This review of findings on the so-called new type forest damages observed in Central Euroe since the mid-1970s indicates that primary and secondary gaseous air pollutants, acid precipitation, nitrogen, heavy metals, and other substances deposited in forest ecosystems all may play more or less important roles in the cause of this phenomenon. Furthermore, a considerable number of other natura and unnatural stress factors have been suggested to explain causal mechanisms responsible for the observed damages. However, the dramatic increases of the damages have leveled off since 1985. Scientists generally agree that the damages are site specific and related to regional sts of stress factors. No single overall causal mechanism can be named. Thus, new type forest damages present a complex problem. A substantial portion of research on this issue has been focused on the nutritional status of declining forest ecosystems. These findings clearly indicate that many damage types are associated with nutritional disturbances. In this respect it was found that fertilization and liming are valuable tools to counteract damages correlated with nutrient disorders. Furthermore, various silvicultural practices can be utilized to stabilize declining forest ecosystems. Nevertheless, all air pollutants that affected forest ecosystems negatively must be reduced. Finally it can be concluded that the forests of central Europe are damaged significantly. But if all activities that have been initiated to counteract this problem proceed and/or are enhanced, these forests have a fais change to survive and provide their many vital functions for future human generations.
