Commission Regulation (EC) No 1737/2006 of 7 November 2006 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the Community
Date: 2006-11-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European forestry policy, air quality, data collection, environmental monitoring, fire protection, forest conservation, information system

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I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1737/2006

of 7 November 2006

laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 of the European
Parliament and of the Council concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the
Community

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 of the Euro-
pean Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 con-
cerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in
the Community (1), and in particular Articles 4(2), 5(5), 6(4), 7(3),
8(6), 9(6), 10(2), 14(5) and 15(4) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) With effect

from 1 January 2003, Regulation (EC)
No 2152/2003 provides the basis to continue and further
develop, with an integrated approach, the measures previ-
ously carried out under Council Regulation (EEC)
No 3528/86 of 17 November 1986 on the protection of
the Community’s forests against atmospheric pollution (2)
and Council Regulation
(EEC) No 2158/92 of
23 July 1992 on protection of the Community’s forests
against fire (3). Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 also pro-
vides possibilities to address new environmental issues of
relevance for the Community in the future.

(2)

At present the following Regulations apply: Commission
Regulation (EEC) 1696/87 of 10 June 1987 laying down
certain detailed rules for the implementation of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 on the protection of the
Community’s forests against atmospheric pollution (4),
Commission Regulation (EC) No 804/94 of 11 April 1994
laying down certain detailed rules for the application of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 as regards forest-
fire information systems (5), Commission Regulation (EC)
No 1091/94 of 29 April 1994 laying down certain

(1) OJ L 324, 11.12.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regula-

tion (EC) No 788/2004 (OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 17).

(2) OJ L 326, 21.11.1986, p. 2. Regulation as last amended by Regula-
tion (EC) No 804/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Coun-
cil (OJ L 132, 17.5.2002, p. 1).

(3) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992, p. 3. Regulation as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 805/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(OJ L 132, 17.5.2002, p. 3).

forests

against

atmospheric

detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regula-
tion (EEC) No 3528/86 on the protection of the Commu-
pollution (6),
nity’s
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1727/1999 of
28 July 1999 laying down certain detailed rules for the
application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 on
protection of the Community’s forests against fire (7),
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2278/1999 of 21 Octo-
ber 1999 laying down certain detailed rules for the appli-
cation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 on the
protection of the Community’s forests against atmo-
spheric pollution (8). For the purpose of implementing the
provisions of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003, certain pro-
visions of following implementing Regulations should
continue to apply, while others should be amended. In the
interest of effectiveness, clarity and rationality, those Regu-
lations should be replaced by a single text, and the provi-
sions that are still relevant should be incorporated into
that text.

(3)

(4)

(5)

The monitoring of air pollution effects on forests should
continue to be carried out on the basis of the systematic
network of observation points and of the network of
observation plots for intensive and continuous monitor-
ing, established and implemented under Regulation (EEC)
No 3528/86 and Regulations (EEC) No 1696/87 and (EC)
No 1091/94.

The development of new monitoring activities should be
limited to pilot phase actions in carrying out studies,
experiments and demonstration projects in order to iden-
tify options for the establishment of such new monitor-
ing activities.

Detailed rules and guidelines for the implementation of
Articles 6(3) and 16(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003,
as regards the establishment of new monitoring activities
and the reporting of the results of theses new activities are
not needed for the period 2003 to 2006 as such monitor-
ing activities are not foreseen to be implemented during
this period.

(6) OJ L 125, 18.5.1994, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 2278/1999.

(7) OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 41. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC)

(4) OJ L 161, 22.6.1987, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation

No 2121/2004 (OJ L 367, 14.12.2004, p. 17).

(EC) No 2278/1999 (OJ L 279, 29.10.1999, p. 3).

(5) OJ L 93, 12.4.1994, p. 11.

(8) OJ L 279, 29.10.1999, p. 3. Regulation as amended by Regulation

(EC) No 2121/2004.

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(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

The manual on parameters, monitoring methods and
data formats referred to in Article 10 of Regulation
(EC) No 2152/2003 is based on the monitoring provi-
sions set out
in the Annexes to Regulations (EEC)
No 1696/87, (EC) No 804/94 and (EC) No 1091/94. In
the light of recent technical progress it is however neces-
sary to revise those provisions. In particular the method-
ology for the crown condition surveys on the systematic
network of observation points and the network of obser-
vation plots for intensive monitoring should be merged.
The manual should also cover methodologies for the addi-
tional monitoring activities on issues such as phenology,
ambient air quality, ozone injury and litterfall.

(11)

The setting up of the national programmes and the finan-
cial aspects related to it should in particular take account
of the provisions of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom)
No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regula-
tion applicable to the general budget of the European
Communities (2) and Commission Regulation (EC, Eura-
tom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down
detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regula-
tion (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regu-
lation applicable to the general budget of the European
Communities (3).

Monitoring of forest fires should continue to be carried
out on the basis of the European Forest Fire Information
System, (EFFIS). EFFIS has been built on the achievements
of the Community information system on forest fires,
established and implemented under Regulation (EEC)
No 2158/92 and Regulation (EC) No 804/94 and includes
additional information gathered by the Joint Research Cen-
tre under the Forest Fire Risk Forecasting System (EFFRFS)
and the European Forest Fire Damage Assessment System
(EFFDAS).

Prevention measures against forest fires should be estab-
lished building on the achievements of Regulation (EEC)
No 2158/92 provided that such measures are not sup-
ported through Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/99 of
17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the
European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund
(EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regula-
tions (1) and provided they are not included in the rural
development programmes drawn up by the Member
States. This Regulation should establish common core data
to be submitted by Member States for any forest fires
occurred in their territory as well as technical specifica-
tions for the supply of such data.

(12)

Eligibility rules should be introduced to define the scope
of costs considered eligible for Community part financing.

(13)

The Scientific Advisory Group to be established pursuant
to Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 should
advise the Standing Forestry Committee on technical mat-
ters of the monitoring scheme.

(14)

Each Member State should designate a competent body on
the basis of criteria established by the basic act according
to Article 54(2)(c) of Regulation (EC,
Euratom)
No 1605/2002 in order to ensure compliance with the
requirements of a sound financial management and full
respect of the principles of non-discrimination and trans-
parency. The Member States, which should have the legal
and financial responsibility for implementing the approved
national programme, should be responsible for any irregu-
larities, neglect or fraud of the competent body.

(15)

In view of their decentralised administrative organisational
structures, Belgium, Germany and Portugal should be
allowed to designate more than one competent body.

For the purpose of ensuring coherence with other Com-
munity funded activities and to avoid duplications and
double funding, proposals for studies, experiments and
demonstration projects submitted by the Member States
to Articles 5, 6 and 7 of Regulation (EC)
pursuant
No 2152/2003 should be evaluated by the Commission
according to specified criteria.

(16) Data forwarded by Member States within the framework
of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 to the Commission
should be considered as documents within the meaning
of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001of the European Parlia-
ment and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public
access to European Parliament, Council and Commission
documents (4).

(10)

In order to ensure that such studies, experiments and dem-
onstration projects are adapted to on-going issues and
respond to actual needs in the field of forest monitoring
it will be necessary to establish a ranking of priorities for
granting Community support to such activities.

(17)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accor-
dance with the opinion of the Standing Forestry Commit-
tee established by Council Decision 89/367/EEC (5),

(2) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regula-
tion (EC, Euratom) No 1248/2006 (OJ L 227, 19.8.2006, p. 3).

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80. Regulation as last amended by Regula-

tion (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 277, 21.10.2005, p. 1).

(4) OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43.
(5) OJ L 165, 15.6.1989, p. 14.

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HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 4

Transmission of data

CHAPTER I

SUBJECT MATTER

Article 1

This Regulation lays down the detailed rules for the implemen-
tation of Article 4, Article 5(1) and (2), Article 6(1) and (2),
Article 7(1) and (2), Article 8, Article 9(3), Articles 10 and 14,
and Article 15(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003.

CHAPTER II

MONITORING OF AIR POLLUTION EFFECTS

SECTION 1

NETWORK OF OBSERVATION POINTS

(Article 4(1)(a) and 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

1.
By 15 December each year, each Member State shall for-
ward to the Commission the data collected during the preceding
year for each Level I point using the methods and forms set out
in Chapter 14 of Annex I.

In addition to that data, Member States shall submit a data
accompanying report setting out background information on the
monitoring methods applied. That report shall be drawn up in
accordance with Chapter 13 and point IV.1 of Chapter 14 of
Annex I.

The instructions and codes set out in Chapter 15 of Annex I shall
be used for the transmission of data collected in accordance with
the first subparagraph.

2.
Data related to privately owned land shall be geo-
referenced by latitude and longitude coordinates expressed at
least in degrees and in minutes. All other data shall be geo-
latitude and longitude coordinates
referenced in terms of
expressed in degrees and in minutes and in seconds.

3.
The part of the data accompanying report describing the
monitoring methods shall remain valid until those methods are
changed.

Systematic network of observation points and monitoring

SECTION 2

Article 2

1.
The systematic network of observation points, hereinafter
‘Level I points’, corresponding to a grid composed of units mea-
suring 16 × 16 km, covering the entire territory of each Member
State, hereinafter referred to as ‘the grid’, shall be utilised to carry
out annual crown conditions surveys.

Those surveys shall be carried out using the methods set out in
Chapter 2 of Annex I.

Observations shall be made at each intersection point fall-

2.
ing on forested land.

3. Member States may use denser networks than the Level I
points where it is necessary for the preparation of their annual
reports in accordance with Article 15(1) of Regulation (EC)
No 2152/2003, and in order to obtain representative data at a
national or regional level.

Article 3

Exceptions concerning the grid density

A sub-sample of the grid with units measuring 32 × 32 km

1.
may be used for the inventory covering other wooded land.

2.
A sub-sample of the grid with units measuring 32 × 32 km
may also be used for the inventory covering the large homoge-
neous forest areas situated in Finland north of 65° 30′ latitude
and in Sweden north of 59° latitude.

NETWORK OF OBSERVATION PLOTS

(Article 4(1)(b) and Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC)
No 2152/2003)

Article 5

Establishment of observation plots for intensive
monitoring

1.
The network of permanent observation plots established by
the Member States, hereinafter ‘Level II plots’, shall be used for
intensive and continuous monitoring of air pollution effects on
forest ecosystems. The number of Level II plots to be selected
for that network shall be limited to 15 for each Member State.

However, Member States may select a larger number of Level II
plots on the condition that the number does not exceed 20 % of
the number of national Level I points.

2.
Once a new or additional Level II plot is established Mem-
ber States shall together with the first data transmission concern-
ing that plot forward a review of the selection criteria and a
complete list of all plots to the Commission, including basic
information such as location, that is to say longitude, latitude
and altitude, and species, as well as general plot information for
each Level II plot installed in a standardised form.

The Level II plots shall be selected using the common meth-

3.
ods set out in Chapter 1 of Annex I.

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Article 6

Monitoring

The intensive and continuous monitoring of the forest ecosys-
tems shall include the following:

(a)

the continuous inventory of crown condition, foliar chemis-
try measurements and increment changes, on each observa-
tion Level II plot in accordance with Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of
Annex I;

(b) measurements of deposition chemistry, meteorology and soil
solution chemistry, as well as assessment of ground vegeta-
tion, on at least 10 % of the observation Level II plots in
accordance with Chapters 5 to 8 of Annex I;

(c) where appropriate, other monitoring activities such as
assessment of ambient air quality, visible ozone injury and
litterfall and phenological observations in accordance with
Chapters 9 to 12 of Annex I.

Article 7

Transmission of data

1.
By 15 December each year Member States shall forward to
the Commission all data measured during the preceding year for
each Level II plot using the methods and forms set out in Chap-
ter 14 of Annex I.

In addition to that data, Member States shall submit a data
accompanying report setting out the background information on
the monitoring methods applied. That report shall be drawn up
in accordance with Chapter 13 and point IV.1 of Chapter14 of
Annex I.

The instructions and codes set out in Chapter 15 of Annex I shall
be used for the transmission of data collected in accordance with
the first subparagraph.

Data related to privately owned land shall be geo-
2.
referenced by latitude and longitude coordinates expressed
respectively at least in degrees and in minutes. All other data
shall be geo-referenced in terms of latitude and longitude coor-
dinates expressed respectively in degrees and in minutes and in
seconds.

3.
The part of the data accompanying report describing the
monitoring methods shall remain valid until those methods are
changed.

CHAPTER III

EUROPEAN FOREST FIRE INFORMATION SYSTEM

(Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 8

Information covered

2.

The following data shall be recorded in EFFIS:

(a)

the common core data submitted in accordance with
Article 9;

(b) additional data for forest fires affecting areas of at least
50 hectares submitted in accordance with Article 10;

(c)

information provided by the Joint Research Centre on fore-
cast of fire risk within the framework of the European For-
est Fire Risk Forecasting System (EFFRFS) and on mapping
and evaluation of damages caused by fire which affect an
area of at least 50 hectares within the framework of the
European Forest Fire Damage Assessment System (EFFDAS).

Article 9

Common core data

1.
By 1 July each year, each Member States shall submit to
the Commission the common core data for every forest fire
which has occurred in their territory during the preceding year.
The common core data shall at least comprise the following
information presented in such a way as to be comparable at
Community level, in respect of each forest fire:

(a) date and local time of first alert;

(b) date and local time of first intervention;

(c) date and local time of extinction;

(d)

location of the outbreak at the commune level (common
code);

(e)

total fire-damaged area;

(f) breakdown of the fire-damaged area into forest and other

wooded land and non forested areas;

(g) presumed cause.

2.
The technical specifications set out in Annex II shall be
used for the purpose of recording the common core data referred
to in paragraph 1.

Article 10

Additional information

For forest fires which affect areas of at least 50 hectares addi-
tional information may be provided annually by the Member
States to the Commission in addition to the common core data
referred to in Article 9.

The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) shall

1.
be operated by the Joint Research Centre of the Commission.

Such additional information shall, if provided, include the level
of damage, that is to say, whether low, medium or high, and the
location.

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CHAPTER IV

(c)

they shall operate according to the requirements of sound
financial management;

STUDIES, EXPERIMENTS AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

(Article 5(2), 6(2) and 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 11

Evaluation of project proposals

The proposals for studies, experiments and demonstration
projects and testing on the basis of a pilot phase submitted by
the Member States pursuant to Articles 5(2), 6(2) and 7(2) of
Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003, hereinafter referred to as ‘project
proposals’, shall be evaluated by the Commission on the basis of
the criteria established in Annex III.

