idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
ICP Forests was founded 40 years ago. The international cooperation programme was a direct response to the air pollution which has damaged forests in many regions of Europe. Since then, two extensive monitoring programmes have been used to collect data on the condition of the forests. This data not only forms the basis for research, but also for political decisions and measures to protect forests.
Eberswalde/Dresden (May 19, 2025). The images of dead trees in the 1980s are deeply engraved in Europe's collective memory. As a direct response to air pollution, acid rain, and the resulting debate on forest dieback, the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) was founded 40 years ago. A reason to celebrate: from the 19th to 23rd of May, experts from science, practice, and politics will come together in Dresden under the motto ‘On the pulse of European Forests: 40 years of forest monitoring - from air pollution to climate change’ to jointly honour and discuss the past, present, and future of this pioneering monitoring programme.
However, the tasks for ICP Forests are greater than ever: today, European forests are increasingly affected by climate extremes such as drought, heatwaves, and storms, as well as species decline and pest infestations. ‘In times like these, programmes like ICP Forests are more important than ever,’ said Prof. Dr. Birgit Kleinschmit, President of the Thünen Institute, in her welcome note. ‘We need pan-European standardized, transparent, robust, and open data and methods. We need independent science to provide credible advice to policymakers. And we need to counter fake news - with facts, clarity, and transparency,’ explained Kleinschmit. The Thünen Institute coordinates ICP Forests on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Community (BMLEH).
Over the years, the programme has become a key component of the long-term, Europe-wide forest ecosystem monitoring. It not only provides unique data sets for scientists, but also plays an essential role in understanding the impact of air pollution, climate change, and other environmental factors on forests. ‘Our forests are under pressure. Without internationally coordinated long-term monitoring, we would be blind and unable to detect changes, identify patterns, determine causes, and ultimately find solutions,’ said Dr. Marco Ferretti, Chairperson of ICP Forests and Head of the Research Unit Forest Resources and Management at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL. Birgit Kleinschmit also emphasised: ‘With over 6,000 Level I plots and more than 800 intensive Level II plots, ICP Forests offers an unparalleled view of Europe's forests. Only through long-term, consistent monitoring can we understand the risks to which forests are exposed as a result of human activities and natural stress factors.’
Anniversary conference in Dresden
The Saxon State Ministry for the Environment and Agriculture has taken over the patronage of the anniversary week in Dresden. In addition to a celebratory event at the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, there will be a scientific conference and an excursion to the Eastern Ore Mountains. The excursion organised by Staatsbetrieb Sachsenforst offers participants the opportunity to experience the research results and progress in forest protection first hand. An anniversary report will also be presented, summarising the most important results from 40 years of ICP Forests, stories from the world of science, and an outlook on the future development of the programme.
About ICP Forests
Founded in 1985, the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) aims to make comprehensive information on the condition of forests available to scientists, politicians, and the general public. In total, the 42 member states monitor the influence of air pollutants and climate change on the condition of and changes to forest ecosystems on more than 6,000 experimental plots. ICP Forests is part of the Geneva Convention on Air Pollution (UNECE Air Convention). The programme works with a Europe-wide standardised methodology to ensure the comparability of results across national borders. Germany is in charge of the ICP Forests programme. The Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems coordinates the programme for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Community (BMLEH).
Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems, Eberswalde
Dr. Kai Schwärzel
E-mail: kai.schwaerzel@thuenen.de
Phone: +49 3334/38 20 375
http://icp-forests.net/
https://forecomon2025.thuenen.de/
A so-called Level II monitoring area for ICP Forests, which the Thünen Institute has set up in the S ...
Thünen Institute/Tanja Sanders
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A so-called Level II monitoring area for ICP Forests, which the Thünen Institute has set up in the S ...
Thünen Institute/Tanja Sanders
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