Forest Condition in Europe : 2000 Executive Report

Brüssel

2000

32 S., Annex 1-7

zahlr. Lit. Ang.

Bandaufführung

83472

Recent monitoring results clearly indicate that the condition of European forests is influenced by weather extremes, air pollutants, changed soil condition, insect attacks and fungal infestations. Almost a quarter of the assessed trees were classified as damaged. Of particular concern is the deterioration in holm oak and maritime pine in parts of the Mediterranean region. Scots pine has recovered in eastern parts of Europe. Sulphur inputs have decreased on the monitoring plots, whereas the levels of nitrogen deposition have remained more or less stable during the last decade. Approximately 55 % of the considered plots received a nitrogen input above 14 kg.ha®Ü.yr®Ü, being a deposition level at which adverse effects on forest ecosystems may be expected. However, these plots are not homogeneously distributed over Europe. The internal review of the programme revealed the importance of the monitoring data also for questions arising in the fields of biodiversity, climate change and carbon sequestration. In addition the need for further co-operation with other institutions became obvious.