Article 12

Decision concerning the ranking for project proposals

The Commission shall establish a ranking of priorities for grant-
ing Community support of the project proposals.

CHAPTER V

COMPETENT BODIES

(Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 13

Competent bodies

1.
The competent body to be designated by each Member
State pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003,
hereinafter referred to as ‘competent bodies’, shall be the contact
point for the Commission.

(d)

they shall ensure the transparency of the operations carried
out in accordance with Article 56(1) of Regulation (EC, Eura-
tom) No 1605/2002.

Article 15

Additional conditions for private-law entities

Where Member States pursuant to Article 14 designate private-
law entities the Commission shall base its approval of those enti-
ties on the following proof provided by those entities:

(a)

(b)

their technical and professional capacity, on the basis of
documentary evidence of the educational and professional
qualifications of the members of their managerial staff;

their economic and financial capacity, on the basis of the
state guarantee provided in accordance with Article 14(3)(e)
of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 and appropriate state-
ments from banks or evidence of relevant professional risk
indemnity insurance, or balance sheets, or extracts from bal-
ance sheets, covering at least the last two years for which
accounts have been closed, where publication of the balance
sheet is required under the company law of the Member
State in which the entity is established;

(c)

their competence under national law to perform the budget-
implementation tasks, as attested by documentary evidence
such as their enrolment in a professional or trade register or
a sworn declaration or certificate, membership of a specific
organisation, express authorisation or entry in a register for
value added tax (VAT);

(d)

that they are not in one of the situations listed in Articles 93
and 94 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002;

Belgium, Germany and Portugal may designate more than

2.
one competent body.

(e)

that they agree to an audit by the Court of Auditors.

Article 14

Selection Criteria

Article 16

Agreement

The competent bodies shall comply with the rules laid
1.
down in Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 and Regula-
tion (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 as well as with the provisions
laid down in the present Regulation.

The Commission shall conclude an agreement with the compe-
tent bodies in conformity with Articles 56 of Regulation (EC,
Euratom) No 1605/2002 and Articles 35 and 41 of Regulation
(EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

The competent bodies shall meet at least the following

2.
criteria:

they shall be national public-sector bodies or private-law
entities with a public-service mission, governed by the law
of one of the Member States;

Article 17

Tasks of the competent bodies

The competent bodies shall carry out the following tasks:

they shall offer adequate financial guarantees, issued by a
public authority, in particular as regards full recovery of
amounts due to the Commission;

(a)

they shall conduct regular checks to ensure that the actions
to be financed under Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 have
been implemented correctly;

(a)

(b)

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(b)

they shall take appropriate measures to prevent irregulari-
ties and fraud and if necessary bring prosecutions to recover
funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used;

(c)

they shall provide the Commission with any information it
requests;

(d)

they shall be the intermediary to whom the Community con-
tribution is paid,

(e)

they shall hold the accounts and records of the receipt and
payment of that contribution in support of the national pro-
gramme, including all invoices and documents of a similar
probative value to support the costs of the programme.

Article 18

Checks by the Commission

The Commission may carry out document and on-the-spot
checks into the existence, the relevance and proper operation of
the competent bodies, in accordance with the rules of sound
financial management.

CHAPTER VI

NATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND ADAPTATIONS

SECTION 1

NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

(Article 7(2) and 8(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC)
No 2152/2003)

Article 19

Content

1.
The national programmes and the adaptations of those pro-
grammes in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC)
No 2152/2003 shall contain the information and supporting
documents indicated in Annex IV.

Member States shall use the forms set out in that Annex for sub-
mitting, in paper and digital format, the national programmes
and related adaptations to the Commission.

2.
All activities provided for in Articles 4 and 5, Article 6(2)
and (3) and Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 for
which a Community financial contribution is requested shall be
included in the national programme as individual applications.

SECTION 2

ADAPTATION

(Article 8(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 21

Adaptation

1.
Adaptations of the national programme shall only concern
studies, experiments, demonstration projects as well as monitor-
ing test phases in accordance with Articles 5(2), 6(2) and 7(2) of
Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003.

2.
Applications for the adaptation of the national programme
shall be submitted to the Commission using the forms set out in
Annex IV.

Applications for the adaptation of

3.
the national pro-
grammes for 2005-2006 shall be submitted to the Commission
not later than 31 October 2005 to be taken into consideration
for the following year.

CHAPTER VII

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING

SECTION 1

COSTS

Article 22

Definition of eligible costs

Eligible costs are costs that are directly and wholly attributable
to the national programme approved by the Commission.

Member States may apply stricter national rules for determining
eligible costs.

Article 23

Justification of expenditure

The expenditure shall be justified by adequate original docu-
ments, such as invoices, or documents of equal probative value.

The original documents shall not be annexed to the statement of
expenditures. The competent body shall, however, if requested,
including invoices,
provide the Commission with all details,
which it might need to assure the evaluation of the expenditure.

Article 20

Sub-programmes

Article 24

Costs considered eligible

The national programmes of Belgium, Germany and Portugal
may consist of sub-programmes provided by the competent
bodies.

1.
To be considered eligible, costs must have been provided
for in the approved national programme, and be directly linked
to, and necessary for, carrying out that programme.

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The costs must be reasonable and comply with the prin-
2.
ciples of sound financial management, in particular value for
money and cost-effectiveness.

Overhead costs are eligible up to a maximum of 7 % of the

2.
total amount of eligible direct costs.

The costs must have been actually incurred during the
3.
period of eligibility set out in the Commission decision approv-
ing the national programme. A cost is considered as incurred
during the period of eligibility when:

(a)

(b)

the legal obligation to pay the cost has been contracted after
the beginning of the period of eligibility and before the end
of that period;

the execution of the activity to which the cost is related must
have started after the beginning of the period of eligibility
and must be completed before the end of that period.

4.
The costs must have been fully paid before the submission
of the final documentation together with the final statement of
expenditure and income.

Article 25

Personnel costs

Personnel costs may be considered as eligible direct expenditure
in respect of the actual time devoted to the national programme.
They shall be calculated on the basis of the actual gross salary or
wages plus obligatory social charges, but excluding any other
cost.

The working time of each employee, including national civil ser-
vants and governmental agency employees working within the
national programme, shall be registered using time sheets or
reports from a time recording system established and certified
by the competent body and its eventual partners.

Article 26

Travel costs

Travel costs may be considered eligible if they are directly and
wholly attributable to the approved national programme. Travel
costs shall be charged in accordance with the internal rules of
the competent body.

Article 27

Overhead costs

3.
Overhead costs shall be charged to the national pro-
gramme in accordance with the authorized cost accounting
policy of the competent body.

Article 28

Capital costs

Where the costs include depreciation of capital investments with
a life of more than one year and a price of more than EUR 500,
these depreciation costs shall be considered eligible provided they
relate exclusively to the national programme and the eligibility
period of the concerned programme phase provided that: For
investment in construction and infrastructure these costs are
depreciated over 10 years using the straight line method, and for
other equipment
including informatics equipment 5 years
straight line method.

Article 29

Costs for the purchase of second-hand equipment

The purchase costs of second-hand equipment shall be eligible
under the following three conditions:

(a)

the seller of the equipment shall provide a declaration stat-
ing its origin, and confirm that at no point during the pre-
vious seven years has it been purchased with the aid of
national or Community grants;

(b)

the price of the equipment shall not exceed its market value
and shall be less than the cost of similar new equipment;

and

(c)

the equipment shall have the technical characteristics neces-
sary for the operation and comply with applicable norms
and standards.

Article 30

Subcontracting

Expenditure relating to subcontracts with intermediaries or con-
sultants shall be based upon actual costs and shall be supported
by the appropriate invoices and other supporting documents.
Exceptionally, where the cost is defined as a percentage of the
total costs of the operations, such cost may be considered eli-
gible only if the competent body is able to justify it by reference
to the actual value of the work or services provided.

1.
Overhead costs which are intended to cover general indi-
rect costs needed to employ, manage, accommodate and sup-
port directly or indirectly the personnel performing the work on
the national programme or which relate to on-site infrastructure
and equipment shall be eligible provided those costs are actual,
justifiable and do not include costs assigned to another budget
heading.

Article 31

Value-added tax

Value added tax (VAT) shall be considered eligible when the com-
petent body is not in a position to recover the VAT paid under
the national programme.

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The competent body shall provide a declaration from the rel-
evant national authorities that VAT could not be recovered for
the assets and services required for the measures carried out
under the national programmes.

referred to as the ‘Commission decision’. The Commission deci-
sion shall be addressed to the Member State.

Article 32

Ineligible costs

Article 35

Pre-financing

1.

The following shall not be regarded as eligible:

(a) any cost incurred for actions which benefit from aid under

other Community financial instruments;

The competent bodies may ask for a pre-financing of 50 % of
the annual Community assistance for the national programme
as indicated in the national programme no sooner than three
months after the date of notification of the Commission deci-
sion. The pre-financing shall be subjected to conclusion of an
agreement pursuant to Article 16.

(b) exchange rate losses;

(c) unnecessary or wasteful outlays;

(d) distribution expenses and marketing and advertising
expenses to promote products or commercial activities;

(e) any provisions for possible future losses or liabilities;

(f)

any debtor interest and interest on borrowed capital;

(g) bad debts.

Certain of the costs referred to in point (d) may, however, be
considered eligible as agreed with the Commission.

The non-eligible costs referred to in paragraph 1 shall not
2.
be considered by the Commission for the calculation of the total
programme cost.

Article 33

Exchange rate

Article 36

Statements

1.
The competent bodies shall submit to the Commission
statements of the payments made under the national pro-
gramme, using the models set out in Annex V. Those statements
shall be accompanied by a statement concerning the progress of
the activities undertaken under the national programme. The
statements shall be submitted not later than 15 months after the
date of notification of the Commission decision, and cover
expenditure made in the previous year.

Eligible expenditures which comply with the provisions of
2.
Section 1 of this Chapter and is identified in the annual state-
ment shall be offset by the Commission against the pre-financing
to the Member States under the national programmes.

Where the statements exceed the related pre-financing the Com-
mission shall make an interim payment.

1.
Conversion between the euro and the national currency
shall be made using the daily euro rate published in the C series
of the Official Journal of the European Union.

In no circumstances may those interim payments exceed 30 %
of the annual Community assistance for the national programme.

2.
The rate to be used for conversion between the euro and
national currencies shall be the exchange rate published on the
last working day of the month preceding that in which the
national programme, or as regards payments, the financial report
and request
is signed and submitted to the
Commission.

for payment

SECTION 2

PAYMENT

(Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 34

Decision on financial contribution

Article 37

Technical and financial implementation

Each of the two phases as referred to in Article 34 must
1.
have achieved full technical and financial implementation in
accordance with the
requirements of Regulation (EC)
No 2152/2003 and of this Regulation not later than two years
after the date of notification of the Commission decision.

The competent bodies shall make the request for payment of the
balance of the eligible expenditure not later than 27 months after
the date of notification of the Commission decision.

The Commission shall decide on financial contributions to the
eligible costs of the national programmes in two phases, one deci-
sion for each year of the programming period, hereinafter

2.
The balance for each phase shall be paid after the Commis-
sion has received a request for final payment for each phase and
has checked the financial statement accompanying this request
for payment.

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Article 38

Coordination of requests for payment

In accordance with their national law Member States shall ensure
that requests for payments by the competent bodies are coordi-
nated and comply with the Commission decision.

Article 39

Applications for pre-financing and payments

The competent bodies shall submit applications to the Commis-
sion for pre-financing and for payments using the models set out
in Annexes VI, VII, and VIII.

SECTION 3

IRREGULARITIES

(Article 14(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 40

Irregularities

1.
Any amounts lost through irregularities or negligence shall
be recovered by the Member State and shall be reimbursed to
the Community.

2. Where the Commission, within five years following the
final payment of the balance of the final year of the national pro-
gramme, notes any irregularity in an operation financed by the
Community where the amount concerned has not been reim-
bursed to the Community under paragraph 1, it shall inform the
Member State thereof and give it an opportunity to comment.

3.
If analysis of the situation and any comments by the Mem-
ber State concerned result in the Commission confirming the
irregularity, the Member State shall reimburse the amounts
concerned.

SECTION 4

CHECKS, AUDITS AND TECHNICAL VISITS

(Article 14(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 41

Commission financial audit

The Commission or any authorised representative shall
2.
have access to documentation required to ascertain the eligibility
of costs of the national programme participants such as invoices
and pay roll extracts.

3.
The audit shall be carried out on a confidential basis. The
Commission shall take appropriate steps to ensure that its autho-
rized representatives treat confidentially the data to which they
have access or which have been provided to them.

The Commission may verify the use made by the competent bod-
ies, the contractors or the sub-contractors responsible for the
detailed implementation of the measures carried out under the
national programme of the Community’s financial contribution.

4.
A report on the findings of the audit, pertaining to the com-
petent bodies and other parties responsible for the implementa-
tion of the measures of the national programme, shall be sent to
the competent bodies, the contractors and sub-contractors con-
cerned. They may communicate their observations to the Com-
mission within one month of receiving it. The Commission may
decide not to take into account the observations conveyed after
the deadline.

5.
On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the Commis-
sion shall take all appropriate measures it considers necessary,
including the issuing of a recovery order regarding all or part of
the payments made by it.

Article 42

Checks and technical visits

The competent bodies shall allow Commission staff and persons
authorised by the Commission access to the sites or premises
where the measures under a national programme are being car-
ried out and to all documents relating to the technical and finan-
cial management of the operation. Access by persons authorised
by the Commission may be subject to confidentiality arrange-
ments to be agreed between the Commission and the competent
body.

Checks may be initiated during the programming period and shall
be carried out on a confidential basis.

The competent bodies and the parties responsible for the imple-
mentation of the measures carried out under the national pro-
gramme shall provide appropriate assistance to the Commission
or persons authorised by it.

Article 43

Evaluations

the competent bodies,

The Commission, or any representative authorised by it,
1.
may audit
the contractors or sub-
contractors responsible for the detailed implementation of the
measures carried out under the national programme at any time
during the contract and up to five years after the final payments
of the Community contribution to the national programme.

(Article 8(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

1. Member States shall carry out ex-ante evaluation, mid-term
review and an ex-post evaluation of the national programmes in
accordance with Annex IX.

