Abstract
Abstract Key message Aggregated, consolidated, and derived soil physicochemical data of 286 ICP Forests Level II plots were completed with soil hydraulic properties for integrated use with forest monitoring data. Database access should be requested at http://icp-forests.net . Metadata associated available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/apps/georchestra/?uuid=153e599e-6624-4e2b-b862-8124386ea9cd&hl=eng Context The ICP Forests database is one of the most comprehensive forest ecosystem datasets in Europe and contains the accumulated results of more than two decades of harmonised forest monitoring all over Europe. Aims The aim of this paper is to share knowledge on the ICP Forests Level II soil data for broader use among forest scientists. Methods After standard analysis, quality checks, aggregation, and calculation of derived variables (e.g. nutrient stocks, base saturation, C:N ratio, and water retention parameters), data have been gathered into a static database (AFSCDB.LII.2.2), which will be updated to new versions as soon as new measurements become available. Results The database provides a basis for the combined evaluation of up to 130 unique soil variables of 286 plots with dynamic data on tree growth, ground vegetation, foliar chemistry, crown condition, tree phenology, leaf area index, ozone injury, litterfall, soil solution chemistry, deposition, ambient air quality, and meteorological data assessed on the same plots. Conclusion The unprecedented comprehensiveness and level of detail in this newly aggregated database may overcome existing restrictions so far impeding the realisation of large-scale forest ecosystem studies in Europe.
Highlights
1.1 European forest monitoring networkThe International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests, www.icp-forests.net) acts since 1985 under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (CLRTAP/UNECE)
A main advantage of the database is the accessibility of detailed soil information that was sampled in a harmonised way over such a large and fragmented area as Europe
A specific asset is the combination of physicochemical and structural soil variables with laborious-to-measure soil hydraulic properties, which enables the investigation of pedotransfer functions for soil hydraulic characteristics (Wösten et al 2001; Teepe et al 2003)
Summary
The International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests, www.icp-forests.net) acts since 1985 under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (CLRTAP/UNECE). While the Level I network was constructed as a dense and spatially representative grid of forest sampling points, the Level II is dedicated to in depth investigations on relationships between all relevant forest ecosystem traits and processes in monitoring plots. All assessments are executed following the ICP Forests Manual on Methods and Criteria for Harmonised Sampling, Monitoring and Analysis of the Effects of Air Pollution on Forests (ICP Forests 2006, 2010; Cools and De Vos 2013), which is regularly updated with regard to new methodological developments and field protocols
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
