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Welcome to ICP Forests

The pan-European forest monitoring and research network working under the UNECE Air Convention.

The International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) was established in 1985 under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention, formerly CLRTAP) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

ICP Forests monitors the influence of air pollutants, climate change and other stressors on the condition of forest ecosystems at two levels of monitoring intensity. The Level I monitoring is based on around 6,000 observation plots on a systematic 16 x 16 km transnational grid across Europe and beyond to provide insight into the geographical and temporal variation of forest condition. The Level IIintensive monitoring comprises over 600 plots in selected forest ecosystems with the aim of clarifying cause-effect relationships.

Currently, 40 European countries as well as the USA and Canada are members of the ICP Forests.

42

paticipating countries

2

intensity levels
of monitoring

Over 6,000

forest monitoring plots

40 years

since its foundation



Dresden Declaration

This year ICP Forests celebrates its 40th Anniversary (1985-2025). The celebration event and the annual ICP Forests Scientific Conference FORECOMON 2025 and Task Force Meeting took place in Dresden, Germany, from 19 - 21 May 2025. We welcomed 125 delegates from 28 countries including representatives from politics, administration and science.

In the spirit of the celebration of ICP Forests anniversary, the Dresden Declaration was prepared:
Forest monitoring under the ICP Forests is essential for a science-based forest- and environmental policy and needs continued support.

Link to Dresden Declaration

The Dresden Declaration is open to be signed.


News

The final call for abstract submission for FORECOMON 2026 is out! Please submit your abstract until 5th December 2026 via forecomon2026.thuenen.de/abstract-submission

Looking forward to see you in Dubrovnik!

 

FORECOMON 2026 "Integrating Ground- and Remote Sensing-based Forest Monitoring…


On December 5th another HoliSoils webinar will take place. The topic is "Long-term nitrogen fertilization enhances tree growth and soil carbon retention in boreal forests" and might be of interest to some.


The deadline for abstract submission for FORECOMON 2026 was extended to 28 November 2025!

FORECOMON 2026 "Integrating Ground- and Remote Sensing-based Forest Monitoring for Resilient forests: Opportunities and Challenges" will be held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, 4 - 6 May 2026 kindly hosted by the…


ICP Forests plots

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