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The ex-ante evaluation shall include verification in detail of
2.
the relevance, feasibility and sustainability of the activities set out
in the national programme as well as an examination of the
results to be expected. The results of the ex-ante evaluation shall
be transmitted to the Commission together with the national
programmes.

3.
The mid-term review and the ex-post evaluation shall
include an assessment of the implementation status, the effective-
ness and efficiency of the monitoring activities carried out within
the framework of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003. The results of
the mid-term review shall be transmitted to the Commission
before the 1 July 2006 and the results of the ex-post evaluation
shall be transmitted to the Commission before 1 July 2007.

The mandate of the Scientific Advisory Group shall be lim-
3.
ited to the execution period of the scheme set out in Article 12(1)
of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003.

CHAPTER IX

ACCESS TO DATA

(Article 15(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 45

Access to data

CHAPTER VIII

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY GROUP

(Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Article 44

Tasks

As far as necessary for the realisation of their actions on the basis
of Article 9(5) and 11(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003,
access to the data referred to in Articles 4(1) and 5(1) of that
Regulation shall be granted to the European Environmental
Agency and the International Co-operative Programme on
Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests
operating under the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe, (ICP Forests).

1.
The Scientific Advisory Group to be established pursuant
to Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 shall advise the
Standing Forestry Committee on the following subjects:

(a)

the need to carry out specific studies or analyses;

(b)

the need to set up ad hoc working groups for specific topics;

(c)

the improvement of the organisation and structure of the
monitoring scheme;

CHAPTER X

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 46

Repeal

(d)

science-policy interface;

2.

The Scientific Advisory Group may give its opinion on:

Regulation (EEC) No 1696/87 and Regulations (EC) No 804/94,
(EC) No 1091/94, (EC) No 1727/1999 and (EC) No 2278/1999
are repealed.

(a) proposals for studies,

(b)

results deriving from the studies such as relevance and data
quality and, more generally, from the reports presenting the
results from the monitoring scheme,

Article 47

Entry into force

(c) draft manuals.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following
that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 7 November 2006.

For the Commission
Stavros DIMAS
Member of the Commission

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Manual on parameters, monitoring methods and data formats for harmonised monitoring of air pollution
effects on forests

ANNEX I

Structure of the Manual

This manual consists of the following 15 chapters:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

COMMON METHODS FOR THE SELECTION OF LEVEL II PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR THE SURVEY OF THE CROWN CONDITION ON LEVEL I AND LEVEL II
PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR FOLIAR CHEMISTRY MEASUREMENTS ON LEVEL II PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR MEASUREMENTS OF INCREMENT CHANGES ON LEVEL II PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR DEPOSITION MEASUREMENTS ON THE LEVEL II PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR MEASUREMENTS OF METEOROLOGY ON LEVEL II PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR SOIL SOLUTION MONITORING ON LEVEL II PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR GROUND VEGETATION ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

COMMON METHODS FOR LITTERFALL ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

Chapter 10

COMMON METHODS FOR AMBIENT AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

Chapter 11

COMMON METHODS FOR VISIBLE OZONE INJURY ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

Chapter 12

COMMON METHODS FOR PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON LEVEL II PLOTS

Chapter 13

DETAILS FOR THE SUBMISSION OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE MONITORING
METHODS APPLIED AND THE RESULTS OF EVALUATION/INTERPRETATION OBTAINED ON
NATIONAL LEVEL

Chapter 14

COMMON INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE REPORTING OF THE RESULTS AND THE DATA FORMATS

Chapter 15

CODE LIST AND EXPLANATORY ITEMS FOR SURVEY DATA OF LEVEL I AND LEVEL II PLOTS

The specific provisions established by each chapter are based on technical recommendations of Expert Panels of the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air
Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests). A distinction is made between mandatory and optional monitoring activities
(parameters, methods, etc.).

The chapters 1 to 8 and 14 to 15 build on the technical descriptions made in the Annexes of Commission Regulation (EC)
No 1091/94 and in addition on sub-manuals concerning litterfall, ambient air quality, visible ozone injury and phenologi-
cal assessments, which have not been covered by the above mentioned Regulation.

Chapter 2 provides for the technical details concerning the monitoring of crown condition on Level I points as well as on
Level II plots as this is the only survey to be carried out regularly on both networks. Apart from this, only the two chap-
ters on data submission and data formats (chapters 14 and 15) cover both Level I and Level II.

CHAPTER 1

COMMON METHODS FOR THE SELECTION OF LEVEL II PLOTS

I.

Selection of Level II plots

The selection of monitoring plots is under the responsibility of the Member States, although the following criteria for the
selection shall apply:

— the minimum size of a plot shall be 0,25 hectares measured on a horizontal plane,

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— to minimise the effects from activities on surrounding areas the plot shall be surrounded by a buffer zone. The actual
width of this zone depends on the type and age of the forest. If the area of the plot and its surroundings is uniform
with regard to height and age structure, the width of the buffer zone can be restricted to 5 or 10 m. If the forest area
in which the plot is located consists of mixed stands, different species or age structure, the buffer zone shall be
enlarged to up to five times the potential maximum height of the trees in the plot,

— the plots shall be easily accessible at all times and no restrictions with regard to the access and sampling should exist,

— there shall be no differences in the management of the plot, its buffer zone and the surrounding forest,

— disturbance caused by the monitoring shall be kept to a minimum,

— direct pollution from known local sources shall be avoided

— the plots shall be located sufficiently far away from the forest edge, up to five times the potential maximum height of

the trees in the plot.

II.

Installation and documentation of plots

Each installed plot shall be described in detail. General data concerning new or additional plots shall be determined and
reported to the Commission in the framework of the next regular data submission. The detailed description of the plot
shall include: the exact location of the plot (positioning of the centre and the corners of the plot), a sketch map showing
the permanent marking of the plot corners and/or boundaries, the number of trees in the plot and any other relevant
permanent identifiable elements in or nearby the plot (e. g. access road, rivers, ditches, large trees). The location of sam-
plers and sample sites (e.g. deposition samplers or soil pits) shall be positioned (GPS or distance and direction from the
centre of the plot) and recorded on this map as well.

III. Definition of a sub-plot

In principle all trees in the total plot are to be included in the sample for the tree assessments (e.g. crown inventory,
increment assessment). In the case that the plot has many trees (i.e. dense stands), a sub-plot may be defined to be used for
these surveys. The size of the sub-plot at the time of the installation of the plot should be large enough to give reliable
estimates for these surveys for a minimum of 20 years, preferably throughout the life of the stand. A minimum of at least
20 trees in the sub-plot should be available in this period.

IV. General information on each plot

The following general information on each permanent observation plot for the intensive and continuous monitoring shall
be collected during the installation of a new plot and the first surveys:

Installation

First surveys

— Descriptive code

— Site data

Country

Observation plot number

Actual latitude and longitude

Altitude

Orientation

Total plot size

Number of trees in plot

Subplot (if any)

Availability of water to the principal species

Humus type

Soil unit (estimate)

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Installation

First surveys

— Stand data

— Other observations

Mean age of dominant storey

Main tree species

Yield (estimate)

History of the plot

Other monitoring stations situated nearby

Where additional plots are installed in order to complete the national intensive monitoring programme, the Member States
shall forward to the European Commission for each installed plot the information collected during the installation using a
data file and reports (by the end of the same year in which the installation took place).

All changes during the years concerning the monitoring set-up and other important information (e.g. forest operations,
storms and pests incidents) shall be submitted yearly.

V. Replacement of destroyed plots and additional plots

Destroyed and additional plots should be selected among the existing Level I plots and following the selection criteria set
out in this Chapter. The re-installed or additional plots shall be given a new number. Member States shall submit to the
Commission, together with the next regular data submission, information on the reason for the plot replacement or the
need for additional plots, the results of last observations/measurements made and the criteria applied for the selection of
the new plots.

VI. Data transfer

Member States shall forward the information referred to in this Chapter to the Commission for each Level II plot using the
formats established by forms 1 and 2 set out in Chapter 14.

COMMON METHODS FOR THE SURVEY OF CROWN CONDITION ON LEVEL I POINTS AND LEVEL II
PLOTS

CHAPTER 2

I.

General remarks

The survey of crown condition pursuant to Article 2 and Article 6(a) is mandatory and shall be carried out on all Level I
points and Level II plots and shall be repeated annually. The following provisions are based on technical recommenda-
tions of Expert Panel on Crown Condition of the UNECE International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Moni-
toring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests).

II.

Selection of sample trees

II.1.

Selection of sample trees on Level I points

At each sampling point, sample trees shall be selected according to a stringently defined, objective and unbiased statistical
procedure (e.g. four point cross cluster orientated along the main compass directions with corner points at 25 m distance
from the grid point using a six-tree sampling process on each subplot or sample trees chosen following a spiral from the
plot centre). In younger dense stands where individual crowns are not assessable, the selection of sample trees should be
based on a defined geometrical process. This process shall be repeated until a sufficient number of trees with assessable
crowns have been found. The following selection criteria are to be taken into account:

— Member States may decide on the number of trees to be assessed at each point; however, the sample shall not

consist of less than 20 trees or more than 30 and the number shall remain constant,

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— all tree species shall be included in the assessment. Sample trees should have a minimum height of 60 cm. Only
predominant, dominant and co-dominant trees corresponding to the Kraft tree classes 1, 2, and 3 respectively,
qualify as sample trees for the purpose of crown condition assessment. Trees of these social classes with broken
tops cannot qualify as sample trees,

— trees removed as part of management operations, fallen trees (e.g. blown over by the wind or broken) and dead
trees must be replaced by new sample trees selected according to an unbiased procedure. A tree is defined as dead if
all conductive tissues in the stem have died. A dead tree must be recorded but only once. Clear-cutting of the stands
imply that the sample point ceases to exist until a new stand has been established,

— the centre of a sampling unit must be marked for reassessment of subsequent inventories. Sample trees should be

identifiable for the following year’s assessment, if possible without permanent labeling.

II.2.

Selection of sample trees on Level II plots

All pre-dominant, dominant and co-dominant trees corresponding to the Kraft tree classes 1, 2, and 3 respectively, in the
total plot are to be monitored. In the case that the plot has many trees (e.g. dense stands), the number of sample trees for
the crown assessment can be reduced by using a sub-plot. In the case of a sub-plot all the pre-dominant, dominant and co-
dominant trees corresponding to the Kraft tree classes 1, 2, and 3 respectively, in the sub-plot are to be monitored. In
certain cases it can be allowed that a different, but objective and unbiased system is used to reduce or to select the number
of trees to be sampled. The same methods shall be applied every year and a minimum of 20 trees shall be assessed each
survey.

III.

Date of assessment

The inventory shall be undertaken between the end of the formation of new needles and leaves and before the autumnal
leaf discoloration.

IV.

General background information

The following plot and tree parameters must be assessed on Level I points:

— for each plot:

— descriptive code,

— country,

— date of observation,

— observation point number,

— actual latitude and longitude coordinates,

— availability of water to principal species,

— humus type,

— altitude,

— orientation,

— stand data,

— mean age of dominant storey,

— soil data,

— soil unit,

— additional plot information specific for the current year (operations, events),

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— for each tree in the plot:

— plot number,

— sample tree data:

— tree number,

— tree species,

— defoliation,

— discoloration,

— damage due to easily identifiable causes (insect, fungi, abiotic agents…),

— identification of damage type,

— observations on the tree in the plot.

The following plot and tree information must be collected on Level II plots:

— country,

— plot number,

— date of assessment

— number of trees

— tree species

— orientation,

— information on removals and mortality,

— exposure,

— social class,

— crown shading,

— visibility.

V.

Assessment of sample trees

V.1. Visual assessment of defoliation

Defoliation shall be estimated annually in 5 % steps in relation to a tree with full foliage in local condition. The classifica-
tion of trees into degrees of defoliation shall be carried out during the observation and shall be registered in 5 % steps.

A tree with a defoliation between 95 % and 100 %, which is still alive, is scored as 99. The score 100 is reserved for
dead trees.

Class

0

1

2

3

4

not defoliated

slightly defoliated

moderately defoliated

severely defoliated

Dead

Degree of defoliation

Percentage of needle/leaf loss

0 - 10

11 - 25

26 - 60

61 - 99

100

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V.2. Visual assessment of discoloration

The classification of trees into degrees of discoloration shall be carried out.

The degrees of discoloration shall be defined as follows:

Class

0

1

2

3

None or negligible

Slight

Moderate

Severe

Discoloration

Indicative percentage of
needles/leaves discolored

0 - 10

11 - 25

26 - 60

> 60

If, in addition, defoliation and discoloration classes are combined, the following combined damage classes shall be used:

Defoliation class

0

1

2

3

4

Discoloration class

2

Resulting damage class

I

II

III

III

IV

3

II

II

III

III

IV

1

0

I

II

III

IV

0 = not damaged, I = slightly damaged, II = moderately damaged, III = severely damaged, IV = dead

VI.

Assessment of damage causes

VI.1. Selection of sample trees

The assessment of damage causes is optional in order to complement the annual crown condition survey.

VI.2. Frequency and timing

Level I + Level II: assessment of damage causes shall be carried out during normal crown condition assessment in summer.

In Level II plots where the complete programme is carried out, the so-called ‘key-plots’’, an additional visit for damage
assessment shall be made if important damage is observed outside the period of crown condition assessment. The obser-
vations of the staff responsible for deposition sampling or phenological observations may act as an early warning system.
This additional visit shall be made at the time when the main damage cause is supposed to be at its maximum (e.g. spring
for defoliators).

VI.3. Parameters to be assessed

The following table sets out an overview of parameters in Level I points/Level II plots.

Symptom description

Specification of affected part

Symptom

Specification of symptom

Location in crown

1.1. Cause

1.2. Extent

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VII. Data transfer

Member States shall use forms 3-8 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the Commission of the information for
each plot

COMMON METHODS FOR FOLIAR CHEMISTRY MEASUREMENTS ON LEVEL II PLOTS

CHAPTER 3

I.

General remarks

The inventory of foliar chemistry in accordance with Article 6(a) shall be carried out on all Level II plots and shall be
repeated on each individual plot in a two year interval. The following provisions are based on technical recommendations
of Expert Panel on Foliar Chemistry of the UNECE International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring
of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests).

II.

Inventory methodology

II.1. Date of sampling

Deciduous species and larch: sampling shall be done when the new leaves are fully developed, and before the very beginning
of the autumnal yellowing and senescence.

