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“