Report - ICP Forests

118 4. National Survey Reports in 2009
low rates of insect defoliation or pathogens were observed for most tree species in 2009. Also,
bark beetle infestation reached one of the lowest level since the storm in 1999. This can be
attributed to the relative wet conditions in the last 3 years. In young Fraxinus excelsior, branch
die-back and wilting of twigs during the summer has spread dramatically in northern
Switzerland in 2009. In old trees branch-dieback has been observed since 2007, but no wilting
symptoms have yet been reported and crown defoliation has not been affected in many trees yet.
4.28 Turkey
In 2009, defoliation was assessed on 563 plots including 12 290 trees. In 2009, the mean
defoliation for conifers was 18.9%, and 21.5% for broadleaves. On 18.7% of the monitored
trees, defoliation was more than 25%. Pinus brutia had the highest defoliation among conifers
and Quercus pubescens the highest defoliation among the broadleaves.
In 2009, an improvement in forest health was identified. Improvement in the health status of
trees may be ascribed to better weather conditions in 2009 (more humid and temperate) as
compared to 2008. The most damaged regions both in 2009 and 2008 are the Black Sea coast of
Thrace and the Black Sea Regions (excluding the province of Kastamonu in 2009). The Thrace
Region is thought to be affected by transboundary air pollution from İstanbul and its
neighbourhood. It has been observed that high defoliation rates in Western, Central and Eastern
Black Sea Regions were caused by biotic factors. Furthermore in the plots close to industrial
zones, for example Iskenderun Iron and Steel Factory, Muğla-Yatağan Coal-fired Power Plant
Industrial Zone, the defoliation rate was found high.
In 2008 and 2009 in the Central Mediterranean region, forests appeared to be healthy. Plots of
the ICP Forests Level I Programme are planned to be linked to the network of the National
Forest Inventory.
Assessments of ground vegetation, biodiversity and crown condition are carried out on Level II
plots on a regular basis. The number of 15 Level II plots was kept stable. The installation of the
necessary laboratory facilities is still ongoing. Phenological observations were carried out on 7
Level II plots in 2009. On a number of plots, rain gauges, snow samplers and stem flow
measurement equipment installations were completed for deposition assessments. Litterfall traps
were placed and sample trees for leaf chemistry studies were selected. Ozone damage
assessments were made on 4 Level II plots, but no ozone damage was identified.
4.29 Ukraine
In 2009, 35 065 sample trees were assessed on 1 483 forest monitoring plots in all of the
administrative regions of Ukraine. Mean defoliation of conifers was 10.5% and of broadleaved
trees 11.7%.
For the total sample insignificant changes were observed comparing to the previous year. In
2009, the percentage of healthy trees remained at the same level (66.4% against 66.5%). At the
same time, the share of slightly and moderately defoliated trees increased from 30.1% to 32.9%.
These changes may be considered, however, as being related to the change of the sample size.