Evergreen species: sampling shall be done during the dormancy period. Member States are requested to define for each region,
and inside each region for plains and mountains, the most convenient period for the sampling and analysis of the various
species, and to keep to this period.

The foliage inventory shall be carried out for deciduous species and larch in summer 2005 and for evergreen species in
winter 2005/2006. The inventory shall be repeated on each individual plot in a two years interval.

II.2. Selection of trees

Every second year, at least five trees of each main species present in the plot shall be sampled.

The numbers of trees needed for the sampling shall be selected in such a way that:

— the trees are different from those used for the crown assessment, in order to avoid that successive samplings intro-

duce loss of foliage,

— in case the vitality assessment is restricted to the trees in the sub-plot, the trees for the foliage sampling shall be
selected from the remaining part of the total plot. If no sub-plot is used the trees for sampling shall be selected from
the trees in the buffer zone. In this case the trees selected for sampling in the buffer zone shall be given a special
number,

— the trees belong to the predominant and dominant classes (forest with closed canopy) or to the trees with average

height ± 20 % (forest with open canopy),

— the trees are in the vicinity of the locations where soil samples were taken for analysis; however care shall be taken

that the main roots of the sample trees have not been damaged by soil sampling,

— the trees are representative of the mean defoliation level of the plot (± 5 % of the mean foliage loss),

— the trees are representative of the sanitary status of the plot.

The same sample trees shall be sampled over the years; the trees shall be numbered. To avoid damage to the sample trees,
it is allowed to alternate between two sets of five trees, when necessary. Each set shall respond to the above conditions.

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Only trees of the main species shall be sampled (see Annex I, Chapter 15, item 16).

Trees which are used for the sampling of foliage shall be assessed on crown condition, using the existing or the specially
assigned numbers.

II.3. General information

The following information shall be collected:

— plot number,

— data of sampling and analysis;

— tree species.

II.4. Selection and quantity of leaves and needles

The trees in the plot shall not be felled, which may influence the sampling method of leaves or needles. It is important
that sampled leaves or needles have developed in full light.

The sampled leaves or needles shall be taken from the upper third of crown, but not from the very first whorls in the
conifers;

For deciduous species, sampling shall be done on current year leaves or needles.

For evergreen species, sampling shall be done of both the current year needles or leaves and the second year needles or
leaves (current + 1).

For all species it is necessary to take care that leaves or needles which are sampled are mature ones, especially for species
which have several flushes per year (e.g. Pinus Halepensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Eucalyptus sp. Quercus sp.) For Larix sp.
and Cedrus sp. samples are taken of the short twigs of the previous year.

In general, sampling shall be carried out in such a way that all the orientations are represented in the set of sample trees. If
necessary it is allowed to sample different orientations on each tree of the sample set. In special sites with evident influ-
ence of one orientation (e.g. steep slopes or strong dominant wind) only one orientation is sampled, which always has to
be the same. In such cases, it is necessary to document the orientation.

For the analysis of major elements and Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, the recommended quantity is 30 grams of fresh needles or leaves
for each sampled age class.

Each country may decide to sample a larger quantity of leaf material, according to the need of its own analytical methods,
or in order to conserve samples for the future.

II.5. Means of sampling

As trees cannot be felled, any convenient way of sampling, taking into consideration kind and size of stands etc., is accept-
able, provided that it does not lead to contamination of the sample, to heavy tree damage, or to risks for the sampling
team.

II.6. Pre-treatment before sending the samples to the laboratories for analysis

At least five trees of each main species present in the plot are sampled; the five samples are individually preserved in bags;
for analysis, a composite sample shall be made by mixing equal quantities of each of the five samples (in case the five trees
are analysed individually, the mean value is calculated for each element).

Great care shall be taken to clearly mark each sample (forest, number of plot, species, age of needles, etc.) before sending
it to the laboratory for analysis. These identifications shall be given outside the bag (directly on the bag by indelible ink, or
by clasping a label on the bag).

II.7. Treatment before analysis

The determination of the mass of 100 leaves or 1 000 needles, as well as the shoot mass, shall be used for the intensive
and continuous surveillance on the permanent observation plots and the current year shoot.

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It is not necessary to cut the petioles of the leaves but in case of compound leaves it may be advisable to detach the small
leaves from the axis if this has not been done in the forest. To avoid contamination, no powdered plastic gloves shall be
used.

It is not necessary to systematically wash the samples, but it may be advisable in regions with a high level of air pollution
or near the sea. The samples shall be washed with water without any additions.

Oven drying shall be done at no more than 80 °C for at least 24 hours. The needles shall be removed from the twigs with
the same precautions as for detaching the small leaves from their axis.

II.8. Chemical analyses

Only the total element concentration is determined.

Each country is allowed to use its national methods. But it is necessary to certify the total element concentrations obtained
by national methods with those certified on the reference standard samples. The foliage inventory will distinguish between
mandatory and optional parameters (see list below)

Mandatory parameters

Optional parameters

Nitrogen (N)

Sulphur (S)

Phosphorus (P)

Calcium (Ca)

Magnesium (Mg)

Potassium (K)

III. Data transfer

Zinc (Zn)

Manganese (Mn)

Iron (Fe)

Copper (Cu)

Lead (Pb)

Boron (B)

Member States shall use formats established by forms 9, 10 and 11 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the
Commission of the information for each plot.

COMMON METHODS FOR MEASUREMENTS OF INCREMENT CHANGES ON LEVEL II PLOTS

CHAPTER 4

I.

General remarks

The measurements of increment changes in accordance with Article 6(a) shall be carried out on all plots in the dormancy
period. The reference for the first inventory under Regulation (EC) 2152/2003 shall be dormancy period of the winter
2004/2005 and shall be repeated in a five year interval.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of Expert Panel on Forest growth of the UN/ECE Inter-
national Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests). The
measurement of the growth is divided into two parts:

— periodic measurements on tree parameters (mandatory all five years),

— tree ring analysis by means of increment cores and stem discs (optional).

The methodologies described here are inappropriate for maquis and similar vegetation types.

Member States are free to carry out, in addition to the periodic measurements on tree parameters, permanent continuous
girth band measurements.

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II.

Inventory methodology

II.1. Date of measurements

Measurements shall be done during the dormancy period.

II.2. Selection of sample trees

In principle all trees in the total plot shall be monitored. In the case that the plot has many trees (e.g. dense stands), a
sub-plot may have been defined to be used for the tree assessment. In this case the trees in the sub-plot shall be moni-
tored. The size of the sub-plot at the time of the inventory should be large enough to give reliable estimates for stand
increment over the entire measurement period. The exact size of this sub-plot shall be determined and reported.

All trees with at least 5 cm diameter over bark shall be individually identifiable by numbering.

II.3. General information

The following information shall be collected:

— plot number,

— data of sampling and analysis,

— tree number.

II.4. Parameters to be measured

Periodic measurements

Tree species

Bark

Mandatory parameters

Optional parameters

Diameter at breast height (DBH)

Tree height (on all trees)

Tree height

Crown height (on all trees)

Height to crown base on a sub-sample of
trees in the plot

Crown width

Information on management operations

Volume estimates

Tree ring analysis

Ring width

History of the tree diameter under bark in five
years intervals

Basal area and volume estimates

III. Data transfer

Member States shall use forms 12 to 16 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the Commission of the information
for each plot

CHAPTER 5

COMMON METHODS FOR DEPOSITION MEASUREMENTS ON LEVEL II PLOTS

I.

General remarks

The measurements of deposition in accordance with Article 6(b) shall be carried out on at least 10 % of the Level II plots.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of Expert Panel on Deposition of the UNECE Interna-
tional Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests).

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II. Monitoring methodology

Each deposition plot shall be described in detail. Some of the information is already included in the descriptions of the
forest monitoring plots (longitude, latitude, altitude, exposure, tree species, etc.). Other information needs to be docu-
mented with special consideration to the deposition situation (exposition to local emission sources and local land use,
location in relation to forest edges etc.). For interpretation and understanding of the deposition processes, information on
factors such as canopy roughness, leaf area index, etc. is valuable.

II.1. Monitoring throughfall

Deposition monitoring shall be site specific. Measurements shall be made in such a way that they are spatially well distrib-
uted over the country, if necessary on all Level II plots. Throughfall deposition measurements shall be made on the plot
itself. If this is not possible, the measurements shall be made close to the plot and in the same stand. The measurements
shall in no way interfere with other measurements of soil and vegetation. Caution shall be taken not to cause any damage
to the forest plot.

II.2. Monitoring in an open area in the forest

At a location near the actual plot (within a distance of 2 km), wet-only and/or bulk deposition collectors shall be installed.
The location shall be selected in such a way that the surrounding objects are not closer than two times their height.

II.3. Monitoring air pollution

Air pollution measurements shall be site specific, but could for practical reasons, or for reasons of co-ordination with
other projects, be made at some distance. The measurement site shall not be influenced by local emission sources.

II.4. Measurement period

The measuring will be made 4-weekly, weekly or at a time interval between the two depending mainly on the general
weather conditions at the specific plot.

When it is necessary to use different measuring periods during the year (e. g. weekly in summer and monthly in winter),
two separate monitoring periods shall be identified and the results shall be reported separately. Within one monitoring
period the length of the measuring period shall be constant. The same measuring period shall be used for the monitoring
under the forest canopy and the open area monitoring.

II.5. Sampling, sample handling

Clean collection gauges and containers shall be used for the collection of samples. Deionized water shall be used to rinse
the equipment. It is important that the containers are kept away from light and kept cool during the sampling and trans-
port. In sunny and warm conditions preservatives may be added to prevent the growth of algae. In this case only such
preservatives should be used that do not interfere with the analysis of any ion of interest.

II.6. Pre-treatment of samples, transport and storage

The volume of each collected sample from each individual throughfall, stemflow or open air collector shall be determined.
The samples may be analysed separately or pooled with samples collected from the same plot in the same time interval.
Throughfall, stemflow or open air samples shall be analysed separately. Samples from stemflow measurements can only
be pooled for trees of the same species and similar size and dominance.

Samples from short periods may be analysed as they are, or can be mixed to monthly samples before analysis. If samples
are mixed they should be mixed in proportion to the total sample volume.

The samples shall be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible (preferably in cold boxes) and kept in a cold (4 °C)
and dark store until analysed.

II.7. General information

The following information shall be collected:

— plot number,

— sampler code,

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— first date of monitoring period,

— last date of monitoring period,

— number of (equal) measuring periods in monitoring period.

Additional optional information may be collected, where it is useful for the interpretation of the results, such as canopy
roughness, leaf area index etc.

II.8. Chemical analysis

Mandatory and optional parameters to be analysed on bulk deposition, throughfall, stemflow and fog samples are pro-
vided for in the following table:

Sample type

Mandatory

Optional

Bulk deposition, throughfall, stemflow Amount of precipitation

pH and conductivity at 25 °C

Na, K, Mg, Ca, NH4

Cl, NO3 SO4

Total alkalinity

Al, Mn, Fe, and other heavy metals, e.g.
Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, Cd, Co, Mo

P total, PO4

Mandatory for individual samples if
pH > 5

DOC, Ntotal

S total, HCO3

(N total is not mandatory for bulk
deposition, but
is highly recom-
mended)

HCO3 can either be obtained by calcula-
tion (from pH, total alkalinity, tempera-
ture and ionic strength) or by direct
measurement

Fog,
frozen fog
(rime)

DOC = dissolved organic carbon, and N total = total nitrogen.

III. Data transfer

pH, conductivity

Na, K, Mg, Ca, NH4

Cl, NO3, SO4, P total

Alkalinity

Al, Mn, Fe, and other heavy metals, e.g.
Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, Cd, Co, Mo

Member States shall use forms 17 to 19 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the Commission of the information
for each plot.

COMMON METHODS FOR MEASUREMENTS OF METEOROLOGY ON LEVEL II PLOTS

CHAPTER 6

I.

General remarks

The measurements of meteorology in accordance with Article 6(b) shall be carried out on at least 10 % of the observation
plots. The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of Expert Panel on Meteorology and Phenology
of the UNECE International Cooperative Programmed on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests
(ICP Forests).

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II.

Inventory methodology

II.1. Location of sampling equipment

To represent the specific climatic conditions of woodlands the measurements shall be carried out inside the forest area
concerned. In general the measurements (with the exception of soil temperatures, soil moisture and stand precipitation)
may be taken either above the forest stand canopy at the plot or at an open field station within the forest area in close
proximity (in general not more than 2 km distance) to the stand of the plot. The distance from the measuring point at
open field stations to the surrounding stands or other obstacles shall be at least two times the height of a mature tree
obstacle. Soil temperature, soil moisture and stand precipitation shall be measured inside the stand of the permanent obser-
vation plot.

Whenever possible a combination with the equipment for deposition shall be made. To avoid disturbances to the roots
and soil situation, the equipment shall be placed so that it can be reached and maintained without actually passing through
the plot.

II.2. Methods to measure the actual meteorological situation in or close to the plot

By installation of a meteorological station in an open area close to the plot or the installation of a tower in the stand near
the plot, the weather situation shall be monitored continuously. The technical equipment, sensors and their placement are
to be in accordance with the international meteorological standards. The following variables are to be obtained.

Mandatory

Optional

Precipitation

Air temperature

Air humidity

Wind speed

Wind direction

Solar radiation

UVB radiation

Soil temperatures

Soil moisture

(matric potential, water content)

Stand precipitation (quantity of through fall and stem flow)

II.3. Collection, aggregation, storage and submission of information

Data shall be aggregated to daily values (sum or average/mean, minimum and maximum respectively) before submission.

The following plot information shall be collected and submitted:

— country,

— plot number,

— exact details of the used equipment,

— location of the plots (longitude, latitude, altitude) and of equipment (relative to the plot),

— start and end dates of the measurements,

— Frequency (number of periods).

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LIST OF PARAMETERS

Mean

Sum

(*)

Minimum

Maximum

Remarks

Total precipitation

(Including snow, etc.)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

Prevailing wind direction

Parameter

Precipitation

Air temperature

Relative humidity

Wind speed

Wind direction

Solar radiation

UVB radiation

Soil temperature

Soil moisture:

Matric potential in soil

Units

(mm)

(°C)

(%)

(m/s)

(°)

(W/m2)

(W/m2)

(°C)

(hPa)

Soil moisture:

(Vol %)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(mm)

(*)

Water content in soil

Stand
precipitation
(through fall and stem
flow)

Others

(*) = To be submitted.

