About BZE

As part of the National Forest Soil Inventory (NFSI, German: BZE), we are studying the condition and changes in forest soils, vegetation, canopy condition, forest growth, and forest nutrition at approximately 1,900 sampling points in Germany.
These points are located on a systematic 8x8 km grid within the forest.

A subsample of approximately 410 points within the 16x16 km grid is part of the UN/ECE ICP Forests. In 2006, sampling was conducted for the European Soil Condition Survey (BioSoil). These are also sampling points for the Forest Condition Survey (WZE) for the national report. The BZE employs harmonized methods for sampling and analysis across federal states, which are published in a set of guidelines (German language).

All analytical methods of the BZE Forest are documented under the leadership of the Expert Committee on Forestry Analysis and published in the Handbook of Forestry Analysis (see here).

The BZE is a joint project of the federal government and the states. The BZE III is regulated by Section 41a of the Ordinance to the Federal Forest Act.

The BZE III (2022 to 2024) is currently underway, and the results are scheduled to be published in the 2028 Federal Report.

All publications related to the BZE can be viewed here.