Forest Condition in Europe - ICP Forests

Forest Condition in Europe 2013 75
The percentage of trees of all species within classes 2-4 in 2012 (28,5%) was higher than
in 2011 (25,4 %), and highest in the last ten years. The percentage of broadleaves in In the
forest condition survey in 2012, there was an increase of 8 plots in comparison to year
2011. Exactly one hundred sample plots (2400 trees) on the 16 x 16 km grid network were
included in the survey after an extensive field inspection of non-active plots.The mean
annual temperature in Croatia in 2012 was higher than normal, and precipitation was
normal to very low. These climatic conditions had an obvious impact on tree crown
conditionclasses 2-4 (23,7 %) was also highest in the last ten years of survey. For conifers,
the percentage of trees in classes 2-4 was 54,7%, a significant increase from year 2011
(45,1%). There were 369 conifer trees and 2031 broadleaves in the sample.
Pinus nigra, with 70,6% trees in the classes 2-4, along with Abies alba (67,9%) were our
most defoliated tree species.
With broadleaved trees, the deterioration of crown condition was most prominent with Pedunculate
oak. The percentage of Quercus robur trees in classes 2-4 was fairly constant at around
25-30 % until the year 2000. Afterwards it decreased to values below 20% (15,4% in 2003,
18,5% in 2004). In 2005 a slight increase was recorded with 22,1%, followed by 22,2% in
2008, 22,8% in 2009, 26,0% in 2010 and 22,3% in 2011. This year the value was 27,8% of
moderately to severely defoliated oak trees.
Fagus sylvatica remains one of the tree species with lowest defoliation with 13,7% trees
in the defoliation class 2-4. In the last ten years of monitoring, this percentage varied from
5,1% in 2003 to 13,8 % in year 2011.
5.6. Cyprus
The annual assessment of crown condition was conducted on 15 “Level I” plots, during the
period September - October 2012. The assessment covered the main forest ecosystems of Cyprus
and a total of 360 trees (Pinus brutia, Pinus nigra and Cedrus brevifolia) were assessed.
Defoliation, discoloration and the damaging agents were recorded.
A comparison of the results of the conducted survey with those of the previous year (2011)
shows a significant improvement among all species. From the total number of trees assessed
(360 trees), 25,83% of them were not defoliated, 63,61% were slightly defoliated, 10% were
moderately defoliated, and 0,56% were severely defoliated.
A comparison with the results of the previous year, 2012 results show an increase of 13,33%
in class 0 (not defoliated). A decrease of 7,5% in class 1 (moderately defoliated) and a decrease
of 5,83% in class 2 (severely defoliated) have been observed. No changes have been
observed in class 3 and no dead trees have been recorded (class 4, Dead). The observed improvement
of crown in 2012 is mainly due to the sufficient rainfall of the period 2008 - 2011.
In the case of Pinus brutia, 27% of the sample trees showed no defoliation, 61,34% were
slightly defoliated, 11,33% were moderately defoliated and 0,33% were severely defoliated.
For Pinus nigra, 27% of the sample trees showed no defoliation, 61,33% showed slight defoliation
while the rest 11,33% were moderately defoliated and 0,33% were severely defoliated.
For Cedrus brevifolia, 19,44% of the sample trees showed no defoliation, 77,78% were slightly
defoliated and 2,78% were moderately defoliated. No dead trees have been observed.
From the total number of trees assessed (360 trees), 100% of them were not discolorated.