The forest soil provides the long-term production basis for forest growth in the form of nutrients, rhizosphere and water. At the same time, it buffers atmospheric inputs by storing carbon, heavy metals and nitrogen compounds before they are discharged with the seepage water or in gaseous form.

The soil variables are therefore of fundamental importance for wood production and the stability of forests, climate protection, groundwater protection, nutrient sustainability and the nutrient cycle, as well as the habitat function of the soil for soil organisms.