Study site
There are two ICP IM sites in Germany. The Neuglobsow-Stechlinsee site (North Brandenburg) has been in operation since 1998. This lowland site, featuring pine and beech trees, is classified as a clean air site, confirmed by the low nitrogen and sulfur deposition values. A summary of the published measurement results can be found on the UBA website.
Since June 2023, the Thünen Institute has been coordinating the measurements at this site on behalf of the UBA. This involves using new measurement methods not yet employed at any other ICP IM site, such as semi-automatic chamber systems to record CO2 flow rates (see Measurement and Investigation Methods). The second ICP IM site in Germany is the Forellenbach site in the Inner Bavarian Forest. It has been a study site within the framework of the UN/ECE Integrated Monitoring Programme since 1992.
Based on the investigations to date, the uniqueness of the site must be emphasized. This is due to the special conditions of the catchment area, at the center of which lies an oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) clear water lake. Its existence depends on consistently low nutrient inputs. Additionally, the mixed pine-beech forests in the study area serve as an example of forest stands on moraine sites in northern Germany. The knowledge gained provides insights into expected future forest development at comparable sites under changing precipitation regimes and as a result of climate chang