III. Data transfer

To be specified in the
data
accompanying
Report

Member States shall use the formats established by forms 20 to 23 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the
Commission of the information for each plot.

CHAPTER 7

COMMON METHODS FOR SOIL SOLUTION MONITORING ON LEVEL II PLOTS

I.

General remarks

Monitoring of soil solution in accordance with Article 6(b) shall be carried out on at least 10 % of Level II plots.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of the Soil Expert Panel of the UNECE International
Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests).

II.

Inventory methodology

II.1. Selection of sampler location

Soil solution samplers shall be installed close to where crown condition assessment is conducted. Lysimeters may be dis-
tributed randomly or systematically over the whole plot although this may be limited by the presence of stones or stems
(distance from a tree is not specified). Because of disturbances to the soil, zero-tension lysimeters shall not be installed in
the central part of the plot where tree parameters are monitored. For practical reasons, a representative subplot can be
used. Lysimeters that have already been installed may be maintained, but new installations shall be made as proposed
above.

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II.2. Sampling depths

Lysimeters shall be installed at fixed depths but installation by horizons is also acceptable.

— Soil solution collectors

Where appropriate lysimeters shall be placed at least two depths, i.e. one within the rooting zone (suggested depth is 10
to 20 cm) to gain insight into concentrations of nutrients and toxic elements near the fine roots (aim 1) and one below
the rooting zone (suggested depth is 40- 80 cm), to estimate the element output (aim 2). A third lysimeter may also be
placed immediately below the humus layer.

II.3. Sampling frequency

On plots where other intensive monitoring programmes are carried out, e.g. deposition and meteorological measure-
ments, the sampling of the soil solution shall be done monthly or bi-weekly. Sampling shall be done at the same month of
the year.

II.4. Transport, storage and preparation

The samples shall be transported and stored in such a way that chemical changes are minimized.

Cool (4 °C) and dark storage of the soil solution within the lysimeter system will diminish biological activity. In many
cases, and especially during colder season, keeping the bottle dark is sufficient. Organic or inorganic preservatives may be
used, but they may interfere with the analysis. To diminish possible changes in the samples, the soil solution should be
collected as soon as possible after the suction has been applied.

Transport and storage procedures (including waiting periods) shall be reported. Where applicable the problems and devia-
tions of these procedures shall be reported in detail.

For determination of trace metals, aliquots of the sample shall be transported to the laboratory in acid washed bottles.

If soil samples are collected, they shall be kept cool in plastic or polyethylene bags and stored at 4 °C until centrifugation
or the preparation of the saturation extract. Centrifugation or extraction shall take place within one day (18 - 30 hours)
after collection of the soil samples.

II.5. General background information

The following information shall be collected:

— country,

— plot number,

— information on sampler (type, depth),

— first date of monitoring period,

— last date of monitoring period,

— number of (equal) measuring periods in monitoring period.

II.6. Analysis methods

The inventory of the forest soil solution monitoring distinguishes between mandatory and optional parameters (See list
below).

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LIST OF PARAMETERS

Parameter

Unit

Mandatory/Optional

Conductivity

pH

Alkalinity

DOC

Sodium (Na)

Potassium (K)

Calcium (Ca)

Magnesium (Mg)

Aluminium (total)

Aluminium (labile)

Iron (Fe)

Manganese (Mn)

Total Phosphorus (P)

NO3-N

SO4-S

NH4-N

Chlorine (Cl)

Chromium (Cr)

Nickel (Ni)

Zinc (Zn)

Copper (Cu)

Lead (Pb)

Cadmium (Cd)

Silicon (Si)

μS/cm

μmolc/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

mg/l

μg/l

μg/l

μg/l

μg/l

μg/l

μg/l

mg/l

Opt.

Man

Opt (if pH > 5)

Man

Opt (1)

Man

Man

Man

Man (if pH< 5)

Opt

Opt

Opt.

Opt

Man

Man

Opt (2)

Opt (1)

Opt

Opt

Opt (3)

Opt (3)

Opt

Opt

Opt

Man. = Mandatory Opt. = Optional
(1) Measurement is advisable when acid base budgets are calculated.
(2) Measurement of NH4 is advised in areas with high NHx deposition (above 20 kg NHx per ha per year).
(3) Advised since these are minor nutrients. Member States are free to analyse more, all, or part of the optional parameters.

III. Data transfer

Member States shall use the formats established by forms 24, 25 and 26 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the
Commission of information for each plot.

COMMON METHODS FOR GROUND VEGETATION ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

CHAPTER 8

I.

General remarks

The inventory of ground vegetation in accordance with Article 6(b) shall be carried out on at least 10 % of the Level II
plots.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of Expert Panel on Ground Vegetation condition of the
UNECE International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP
Forests).

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II.

Inventory methodology

II.1. Sampling design

Two different sampling designs may be used, which either lead to a more qualitative or to a more quantitative
characterization:

— in the first case, the dynamics are assessed by monitoring changes in the species composition over a large area,
utilizing sampling units greater than 100 m2, with a low to medium accuracy in estimates of changes in cover for
each of these species,

— in the second case, the study concentrates on population dynamics (expansion or regression) on a smaller area.
Small sampling units (in general fewer than 10 m2) are used for a more accurate estimation of species cover.

The area selected for vegetation assessment shall be representative for the plot, in order to allow the comparison with
other parameters recorded on the same plot. Several sampling units shall be used in order to obtain statistical replication.

According to phytosociological usage, the minimal requirement is to map the species at the plot level. In order to achieve
comparability of results between countries, a common sampling area (CSA) of 400 m2, representative for the ground veg-
etation of the Level II plot, is mandatory. This area can be reached as the sum of smaller sub-plots within the Level II plot
area. Data shall be submitted for the total CSA area, not per sub plot (aggregated data). Member States shall keep the
results of separate sub-plots in their national databases.

Countries are free to select the number and shape of the sampling units.

If sampling units are not contiguous, they shall be placed as far apart as possible within the Level II plot or in its buffer
zone in order to minimize spatial correlation between the sampling units within a plot. They shall also exclude major
heterogeneities at any scale of sampling (boulders and cliffs, tracks and paths, fire places, streams and ponds, ditches
and channels, peaty pools).

A permanent marking system has to be installed for the sampling units.

II.2. General information

The following general information shall be collected:

— country

— plot number

— date of sampling and analysis

— fencing

— total area sampled

— information on the total ground vegetation layer (cover), the shrub and herbs layer (cover and average height) and

the moss layer (cover).

II.3. Measurement of species abundance or cover

Member States are free to apply in the assessment their own scaling system as long as it can be directly converted into
percentage cover ranking from 0,01 % (very rare) to 100 % (complete cover).

II.4. Species

All phanerogams, vascular cryptogams, terricolous bryophytes and lichens shall be taken into account. The list of species
shall be complete for these groups. Non-terricolous species and fungi can be noted additionally, but should ideally be the
subject of separate surveys. Unidentified species should be noted as such, and, if not rare within the sampling units, should
be sampled and stored in a herbarium for subsequent identification.

Species only encountered in special places (e.g. rocks, tree stumps, tracks and paths, dead wood, etc.) should be noted
separately.

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II.5. Frequency and assessment time

Every five years, vegetation studies shall be undertaken on at least 10 % of the plots. In the case of a seasonally complex
vegetation composition, a second assessment during the year may be needed to assess the full vegetation cover. The sub-
sequent ground vegetation assessments shall be carried out around the same date of the year.

II.6. Analysis

The assessed information on sampling units shall be aggregated to plot level.

III. Data transfer

Member States shall use the formats established by forms 27 and 28 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the
Commission of the results of the ground vegetation assessment.

CHAPTER 9

COMMON METHODS FOR LITTERFALL ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

I.

General remarks

Monitoring of litterfall in accordance with Article 6(c) shall be carried out on optional basis on Level II plots from the year
2005 onwards. Where litterfall monitoring is carried out the following provisions shall be applicable.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of the ad hoc Working group on Litterfall of the UNECE
International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests).

II.

Inventory methodology

II.1. Sampling

For all aims of litterfall assessment it is suggested that the sampling design of plots represents a wide range of soils, cli-
mates and stand structure of a given species.

Litterfall assessment shall be carried only on Level II monitoring plots where intensive monitoring of meteorology, depo-
sition, soil water, and phenology are also performed.

II.2. Siting and number of litterfall traps

Litterfall traps shall be set up in a design enabling comparisons with deposition and soil water results. The traps are fixed
and may be placed randomly or systematically e.g. at regular intervals and in a sufficient number to represent the whole
plot and not only the dominant tree species

Litterfall traps should be distributed all over the plot area. Litterfall shall be sampled from at least 10 collectors per plot
and even up to 20 collectors depending on plot size and tree species involved in the assessment.

The countries are free to select the type of traps for the monitoring of litterfall.

II.3. Frequency of sampling

Litterfall shall be collected at least monthly and even bi-weekly in periods of heavy litterfall. The samples may be pooled
to periodic samples for chemical analyses. In regions with snow and frost in wintertime and in remote areas it may be
necessary to let the traps stay over winter in the forest. Litterfall may then be collected once before the winter period and
once after snowmelt, as frost limits drainage and litter decomposition.

II.4. Parameters and analysis

Litterfall assessment distinguishes between mandatory and optional parameters (See list below).

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LIST OF PARAMETERS

Mandatory

Optional

Ca, K, Mg, C, N, P, S

Na, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Al, B

For chemical analysis the litterfall samples are dried to constant weight in an oven at maximum 80 °C, preferably at 65 °C.
After this drying, the mass of 100 leaves or 1 000 needles is determined at 105 °C. Knowing the percentage of moisture
in the sub samples, the whole amount of each fraction can be converted to dried mass at 80 °C. The samples dried at max
80 °C are grounded to a homogeneous powder. The chemical analysis of litter is similar to the foliar chemical analysis.
The results of litterfall chemical analysis are reported to 80 °C just like the litterfall mass.

III. Data transfer

Member States shall use the formats established by forms 29, 30 and 31 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the
Commission of the information for each plot

CHAPTER 10

COMMON METHODS FOR AMBIENT AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

I.

General remarks

Assessment of ambient air quality is to be carried out on an optional basis on Level II plots. Where ambient air quality is
assessed the following provisions shall be applicable.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of the Working Group on Ambient Air Quality of the
UN/ECE International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP
Forests).

II. Choice of method and Equipment

Passive sampling shall be applied on sites that do not currently monitor main air pollutants using active samplers.

Individual countries are free to select the type of passive sampling device that is used. However, it has to be shown that
both the samplers and procedure that are used, comply with measurements made using a reference method (active sampler).

III. Measurement period

Sampling shall preferably be carried out at least on a 2-weekly basis. At remote sites, the measurement period can be
extended to four weeks if necessary, and at highly polluted sites, shortened to one week. Measurements of ozone shall be
limited to the leafed period for deciduous species, but shall be continued for the rest of the year for other pollutants.

IV. Selection of plots and location

Ambient air quality monitoring shall be site specific and shall be carried out on plots where meteorology and deposition
data are available. Sites with variable exposure should be chosen i.e. sites where high exposure is expected in addition to a
few background stations.

Air pollution concentrations shall be measured near, but outside the forest, in a place representative of the plot. Monitor-
ing can be carried out in an open field, preferably where the samplers for wet deposition and the meteorological equip-
ment are installed.

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V.

Parameters

The following parameters are part of the optional ambient air quality monitoring.

Compounds

Parameters

Comment

Gaseous compounds

O3, SO2, NO2, NO, HNO3,
HNO2, NH3, VOC

Particulate compounds

SO4

2-, NO3-, NH4+, base cations

With regard to direct effect on vegetation, ozone is
in most areas in Europe the most important pollut-
ant.

For calculating the dry deposition of particulate com-
pounds, measurements should preferably be made
with consideration to particle size distribution.

mean concentration

max (*). concentration

AOT 40 (*)

(*) Only when active sampling.

VI. Data transfer

O3

X

X

X

NH3

X

X

NO2

X

X

SO2

X

X

Member States shall use formats established by forms 32, 33 and 34 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the
Commission of the information for each plot.

COMMON METHODS FOR VISIBLE OZONE INJURY ASSESSMENT ON LEVEL II PLOTS

CHAPTER 11

I.

General remarks

Assessment of ozone injury in accordance with Article 6(c) shall be carried out on an optional basis on Level II plots.
Where ozone injury is assessed the following provisions shall be applicable.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of the Working Group on Ambient Air Quality of the
UNECE International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP For-
ests). [Reference is made to the sub-manual prepared by this Working Group where additional information is made
available.]

II.

Scope

The assessment of the symptoms of visible ozone injury shall be conducted preferably on the plots where the passive
ozone sampling is carried out.

III.

Assessment and Evaluation

III.1. Assessment within the Level II plots

The assessment for visible ozone injury on main tree species within the Intensive Monitoring Plot (IMP) shall be conducted
at least on the branches from the same 5 individual trees where foliar sampling for chemical analysis is carried out.

The samples for foliar injury should be collected every second year from the upper sun exposed crown.

An annual assessment is preferred but optional.

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III.2. Assessment within the Light Exposed Sampling Site (LESS)

A Light Exposed Sampling Site (hereinafter referred to as LESS) shall be established within the vicinity of the location
where the ozone passive sampler is installed. The aim of the assessment within the LESS is to provide estimates of ozone
foliar injury on the vegetation at the light exposed forest edge closest to the ozone measurement device within a maxi-
mum radius of 500 m. The suggested sampling scheme is a random sampling design as described in Appendix I of the
sub-manual prepared by the Working Group where additional information is made available.

The assessment is done on trees, shrubs, vines and perennial herbs (annual herbs are optional);

Only monocots are excluded from the assessment.

III.3. Evaluation period

Identification and quantification of visible ozone injury within Level II plot shall be carried out during: for conifers between
October and February, and for broadleaves between July and beginning of September.

In general, identification of visible ozone injury on trees, shrubs and herbs within the LESS and for the ground vegetation
within the IMP (optional) shall be carried out at least once during late summer (and in early summer if feasible) before
natural leaf discoloration sets in and senescence and/or drought leads to leaf loss.

III.4. Evaluation for the main broadleaf tree species

For the main tree species, five branches (as small as possible, but with all leaf age stages present) from each tree shall be
pruned from the sun exposed portion of the upper third of the crown, simultaneously with the biannual foliar sampling
for the chemical analysis of needles and leaves or according to the local symptoms phenology if possible. Once collected,
a representative number of leaves per branch (i.e. approximately 30 leaves in the case of Fagus sylvatica) shall be exam-
ined under best light conditions and scored for occurrence of ozone-injury (yes/no).

