Why is our forest stressed?

Many stress factors affecting trees and soil organisms in forests are caused or at least enforced by anthropogenic activities. Soil acidification, soil compaction, increased nitrogen deposition and increased ozone flux evoke nutrient imbalances in soils and trees. Unhealthy trees are then more vulnerable to parasites or weather extremes. Increased mortality may be a consequence.
Currently, forests are mainly stressed by prolonged drought periods interacting with anthropogenic pollutants and introduced parasites.

   Lysimeter and throughfall collector to measure pollutant loads in the forest.
   The water in the suction cups and in the funnels is collected and analysed once
   per month.