Environmental monitoring and evaluation of forest ecosystems

 

The monitoring element of this programme arose from international concern about the potential effect of air pollutants on woodlands. It is complementary to Tree health monitoring programme, recent and ongoing work in this programme to support Tree Health Monitoring has focussed on standardising the techniques used across Europe and from year to year. The work is mandatory in member states of the EU and is carried out to agreed international protocols. The FC programme involves 10 survey plots in which measurements are made on atmospheric chemistry, soil chemistry and tree growth. Among other things, the data contribute to the development of our national critical load maps. Critical loads reflect the sensitivity of an ecosystem to nitrogen and sulphur pollution and these maps are fundamental in the formulation of international protocols for the mitigation of pollution. There is now increasing emphasis on evaluating data from the 10 intensively monitored plots to identify trends over time and also relationships between ecosystem functions and site factors, in particular atmospheric inputs and climate.

The programme will produce a revised manual for Crown Condition assessment and an associated Information Note, and will report on the link between deposition chemistry and tree health. The scientists working in the programme also have substantial responsibilities for UK input to European expert committees and panels.

Commissioned reports

No reports available at this time