Score

0

1

2

3

Percentage, definition

No injury, none of the leaves injured.

1 %-5 % of the leaves show ozone symptoms

6 %-50 % of the leaves show ozone symptoms

51 %-100 % of leaves show ozone symptoms

III.5. Evaluation for the conifer main tree species

Following the leaf-sampling procedure, from each tree several branches (5 branches as small as possible but having at least
the current year’s needles (C-needles) and previous year’s needles (C+1-needles)) shall be pruned from the sun-exposed
portion of the upper part of the crown. If this part of the tree is not accessible, use part of the branches collected for foliar
analysis.

The chlorotic mottling will be scored for each needle age class (from current year’s (C) to 3-year old (C+2) needles) in
percentage of total surface affected by locating all needles of one age class forming a surface, and then the corresponding
score (classes) for that percentage will be assigned, according to the following table.

Score

0

1

2

3

No injury present.

1-5 % of the surface is affected

6- 50 % of the surface is affected

51 – 100 % of the surface is affected.

Definition

The scores shall be produced per needle class; thus trees (and species) will have separate scores for the needles of age-
classes C, C+1, C+2, etc. The final score of an individual tree shall be the score corresponding to the average injury per-
centage of a given needle year-class for that tree (this is obtained by averaging the injury percentages of all individual
needle-whorls of a given age-class on that tree); similarly, the final score for the plot shall be the score corresponding to
the average of the injury percentages of all sampled trees.

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III.6.

Identification of visible ozone on (small) tree, shrub, and perennial species within the LESS and (optional) the ground vegeta-
tion within the Level II plot

For the symptom assessment of small tree, shrub, and herbs species within the LESS and the ground vegetation (optional)
within the Level II plot the following information is required for each of the randomly selected sampling spatial unit:

— The scientific name and code of the present (small) tree, shrub, and herbs species with the indication whether they

show symptoms or not.

— Trees and shrubs shall be assessed singularly, vines and herbs as populations;

— Estimates are therefore resulting in terms of frequency, means and totals:

— frequency of quadrates including symptomatic plants (% of forest edge vegetation area affected),

— frequency of symptomatic species (% of symptomatic species over the total number of species of the forest

edge),

— mean number of symptomatic species,

— total number of symptomatic species,

— estimates should be reported with confidence intervals at a 95 % probability level.

Soil moisture conditions shall be recorded within the LESS and the optional subplots. Samples and pictures of each injured
are to taken of species in accordance with the technical recommendations of the Working Group on Ambient Air Quality.

IV.

Data transfer

Member States shall use forms 35, 36 and 37 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the Commission of the infor-
mation for each plot.

CHAPTER 12

COMMON METHODS FOR PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON LEVEL II PLOTS

I.

General remarks

Assessment of phenology in accordance with Article 6(c) shall be carried out on an optional basis on Level II plots. Where
phenology is assessed the following provisions shall apply.

The following provisions are based on technical recommendations of Expert Panel on Meteorology and Phenology of the
UNECE International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP For-
ests). [Reference is made to the sub-manual prepared by this Expert Panel where additional information is made available.]

II.

Scope

A cursory examination on the plot and the buffer zone shall only be performed on those Level II plots where meteoro-
logical observations, deposition and litterfall measurement are being carried out.

III.

Observation and recording at the plot level

Further background information on ecological processes on the plot, as well as an early warning system on events affect-
ing the condition of the trees, could be obtained by recording the most obvious effects of biotic and abiotic (damaging)
events and phenological phenomena. This is of special interest for the evaluation of Level II data at the national level.

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The observations and recordings should be easy and simple, and limited to:

— Occurrence of flushing, color change and leaf/needle fall

— Biotic damage (pests and/or diseases)

— Abiotic damage (e.g. frost, wind, hail).

III.1. Location

The observations should be made on the plot and/or the buffer zone of all those Level II plots where continuous measure-
ments are carried out.

III.2.

Frequency

Observation dates may coincide with the collection of deposition samples or soil solution. A frequency of at least once
every second week during the growing period is needed to follow the phenological changes.

III.3. Observation and recording

All species on the intensive monitoring plots are of interest; however priority should be given to the main tree species on
the plot. Member States are free to include more species. In this case, however, each species should be recorded separately.
Only events that have occurred and/or have changed their frequency/intensity since the last visit should be recorded. As
the individual phases of phenological phenomena occur, assessments shall be repeated until the phase is completed.

IV.

Intensive phenological monitoring at the individual tree level

The phases to be monitored (whenever applicable on the species) are: leaf/needle appearance, appearance of Lammas
shoots, secondary flushing, flowering, autumn coloring, leaf/needle death and leaf/needle fall.

IV.1. Selection of species and plots

Priority should be given to:

— those plots where (at least) meteorological measurements are carried out,

— the most important species on the plot, which is already reported as the main species (other species on the same

plot may be added).

IV.2. Criteria for the selection of sample trees

Criteria for selecting trees are:

Trees should be selected from those on which crown condition assessments are carried out. Preference should be given to
trees that are clearly visible when standing outside the plot, because the high frequency of the observation may affect the
condition of the ground vegetation on the plot.

If there is an insufficient number of crown condition trees visible, it will be necessary to select additional trees from the
plot or from the buffer zone. In this case:

— trees should be dominant or co-dominant,

— trees on which periodical measurement of DBH and height is (planned to be) made should be preferred,

— trees selected for leaf/needle sampling and analysis are not to be included.

Between 10 and 20 trees per species on a plot are selected for the sampling. All trees should be numbered. If they already
have numbers (e.g. for crown condition or increment assessment) these numbers shall be kept and used.

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If a selected tree dies or is removed it can be replaced. The newly selected tree should be given a new number and it shall
be registered and reported to the Commission.

IV.3. Crown to be assessed

Preferably the top of the crown (light crown) should be visible from one observation point. If this is not possible, then the
middle part of the crown is also acceptable. The same part of the crown should be considered for subsequent phenological
observations throughout the whole year, as well as for subsequent years.

IV.4. Direction of assessment

The direction from which the observations on individual trees are made should be the same every time. It should be
recorded using an eight-class system at the time the trees are selected and reported on form 12a. Any change in this
position should be recorded and reported as well.

IV.5. Frequency of observations

During the periods from the beginning to the end of the phenological phases in question, weekly observations shall be
made on the same day of the week.

IV.6. Phases to be monitored

In principle, all phenological phases are of interest for phenological monitoring. However, from the practical point of
view (e.g. financial input, ease and reliability of the monitoring, European-wide comparability, compatibility with other
surveys like Crown Condition) it is necessary to concentrate on a limited set of phases and on the major species or groups
of species.

A distinction is made between conifers and broad-leaved species:

Conifers

Broad-leaved species

Needle appearance

Lammas shoots

Flowering

Leaf unfolding

Secondary flushing

Flowering

Autumn coloring

Leaf death and leaf fall

For the flowering phase, only the beginning of opening of the male flowers (characterised by pollen shed) is to be recorded,
whereas the other phases are to be recorded quantitatively. In addition, damage to needles, leaves or flowers caused by late
frost in spring should also be recorded, as well as its intensity. The definitions and determinations of the individual phases
are described hereafter.

V.

Additional monitoring techniques

Additional techniques (such as litterfall collection or girth band measurements) can provide supporting and supplemen-
tary information.

Litterfall sampling provides quantitative data, e.g. about flowering, seed production, leaf/needle shedding etc.

Girth bands: Continuous measurement of changes in girth can provide information on the onset and cessation of growth
and on the response of trees to stress phenomena.

Throughfall chemistry can provide additional information on the occurrence of phenological phases through changes in
nutrient fluxes.

VI.

Data transfer

Member States shall use forms 38, 39 and 40 set out in Chapter 14 for the transmission to the Commission of informa-
tion for each plot.

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DETAILS FOR THE SUBMISSION OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE MONITORING METHODS
APPLIED AND THE RESULTS OF EVALUATION/INTERPRETATION OBTAINED ON NATIONAL LEVEL

CHAPTER 13

I.

General remarks

In addition to the submission of data in accordance with Article 15(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003, Member States
shall prepare and submit to the Commission a document with the background information on the monitoring methods
applied on Level I and Level II plots (Data Accompanying Report, DAR).

The DAR consists of two parts: the part describing the actually applied methods of the sampling layout, the equipment
used, the assessment, the analysis, etc. (for details see paragraph II.1) and the part on exceptions and disturbances encoun-
tered (for details see paragraph II.2).

II.

Data Accompanying Report

II.1. Part of the DAR describing the methods actually applied, etc.

This part of the DAR describes the sampling layout methods actually applied, the equipment used, the assessment, the
analysis, etc. The following details are given:

Inventory/Sampling methods

In many surveys of the Forest Focus scheme there is considerable freedom given to the selection of equipment, sampling
depths, timing, intensity of the survey, etc. The details of the equipment actually applied the actual depth, timing and
frequency of the survey/sampling shall be stated. Whenever samples have been taken, details on this sampling including
the storage and transport shall be stated.

Any applied control measurements shall be described in short.

Methods for analysis and calculation of results

With regard to the analysis of samples, details of the preparation of the samples and methods applied in the analysis shall
be given. Exact details on the used methods shall be given including possibilities for (re-) calculation of the obtained data.
Any applied control measurements (participation in ring tests, etc.) shall be described in short.

The information submitted with the help of the DAR questionnaires will remain valid over the years until the applied
methods are changed.

Special attention shall be given to observe and document changes in the applied methods of the inventory, transport and
analysis. Regional differences shall be stated and explained in full detail (e.g. different laboratories used for analysis).

II.2. Part of the DAR dealing with exceptions and disturbances encountered (annual DAR)

In addition to the general information on the methods described by using the DAR questionnaire, the specific problems,
exceptions, disturbances and validation problems of the data submitted each year, are to be described.

Exceptions and disturbances

Exceptional situations and important disturbances from the routine shall be reported. Besides the description of the applied
methods for the sampling, analysis, etc., as presented in the DAR questionnaires, good documentation of the exceptions,
exceptional situations and disturbances is needed. This will be documented in an annual DAR report and submitted to the
Commission together with the submitted data.

Data validation, data management and data quality

The procedures applied for data checks shall be given, including limits of data rejection (plausibility checks) as well as the
procedures that have been applied to check the consistency of the national data sets.

When gaps exist in the data, estimates based on results from other sources can be made in certain cases. These estimated
data shall be indicated and the used assumptions shall be carefully documented.

Furthermore a description of the methods applied in view of the quality assurance and quality control has to be given.

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The Commission may request
DAR-Questionnaires.

further

information from Member States

if needed on the basis of annual

COMMON INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE REPORTING OF THE RESULTS AND THE DATA FORMATS

CHAPTER 14

I.

General technical information for the submission of data

I.1.

Hardware requirements

As medium for the data submission, the 3,5″ floppy disk (DSDD or HD) or CD-ROM has been selected. If the facilities for
electronic data transfer are available such means should be used by Member States from 2005 onwards.

I.2.

Software requirements, data format

The diskettes are to be formatted on the appropriate density (DSDD = low density and HD = high density), using DOS 2.1
or higher, and shall be 100 % IBM compatible. All information on the diskette or CD-ROM shall be in ASCII characters
following the structure defined in tables as set-up under point V.

I.3.

Data files

Each diskette (or set of diskettes) shall contain the plot and data files; the file with the summarized information of the
plots (plot file), and file(s) with the inventoried results per survey (data files).

II.

Data validation and data management

The procedures applied for data quality control shall be given, including limits of data rejection (plausibility checks) as
well as the procedures that have been applied to check the consistency of the national data sets.

When gaps exist in the data, estimates based on results from other sources can be made in certain cases. These estimated
data shall be indicated and the used assumptions shall be carefully documented.

III.

Annual report on progress made in the interpretation/evaluation of results on national level

This report provides information on progress made in the interpretation/evaluation of results on national level. For the
interpretation/evaluation of results on national level the following details are given:

Member States shall execute an evaluation and interpretation of the monitoring data on national level.

Member States are free to decide which evaluation and interpretation is carried out on national level and reported to the
Commission.

IV.

Timing for the submission of the DAR and the report on progress made in the interpretation/evaluation of
results on national level

IV.1. Timing for the DAR

The DAR questionnaire shall be completed and submitted to the Commission with the first data submission. If the meth-
ods are changed the information on the changes shall be submitted. The part of the DAR dealing with descriptions of
noted disturbances and exceptions shall be submitted to the Commission together with the annually submitted data.

IV.2. Timing for the report on progress made in the interpretation/evaluation of results on national level

Progress reports on evaluations and interpretations carried out on national level shall be forwarded to the Commission
before 31 December each year.

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V.

