Objectives

(1) Assessment of tree condition at Level I sampling points
Collection of data in a 16 x 16 kilometer grid to provide periodic information on the spatial and temporal variation of tree vitality in relation to stress factors. As the survey is conducted across Europe using comprehensive national systematic networks, it contributes to a Europe-wide “early warning system” that detects undesirable developments and disturbances in forest ecosystems.

(2) Collection of data for better assessment of vitality and stress factors
Collection of data to contribute to a better assessment and evaluation of the vitality of trees and forest ecosystems as well as the causes and effects of stress factors. (This applies primarily to Level II, and only to a limited extent to Level I, as not all parameters are collected).

(3) Proven data quality
Independent field checks guarantee accurate assessments of key indicators of forest condition, which in turn enable high-quality statistical analyses of spatial and temporal changes in the condition of European forests.

(4) Information on the influence of damage causes on crown condition
Within the crown condition survey, the main objective of assessing damage causes (as described in section 5.2 of the ICP Forests Manual: Visual Assessment of Crown Condition and Damaging Agents) under this program is to provide information on their impact on crown condition. Monitoring should therefore focus primarily on the most important damage factors affecting crown condition.

(5) Regionalization of vitality indicators
Another objective is to filter out country-specific indicators for the respective forest condition. Within countries, different indicators sometimes have different intensities. The forest condition survey records the regional forest condition and its indicators.