Survey parameter and methods

The following parameters are recorded as part of the NFSI:

• Forestry data and general description of sampling point
  Point data, spatial data, data on sampling conditions, forestry data and information on factors affecting soil
• Soil
  Profile description, sampling and analysis of soil chemistry (including heavy metals) and soil physics, each separated into mineral soil and humus layer
• Needle/leaf nutrition
  100-leaves weight or 1000-needles weight, N, C, K, Mg, K, Ca, Zn, Mn, Fe, Al and Cu. Optional: Pb, Hg and Cd, Cl, F.
• Stand information and silvicultural data
  Description of the stand: Tree species, age, height, diameter at breast height, Krafts’ class, stand layer, mixture type, crown base, crown closure, tree position, stand boundaries, regeneration, management type and forest status (whether it is a forest or not)
• Crown condition (identical to the Forest Condition Survey)
  This is assessed primarily on the basis of crown thinning and serves as an indicator of forest vitality. Damage factors are recorded.
• Ground vegetation
  Recording of the cover of plant species, frequency or number of species, lichens/mosses and shoot lengths.

More detailed information on the documentation and harmonisation of methods can be found in Thünen Working Paper 97 (German language).