Intensive forest monitoring (IWM, Level II)

The ICP Forests programme operates under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Geneva Air Pollution Convention, CLRTAP). Level II monitoring has been supplementing Level I monitoring since 1995. Here, data on tree growth, soil vegetation, soil solution, soil solid phase, wet deposition, air quality, meteorological parameters, phenology, scattering, needle/leaf analyses and visible ozone damage are collected, which go well beyond the survey framework of extensive forest monitoring (level I) in terms of their temporal resolution. The data is collected in Germany on approximately 50-90 plots (number varies depending on the parameter). Distribution of sampling sites: Systematic distribution so that the main forest types of Europe are represented (no grid) Sampling method: The sampling for chemical analyses is basically carried out according to depth levels. Satellite sampling in the radius of 25 m with an internal intensive radius of 3 m to be sampled. For all other surveys, detailed information in the ICP Forests Manual: http://www.icp-forests.org/Manual.htm Extraction depths: 0 to 10 cm 20 to 40 cm 40 to 80 cm Examination method: Analytical methods are uniformly defined in the ICP Forests Manual (see above). Frequency of examination: — soil chemical parameters every 10 years — Floor solution continuously — Leaf nutrient content every 2 years — Tree diameter and height every 5 years — Soil vegetation at least every 5 years — atmospheric deposition on a continuous basis — Conditions of ambient air continuous — meteorological parameters continuous — Phenology several times a year — Litter case continuous — visible ozone damage once a year — Crown condition annually Working groups/fora: — Expert panel on soil and soils solution — Forest Soil Coordination Centre — Expert panel on foliage and litterfall — Forest Foliar Coordinating Centre — Expert panel on forest growth — Expert panel on deposition Working Group on ambient air quality — Expert panel on crown condition — Ad hoc group on assessment of biotic damage causes — Expert panel on meteorology and phenology — Expert panel on biodiversity and ground vegetation Quality Assurance Committee Project Coordinating Group (PCG) Scientific Advisory Group (SAG)