Intensive monitoring is the key for providing insight into
causes affecting the condition of forest ecosystems and into
effects of different stress factors.
Set up of the ICP Forests intensive monitoring
- Around 800 plots have been established
- Major forest types of Europe are represented
- The integrating evaluation of different surveys offers the
possibility to understand complex ecosystem processes
Surveys carried out within the intensive monitoring
programme
| Survey |
Frequency |
N. of plots |
| Crown condition |
annually |
797 |
| Foliar chemistry |
every 2 years |
767 |
| Soil chemistry |
every 10 years |
738 |
| Tree growth |
every 5 years |
769 |
| Ground vegetation |
every 5 years |
723 |
| Stand structure incl. deadwood |
test phase ongoing |
90 |
| Epiphytic lichens |
test phase ongoing |
90 |
| Soil solution chemistry |
continuously |
254 |
| Atmospheric depostition |
continuously |
545 |
| Ambient air quality |
continuously |
41 |
| Meteorology |
continuously |
209 |
| Phenology |
several times per year |
data validation ongoing |
| Litterfall |
continuously |
data validation ongoing |
| Remote sensing |
preferably at plot installation |
national data |
