presence of domain walls and solitons.
