Monitoring is performed on different levels: For large-scale monitoring serves a network of 5700 plots arranged on a systematic grid (Level I) providing a general overview on crown condition and its temporal development. On about 4500 plots out of the level I network a forest soil inventory was carried out. In 1995 a transnational sampling of needle and leaves was recommended and carried out on about 1000 plots. At the Austrian Federal Office and Research Centre for Forests (BFW), hitherto Federal Forest Research Centre, a specific institution for the evaluation of needle/leaf-analysis (FFCC) was installed.

Much more detailed investigations are carried out on about 860 so-called Level II-plots. On these plots for intensive monitoring site and stand condition as well as environmental factors influencing/damaging forest ecosystems are continuously investigated. A manual (4th edition of 1998, updated partly since that time) documents harmonised survey methods for the different levels. The measures taken on both levels are mandatory for members of the European Union and are co-financed by the Commission.

In Austria the Federal Forest Research Centre is concerned with these activities and several specialised institutes were in charge of the work. On the intensive monitoring plots (Level II) the surveys of crown condition, ground vegetation, soil chemistry, increment and foliage are mandatory on each plot. Out of the measurements being mandatory only on a sub-sample, the sampling of wet deposition is done on all 20 plots. On two plots soil solution is analysed periodically and meteorological parameters as well as temperature and humidity of the soil are recorded continuously. Data gathered at national level are forwarded regularly to the Evaluation Centre in Hamburg where they are evaluated and annual reports are published.

The activities of UN/ECE and EU are strongly supported by other international resolutions. Particularly the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) stressed the importance of this European Network several times. The monitoring programmes of Level I and Level II are contributing essentially to research activities in the field of biodiversity or carbon sequestration and will help to improve models to derive critical levels and loads. Today, the monitoring of forest condition of UN/ECE and EU is one of the world's largest monitoring systems. The results achieved thereby are not only of relevance for clean air policies, but also for other processes of international environmental policies, such as sustainable forest management and climate change.

Cooperative Proram G7

Soil condition

Crown condition

Needle analyses

Crown Condition report 2003 (German only)

Crown Condition report 2002 (German only)

Crown Condition report 2001 (German only)

Cooperative Proram G8

Results

Download
FBVA-Report 122
(15.5 MB !)