Submission of data in a digital format - forms

Assessment/Information
content

Installation

Installation

Crown

Crown

Crown

Crown

Crown

Crown

Foliar

Foliar

Foliar

Increment

Increment

Increment

Increment

Increment

Deposition

Deposition

Deposition

Meteorology

Meteorology

Meteorology

Meteorology

Soil solution

Soil solution

Soil solution

Ground vegetation

Ground vegetation

Litterfall

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Form No/Name

Network

XXGENER. PLT: Information on plot level

Other observations on the plots of the intensive monitoring of the forest
ecosystems

XX1993.PLO: Information on plot level

XX1993.TRE NEW: Information on tree level

Contents of file with information on plot level to be used in combination
with the tree vitality inventory on Level I

XX1996.PLT (TCP): Contents of file with the information on Plot level to be
used with the crown assessment

XX1996.TRM (TC1): Contents of file with the information on Tree level
(Mandatory) to be used with the tree condition assessment

XX2004.TRO: Contents of file with the information on Tree level (Optional)
to be used with the tree condition assessment

XX1996.PLF: Contents of reduced plot file to be used in combination with
the survey of chemical content of needles and leaves

XX1996.FOM: Contents of file with foliar analysis information (mandatory)

XX1996.FOO: Contents of file with foliar analysis information (optional)

XX1993.PLI: Contents of reduced plot file to be used for increment

XX1996.IPM: Contents of file with increment information - periodic
measurements

XX1996.IRA: Contents of file of increment information - ring analysis and
stem disk analysis (optional)

XX1996.IEV: Contents of evaluated data on increment (optional)

XX2002.INV: Contents of reduced plot file to be used to report the plot
volumes

XX1996.PLD: Contents of reduced plot file to be used in combination with
the deposition measurements

XX1996.DEM: Contents of data file with deposition measurements
(mandatory)

XX1996.DEO: Contents of data file with deposition measurements
(optional)

XX1996.PLM: Contents of reduced plot file to be used in combination with
the meteorological measurements

XX1996.MEM: Contents of data file with meteorological measurements
(mandatory)

XX1996.MEO: Contents of data file with meteorological measurements
(optional)

XX1996.MEC: Contents of data file with climatic information (optional)

XX1996.PSS: Contents of reduced plot file to be used in combination with
the soil solution measurements

XX1996.SSM: Contents of data file with soil solution measurements
(mandatory)

XX1996.SSO: Contents of data file with soil solution measurements
(optional)

XX1997.PLV: Contents of reduced plot file to be used in combination with
the survey of ground vegetation

XX1996.VEM: Contents of data file with ground vegetation assessment

XX1996.LFP: Contents of reduced plot file to be used in combination with
the survey on litterfall

II

II

I

I

I

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

L 334/38

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Assessment/Information
content

Form No/Name

Network

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

XX2002.LFM: Contents of data file with litterfall analysis information
(mandatory)

XX2002.LFO: Contents of data file with litterfall analysis information
(optional)

XX2000.pac: Ambient air quality: Ozone

XX2000.pps: Ambient air quality: Ozone

XX2000.aqm: Ambient air quality: Ozone

XX2004.PLL: Ozone injury assessment

XX2004.LTF: Ozone injury assessment

XX2004.LSS: Ozone injury assessment

XX2004.PLP: Form for
phenological monitoring

registration of

trees

selected for

intensive

XX2004.PHE: Phenological phenomena and biotic and abiotic (damaging)
events (plot level - extensive)

XX2004.PHI: Recording of phenological phenomena and biotic and abiotic
(damaging) events (tree level - intensive)

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

Litterfall

Litterfall

Ozone

Ozone

Ozone

Ozone injury

Ozone injury

Ozone injury

Phenology

Phenology

Phenology

Forms:

[Forms are only available in Excel-format]

CODE LIST AND EXPLANATORY ITEMS FOR SURVEY DATA OF LEVEL I AND LEVEL II

CHAPTER 15

The following instructions and codes shall be used for the transmission of data collected on the Level I and Level II net-
works in the framework of Regulation (EC) N 2152/2003. Amendments for particular reporting years are provided in
Technical Specifications reports issued by DG JRC.

General information on plot

(1)

Country

01:

02:

France

Belgium

03: Netherlands

04: Germany

05:

Italy

06: United Kingdom

07:

Ireland

08: Denmark

09: Greece

10:

11:

12:

13:

Portugal

Spain

Luxembourg

Sweden

14: Austria

15:

50:

Finland

Switzerland

51: Hungary

52: Romania

53:

54:

Poland

Slovak Republic

55: Norway

56:

Lithuania

57: Croatia

58: Czech Republic

59:

60:

Estonia

Slovenia

61: Republic of Moldova

62: Russia

63:

64:

Bulgaria

Latvia

66: Cyprus

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(2) Observation plot number

The observation plot number corresponds to a unique number given to the permanent plot during the selection
or installation.

(3) Date of observation, date of assessment, date of analysis

Dates shall be completed in the following order day, month and year:

Day

Month

Year

08

09

04

(4)

Latitude-/longitude coordinates

Fill in the full six figures latitude and longitude coordinates of the centre of the observation plot (e.g.):

+/−

Degrees

Minutes

Seconds

latitude

longitude

+

–

5

0

0

1

1

1

0

5

2

3

7

2

The first box is used to indicate a + or – coordinate

(5)

Availability of water to principal species (estimate)

1:

2:

3:

Insufficient

Sufficient

Excessive

(6) Humus type

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

7:

Mull

Moder

Mor

Anmor

Peat

Other

Raw (Roh)

(7)

Altitude

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

≤ 50 m

51—100 m

101—150 m

151—200 m

201—250 m

251—300 m

301—350 m

351—400 m

401—450 m

451—500 m

501—550 m

551—600 m

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

601—650 m

651—700 m

701—750 m

751—800 m

801—850 m

851—900 m

901—950 m

951—1 000 m

1 001—1 050 m

1 051—1 100 m

1 101—1 150 m

1 151—1 200 m

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25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

1 201—1 250 m

1 251—1 300 m

1 301—1 350 m

1 351—1 400 m

1 401—1 450 m

1 451—1 500 m

1 501—1 550 m

1 551—1 600 m

1 601—1 650 m

1 651—1 700 m

1 701—1 750 m

1 751—1 800 m

1 801—1 850 m

1 851—1 900 m

(8) Orientation

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

7:

8:

9:

N

NE

E

SE

S

SW

W

NW

flat

(9) Mean age of dominant storey (years)

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

7:

8:

≤ 20

21—40

41—60

61—80

81—100

101—120

> 120

Irregular stands

(10) Soil unit

Fluvisols

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

Eutric Fluvisols

Calcaric Fluvisols

Dystric Fluvisols

Mollic Fluvisols

Umbric Fluvisols

Thionic Fluvisols

Salic Fluvisols

Gleysols

108

109

110

Eutric Gleysols

Calcic Gleysols

Dystric Gleysols

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

1 901—1 950 m

1 951—2 000 m

2 001—2 050 m

2 051—2 100 m

2 101—2 150 m

2 151—2 200 m

2 201—2 250 m

2 251—2 300 m

2 301—2 350 m

2 351—2 400 m

2 401—2 450 m

2 451—2 500 m

>2 500 m

111

112

113

114

115

Andic Gleysols

Mollic Gleysols

Umbric Gleysols

Thionic Gleysols

Gelic Gleysols

Regosols

116

117

118

119

120

121

Eutric Regosols

Calcaric Regosols

Gypsic Regosols

Dystric Regosols

Umbric Regosols

Gelic Regosols

Leptosols

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

Eutric Leptosols

Dystric Leptosols

Rendzic Leptosols

Mollic Leptosols

Umbric Leptosols

Lithic Leptosols

Gelic Leptosols

Arenosols

129

130

131

Haplic Arenosols

Cambic Arenosols

Luvic Arenosols

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132

133

134

135

Ferralic Arenosols

Albic Arenosols

Calcaric Arenosols

Gleyic Arenosols

Andosols

136

137

138

139

140

141

Haplic Andosols

Mollic Andosols

Umbric Andosols

Vitric Andosols

Gleyic Andosols

Gelic Andosols

Vertisols

142

143

144

145

Eutric Vertisols

Dystric Vertisols

Calcic Vertisols

Gypsic Vertisols

Cambisols

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

154

Eutric Cambisols

Dystric Cambisols

Humic Cambisols

Calcaric Cambisols

Chromic Cambisols

Vertic Cambisols

Ferralic Cambisols

Gleyic Cambisols

Gelic Cambisols

Calcisols

155

156

157

Haplic Calcisols

Luvic Calcisols

Petric Calcisols

Gypsisols

158

159

160

161

Haplic Gypsisols

Calcic Gypsisols

Luvic Gypsisols

Petric Gypsisols

Solonchaks

Planosols

168

169

170

171

172

173

174

Haplic Solonchaks

Mollic Solonchaks

Calcic Solonchaks

Gypsic Solonchaks

Sodic Solonchaks

Gleyic Solonchaks

Gelic Solonchaks

Kastanozems

175

176

177

178

Haplic Kastanozems

Luvic Kastanozems

Calcic Kastanozems

Gypsic Kastanozems

Chernozems

179

180

181

182

183

Haplic Chernozems

Calcic Chernozems

Luvic Chernozems

Glossic Chernozems

Gleyic Chernozems

205

206

207

208

209

Eutric Planosols

Dystric Planosols

Mollic Planosols

Umbric Planosols

Gelic Planosols

Podzoluvisols

210

211

212

213

214

Eutric Podzoluvisols

Dystric Podzoluvisols

Stagnic Podzoluvisols

Gleyic Podzoluvisols

Gelic Podzoluvisols

Podzols

215

216

217

218

219

220

Haplic Podzols

Cambic Podzols

Ferric Podzols

Carbic Podzols

Gleyic Podzols

Gelic Podzols

Phaeozems

Acrisols

184

185

186

187

188

Haplic Phaeozems

Calcaric Phaeozems

Luvic Phaeozems

Stagnic Phaeozems

Gleyic Phaeozems

Greyzems

189

190

Haplic Greyzems

Gleyic Greyzems

Luvisols

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

198

Haplic Luvisols

Ferric Luvisols

Chromic Luvisols

Calcic Luvisols

Vertic Luvisols

Albic Luvisols

Stagnic Luvisols

Gleyic Luvisols

221

222

223

224

225

Haplic Acrisols

Ferric Acrisols

Humic Acrisols

Plinthic Acrisols

Gleyic Acrisols

Alisols

226

227

228

229

230

231

Nitisols

Haplic Alisols

Ferric Alisols

Humic Alisols

Plinthic Alisols

Stagnic Alisols

Gleyic Alisols

232

233

234

Haplic Nitisols

Rhodic Nitisols

Humic Nitisols

Solonetz

Lixisols

Ferralsols

162

163

164

165

166

167

Haplic Solonetz

Mollic Solonetz

Calcic Solonetz

Gypsic Solonetz

Stagnic Solonetz

Gleyic Solonetz

199

200

201

202

203

204

Haplic Lixisols

Ferric Lixisols

Plinthic Lixisols

Albic Lixisols

Stagnic Lixisols

Gleyic Lixisols

235

236

237

238

239

240

Haplic Ferralsols

Xanthic Ferralsols

Rhodic Ferralsols

Humic Ferralsols

Geric Ferralsols

Plinthic Ferralsols

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Plinthosols

Histosols

Anthrosols

241

242

243

244

Eutric Plinthosols

Dystric Plinthosols

Humic Plinthosols

Albic Plinthosols

245

246

247

248

249

Folic Histosols

Terric Histosols

Fibric Histosols

Thionic Histosols

Gelic Histosols

250

251

252

253

Aric Anthrosols

Fimic Anthrosols

Cumulic Anthrosols

Urbic Anthrosols

(11) Size of total plot, size of sub-plot

The size of the total plot, or sub-plot shall be stated in 0,0001 ha.

(12) Number of trees in total plot

The tree sample on both Levels includes all tree species, provided the trees have a minimum height of 60 cm.

(13) Yield estimates

The yield estimates consist of an absolute and a relative yield estimate.

The absolute estimate will be the estimated average yield over the total life period of the stand. The relative yield will
indicate whether the absolute yield estimate is considered to be low, normal or high for the stand. The following codes
will be used:

Absolute yield code

Relative yield code

0 = 0,0—2,5 m3 per hectare per year

1 = 2,5—7,5 m3 per hectare per year

2 = 7,5—12,5 m3 per hectare per year

3 = 12,5—17,5 m3 per hectare per year

4 = 17,5—22,5 m3 per hectare per year

5 = >22,5 m3 per hectare per year

1 = Low

2 = Normal

3 = High

(14) Other Observations

Relevant information concerning the plot shall be stated here.

General information on tree level

(15) Sample tree number

The tree number is the number which has been assigned to the tree during the installation of the plot.

(16) Species (Reference Flora Europaea)

Broadleaves (* = species to be used for the foliage inventory)

001:

Acer campestre *

007:

Alnus glutinosa *

002:

Acer monspessulanum *

003:

Acer opalus

004:

Acer platanoides

005:

Acer pseudoplatanus *

006:

Alnus cordata *

008:

Alnus incana

009:

Alnus viridis

010:

Betula pendula *

011:

Betula pubescens *

012:

Buxus sempervirens

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013:

014:

015:

016:

017:

018:

019:

020:

021:

022:

023:

024:

025:

026:

027:

028:

029:

030:

031:

032:

033:

034:

035:

036:

037:

038:

039:

040:

041:

042:

043:

044:

045:

046:

047:

048:

049:

050:

Carpinus betulus *

Carpinus orientalis

Castanea sativa (C. vesca) *

Corylus avellana *

Eucalyptus sp. *

Fagus moesiaca *

Fagus orientalis

Fagus sylvatica *

Fraxinus angustifolia
spp. oxycarpa (F. oxyphylla) *

Fraxinus excelsior *

Fraxius ornus *

Ilex aquifolium

Juglans nigra

Juglans regia

Malus domestica

Olea europaea *

Ostrya carpinifolia *

Platanus orientalis

Populus alba

Populus canescens

Populus hybrides *

Populus nigra *

Populus tremula *

Prunus avium *

Prunus dulcis (Amygdalus communis)

Prunus padus

Prunus serotina

Pyrus communis

Quercus cerris *

Quercus coccifera (Q. calliprinos) *

Quercus faginea *

Quercus frainetto (Q. conferta) *

Quercus fruticosa (Q. lusitanica)

Quercus ilex *

Quercus macrolepis (Q. aegilops)

Quercus petraea *

Quercus pubescens *

Quercus pyrenaica (Q. toza) *

Conifers (* = species to be used for the foliage inventory)

100:

101:

102:

103:

104:

105:

106:

107:

Abies alba *

Abies borisii-regis *

Abies cephalonica *

Abies grandis

Abies nordmanniana

Abies pinsapo

Abies procera

Cedrus atlantica

051:

052:

053:

054:

055:

056:

057:

058:

059:

060:

061:

062:

063:

064:

065:

066:

067:

068:

069:

070:

071:

072:

073:

074:

075:

076:

077:

078:

079:

080:

081:

082:

083:

084:

085:

086:

087:

099:

108:

109:

110:

111:

112:

113:

114:

115:

Quercus robur (Q. peduculata) *

Quercus rotundifolia *

Quercus rubra *

Quercus suber *

Quercus trojana

Robinia pseudoacacia *

Salix alba

Salix caprea

Salix cinerea

Salix eleagnos

Salix fragilis

Salix sp.

