Stoffbilanz

Background and Objective

The aim of the project is to evaluate nutrient budgets at intensive forest monitoring sites in Germany (IMon,
ForUmV or ICP Forests Level II as well as additional sites of the federal states) and to quantify significant
ecosystem processes in typical forest ecosystems on the basis of harmonized methods. To this end, site
specific ecosystem balances are calculated. They allow us to understand and explain measured vitality and
growth dynamics as well as changes in forest soils. Ecosystem balances also allow us to quantify further
ecosystem functions of forest such as climate protection effects (sequestration of greenhouse gases) as
well as water provision services and assess their threat level. Reliable and in-depth understanding of
processes are applied to process-oriented models and allow the simulation of future developments of forest
ecosystems on the basis of management intensity, climate change as well as atmospheric inputs. The
methods and results will be transferred to the forestry sector through manuals, pamphlets, or software tools.

Approach

As part of the project, the most important ecosystem fluxes in ecosystems (at least deposition and soil water) are assessed and a nutrient budget is calculated for the most important nutrients. Missing elements of the nutrient balance at individual sites are estimated using transfer functions. The nutrient budgets will allow the simulation of future developments.