ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

2011 Report „Effects of air pollution on forests“

Two studiesForest soil condition

Bruno De Vos et al. (FSCC at INBO, Belgium)Forest biodiversity under deposition impact

Co-operation with ICP M&MMax Posch et al. (CCE)Hans-Dieter Nagel et al. (ÖKO-DATA)

Data fromICP Forests (Levels I and II)EC (Regulation Forest Focus)

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

Forest soil condition and its change

Two forest soil surveysOn more than 5.000 Level I plotsICP Forests:1986-1996EC: 2004-2008 under Regulation (EC) 2152/2003 Forest Focus(application of ICP Forests methods)

Present report focus onC/N ratioC/N indexBase saturationpH

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

C/N ratio

In healthy forests:C/N ratio on forest floor (C/N FF)higherC/N ratio in mineral soil (C/N MIN)

Under high N-pollution loads: C/N FF < C/N MIN

Useful indicator for excess N:

C/N FF C/N index = ---------

C/N MIN

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

C/N index

C/N index < 1 Organic matter and nutrient cycling disturbedRisk to forest health

Areas of C/N index < 1Red (France, Germany, Latvia)

C/N indexLower in central/western EuropeHigher in northern, eastern and southern Europe

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

Base saturation

GradientLower in northern EuropeHigher in southern EuropeGeologic origin

Upper mineral soil (0-10 cm)Central Europe

Soils with low base saturation(< 20%)Result of acid deposition

Share of plots with low base saturation

First survey: 48%Second survey: 28%Recovery

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

pH

Changes between two surveysIncrease on plots with acid soils (pH < 4.0)Decrease on plots with less acid soils (pH > 4.0)

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

Development of forest biodiversity

Deposition scenario „NATIONAL“Implementation of emission-related legislation in EU-27(Latest version by CCE)

Application of VSD+20 Level II plots12 countriesChanges from 2000 to 2050

C/NBase saturation

Application BERNResults of VSD+ as input variablesResponse of plant communities simulated

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

Results of BERN

Adaptation of plant communitiesto site conditions

High on 10 plotsFull regeneration potentialHigh vitality

Moderate on 5 plotsLow regeneration potentialReduced vitality

Low on 4 plotsNo regeneration potentialLow vitality

ICP ForestsEB.AIR/WG.1/2011/5

Presently growing tree species

Adaptation determined forPresent time2050

Site conditions predicted to deteriorate on 4 plotsto improve on 3 plots

For all 19 plots„target tree species“