The forest soil provides the long-term production basis for forest growth in the form of nutrients, root space, and water. At the same time, it buffers atmospheric inputs by storing carbon, heavy metals, and nitrogen compounds before they are leached out with infiltrating water or released into the atmosphere.

Thus, soil variables are crucial for wood production and forest stability, climate and groundwater protection, nutrient sustainability and nutrient cycling, as well as the soil's habitat function for soil organisms.

Assessed parameters:

• Carbon and nitrogen
• Nutrients
• Soil reaction, exchangeable ions
• Heavy metals
• Physical soil parameters