Sorbus aria

Sorbus aucuparia

Sorbus domestica

Sorbus torminalis

Tamarix africana

Tilia cordata

Tilia platyphyllos

Ulmus glabra (U. scabra, U. montana)

Ulmus laevis (U. effusa)

Ulmus minor (U. campestris, U. carpinifolia)

Arbutus unedo

Arbutus andrachne

Ceratonia siliqua

Cercis siliquastrum

Erica arborea

Erica scoparia

Erica manipuliflora

Laurus nobilis

Myrtus communis

Phillyrea latifolia

Phillyrea angustifolia

Pistacia lentiscus

Pistacia terebinthus

Rhamnus oleoides

Rhamnus alaternus

Other broadleaves

Cedrus deodara

Cupressus lusitanica

Cupressus sempervirens

Juniperus communis

Juniperus oxycedrus *

Juniperus phoenicea

Juniperus sabina

Juniperus thurifera *

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116:

117:

118:

119:

120:

121:

122:

123:

124:

125:

126:

127:

128:

Larix decidua *

Larix kaempferi (L. leptolepis)

Picea abies (P. excelsa) *

Picea omorika

Picea sitchensis *

Pinus brutia *

Pinus canariensis

Pinus cembra

Pinus contorta *

Pinus halepensis *

Pinus heldreichii

Pinus leucodermis

Pinus mugo (P. montana)

129:

130:

131:

132:

133:

134:

135:

136:

137:

138:

139:

199:

Pinus nigra *

Pinus pinaster *

Pinus pinea *

Pinus radiata (P. insignis) *

Pinus strobus

Pinus sylvestris *

Pinus uncinata *

Pseudotsuga menziesii *

Taxus baccata

Thuya sp.

Tsuga sp.

Other conifers

Information with regard to the crown condition survey and increment measurement

(17) Defoliation

Defoliation figure for each sample tree expressed as a percentage (in steps of 5 %) compared with a tree with complete
foliage. The actual percentage is used.

0

5

= 0 %

= 1-5 %

10 = 6-10 %

15 = 11-15 %

etc.

(18) Discoloration codes

0:

1:

2:

3:

4:

no discoloration (0-10 %)

slight discoloration (11-25 %)

moderate discoloration (26-60 %)

severe discoloration (>60 %)

dead

(19)

Identification of damage type

Where possible, further identification of the damage type should be added, e.g. for insects: the species or group (e.g. ‘bark
beetles’).

(20) Exposure

1:

2:

3:

No special exposure (plot located within a larger forest area with no or gentle relief)

Limited exposure (plots near forest edge, on slopes, etc.)

Severely exposed plots (on mountain tops, etc.)

(21) Removals and mortality

Code 0: tree alive and measurable (new, note this is different than a missing value)

01

02

03

tree alive, in current and previous inventory (formerly blank)

new alive tree

alive tree (present but not assessed in previous inventory)

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Code 1-: tree removed, disappeared

11

12

13

14

18

planned utilization (as in CC)

utilization for biotic reason (as in CC)

utilization for abiotic reason (as in CC)

cut, reason unknown

reason for disappearance unknown (as in CC)

Code 2-: tree still alive and standing, but no tree crown measurements taken or height measurements should not be used
in stand or growth calculations.

21

22

23

24

25

29

lop-sided or hanging tree (as in CC)

not applicable, use 24 or 25 instead

not applicable

breakage of the tip(s) of the tree (shoot)

tree not in height growth sample

other reasons, specify

Code 3-: Standing dead (at least 1,3 m in height)

31

32

33

34

38

tree with intact crown, biotic reason (as in CC)

tree with intact crown, abiotic reason (as in CC)

crown breakage

stem breakage, below crown base and above 1,3 m

tree with intact crown, unknown cause of death (as in CC)

Code 4-: fallen alive or dead, (height below 1,3 m or tree stem or crown touches the ground at one place)

41

42

48

abiotic reasons (as in CC)

biotic reasons (as in CC)

unknown cause (as in CC)

Notes:

— class 22 is only applicable in those countries that do not record trees with more than 50 % crown damage

— class 23 is only applicable in those countries that restrict sampling to Kraft classes 1, 2 and 3

(22) Social class

1

2

3

4

pre-dominant (including free standing trees) trees with upper crown standing above the general level of the canopy

dominant — trees with crowns forming the general level of the canopy

co-dominant — trees extending into the canopy and receiving some light from above but shorter than 1 or 2

suppressed — trees with crowns below the general level of the canopy, receiving no direct light from above

(23) Crown shading

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

crown significantly affected (shaded or physical interactions) on one side

crown significantly affected (shaded or physical interactions) on two sides

crown significantly affected (shaded or physical interactions) on three sides

crown significantly affected (shaded or physical interactions) on four sides

crown open-grown or with no evidence of shading effects

suppressed trees

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(24) Visibility

1:

2:

3:

4:

whole crown is visible

crown only partially visible

crown only visible with backlighting (i.e. in outline)

crown not visible

(25) Diameter at breast height (DBH)

The diameter at breast height (1,30 m) over bark in 0,1 centimetre.

When a diameter tape is used a single value will be needed. When calipers are used the maximum and the minimum
diameter (over bark) shall be determined and reported (diameter 1 and diameter 2).

(26) Bark

The thickness of the bark at 1,30 m, expressed in centimetres with one decimal.

(27) Height of the tree

The height of the tree expressed in meters and rounded off to the nearest 0,1 metre.

(28) Tree volume

Based on the measured diameter(s) and height, the tree volume can be estimated using locally known form factors or
through the use of valid volume tables. The tree volume shall be expressed in cubic meters (m3) with three decimals.

(29) Height up to crown

The height up to crown rounded off to the nearest 0,1 meter is determined up to the lowest live branch excluding water
shoots.

(30) Crown length

The length of the crown rounded off to the nearest 0,1 meter is determined from the tip of the stem to the lowest live
branch excluding water shoots.

(31) Crown width

The average crown width is determined by the average of at least four crown radii, multiplied by two, and rounded off to
the nearest 0,1 meter.

(32) Diameter under bark

The actual diameter under bark is calculated as the diameter over bark deducted with the width of the bark at the two
sides. The diameter under bark of five years ago is calculated as the actual diameter under bark less the increment of the
last five years of the tree at both sides. The diameter under bark is expressed in 0,1 centimetre.

(33) Basal area per plot

The actual basal area per plot is calculated as the total basal areas of all the trees in the plot. The basal area per plot of five
years ago is calculated on the basis of the estimated diameter under bark of five years ago of all the trees in the plot. Basal
area per plot is expressed in 0,1 m2.

(34) Volume per plot

The actual volume per plot is calculated as the total volume of all the trees in the plot. The volume per plot of five years
ago is calculated on the basis of the estimated diameter under bark of five years ago of all the trees in the plot. Volume per
plot is expressed in 0,1 m3.

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(35) Thinning

If a thinning has taken place in the five-year period between the two years of determination of diameter, basal area per
plot and volume per plot, this will be indicated (Yes = 1, No = 0). In an additional part the details of this thinning will be
described as detailed as possible (including: thinning method, exact year of thinning, thinning intensity expressed as num-
ber of trees, basal area/ha, volume/ha).

Information with regard to foliar chemistry measurements and litterfall assessment

(36) Sample code

The sample code for the foliage inventory consists of the tree species code (see explanation item 15) followed (after a dot)
by the code for leaves/needles of the current year (=0) or in the case of needles of the last year (current + 1 needles) use
the code (1), e.g. the sample of needles of last year of the Picea abies (118) is thus: 118.1

(37) Tree numbers of the sample

As in some samplings (foliage, increment) trees outside the normal plot (or sub-plot) have to be used, special numbers
have to be applied. The numbers of these trees will start with a letter (F = foliage, R = ring analysis by increment borings,
D = discs analysis) followed with a sequence number (e.g. F001). The numbers are to be reported.

(38) Mass of 100 leaves or 1 000 needles

The mass is determined of 100 leaves or 1 000 needles (oven-dry) in grams.

Information with regard to the deposition monitoring and meteorological monitoring

(39) Sampler code

The following codes shall be used for the samplers for deposition.

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

7:

9:

throughfall

bulk deposition

wet-only deposition

stemflow

fog

frozen fog (rime)

air concentration

others

Details on the equipment used shall be stated in an Annex to the document with the background information.

(40) Sample quantity

The total collected quantity of the sample(s) shall be divided by the catchment area(s) of the collector(s) and shall be
reported in millimeters.

(41) First and final dates of the monitoring period

The first and final dates of each monitoring period shall be stated on the forms, using the same format as the date of
observation, assessment and analysis.

A monitoring period shall consist of one or more measuring periods. The measuring periods within one monitoring period
should have the same length. The minimum length of a measuring period is one week, the maximum one month.

When it is necessary to use different measuring periods during the year (e.g. weekly in summer and monthly in winter),
two separate monitoring periods shall be identified and the results shall be reported separately on the forms.

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(42) Number of measuring periods

The number of measuring periods in each monitoring period shall be indicated in the forms.

(43) Measuring period

The measuring period number in which the sample has been collected shall be stated. Each year (on or around 1 January)
a new set of measuring periods will be started. When samples from several measuring periods are combined before analy-
sis, the exact details of the mixing shall be stated in the annex to the document with background information. The num-
ber of the first measuring period shall be used to indicate the period for analysis (e.g. when the samples from period 9, 10,
11 and 12 are combined into a single sample for the analysis, this sample will be given the period number 9).

Parameters to be assessed in the plot/instrument code

All instruments that are installed in or near the plot, are given an observation plot/instrument code. This code consists of
the plot number (up to four digits) and a sequential number for all instruments (up to 99). When instruments are replaced
or added, new codes are applied. (e.g. the fifth instrument in plot 1234 will thus receive code 1234.05).

(44) Location

The location of the instrument is indicated:

S:

F:

W:

O:

instrument is located on site, i.e. in (the buffer zone) of the plot. This could be under the canopy, above the canopy
or in the forest soil

instrument is located in a (nearby) open field in the forest area

instrument is located at a weather station (in general outside the forest area)

instrument is located elsewhere.

(45) Variable

Indication of the variable that is measured with the instrument

AT

PR

RH

WS

=

=

=

=

air temperature

precipitation

relative humidity

wind speed

WD =

wind direction

SR

UR

TF

SF

ST

=

=

=

=

=

solar radiation

UVb radiation

throughfall

stemflow

soil temperature

MP

= matric potential in the soil

WC =

water content in the soil

XX

=

other codes for additional parameters may be used, but should be specified in the DAR.

Instrument information

(46) Vertical position

The vertical position (height or depth) of the instruments shall be indicated in meters with a plus (= height above the
ground) or a minus sign (depth below the ground) using the format of a plus/minus two digits and one decimal (+/–99,9).

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(47)

Instrument code

The following codes shall be used for the samplers and recording method of data:

10: manual reading and recording on paper

20: mechanical recording (manual reading and recording on paper)

30:

40:

50:

direct paper recording

digital recording (in stand alone situation)

digital recording (integrated data logger)

Details of the equipment shall be given in the data accompanying report (DAR).

(48) Scanning interval (automatic instruments only)

The interval between two consecutive assessments shall be given stated in seconds.

(49) Storing interval (automatic instruments only)

The interval between two consecutive data storage moments shall be given in minutes

(50) Precipitation and throughfall

The precipitation shall be given as the daily sum, using the format of up to four digits and one decimal (9999,9)

(51) Temperature (air and soil)

The temperature shall be given in °C, using the format of a plus/minus and two digits plus one decimal (+/–99,9). The
daily mean, daily minimum and daily maximum are to be submitted.

(52) Relative Humidity

The relative humidity shall be given as the daily mean, the minimum and the maximum value reached per day, using the
format of three digits and one decimal (999,9).

(53) Wind speed

The wind speed shall be given as the daily mean and the maximum value reached per day, using the format of two digits
and one decimal (99,9).

(54) Wind direction

The wind direction shall be given as the prevailing wind per day. The wind rose shall be split into eight sections of 45°
starting form 22,5° onwards (NE (=45°), E (=90°), SE (=135°)… N (=0°). The most frequent wind direction is reported by
its middle value.

(55) Solar radiation and UVb radiation

The solar radiation and the UVb radiation shall be given as the daily mean value, using the format of up to four digits and
one decimal (9999,9).

(56) Stem flow

The stem flow shall be calculated to mm precipitation and shall be given as the daily sum, using the format of up to four
digits and one decimal (9999,9).

(57) Matric potential in the soil

The matric potential in the soil shall be given in hPa, as the daily mean, minimum and maximum value reached per day,
using the format of up to four digits and one decimal (9999,9).

(58) Water content in the soil

The water content in the soil shall be given in Volume % as the daily mean, the minimum and the maximum value reached
per day, using the format of up to two digits and one decimal (99,9).

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(59) Completeness

The completeness is an indicator of the coverage of the scanning and storing procedures and is given in percentages using
the format of up to three digits (l00 % = complete).

Information with regard to the soil solution monitoring

(60) Sampler number

The samplers in the plot shall be numbered in a permanent way (1 — 99)

(61) Sampler code

The following codes shall be used for the samplers for soil solution:

1: Tension lysimeter

2: Zero tension lysimeter

3: Centrifugation

4: Saturation extraction

(62) Sampling depth

The sampling depth in meters below the surface (e.g. – 0,40)

Information with regard to the ground vegetation assessment

(63) Plot/survey number

Each time (day), or situation (inside outside fence), that an assessment of the ground vegetation is made on a given plot, a
survey number is given. By combining the plot number with the survey number a unique plot/survey number is created.

(64) Fencing

As the vegetation can be very different inside and outside a fence, it was decided that in principle the ground vegetation is
always surveyed outside the fence. When a survey inside the fence is carried out this should be reported as a separate
survey and the fencing code indicated:

1

2

=

=

Yes, survey within the fence,

No, survey was outside fenced area.

(65) Total sampled area

The total sample area shall be given in m2 in up to four digits. In the data accompanying report (or DAR-Q) the exact
details of the number of repetitions, the location/orientation of the ground vegetation plots and the sizes) of these plots
shall be given.

(66) Height and cover of layers

The average height and estimated cover of the total ground vegetation layer, the shrub layer, the herb layer and the moss
layer shall be submitted as follows:

Total ground vegetation layer

Shrub layer

Herb layer

Moss layer

(*) = To be submitted.

Height (in m)

Cover (in %)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

The average height of the layers shall be given in meters in one digit and two decimals (9.99). The estimated cover shall be
given as a % of the total sampled area.

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(67) Layers

The following layers are defined.

1

2

3

4

=

=

=

=

tree layer (only ligneous, incl. climbers) > 5 m height

shrub layer (only ligneous, incl. climbers) > 0,5 m height

herb layer (all non-ligneous, and ligneous < 0,5m height)

moss layer (i.e. terricolous bryophytes and lichens).

Seedlings and browsed trees below 0,5 m should be part of the herb layer.

(68) Species code

A species code is to be applied, which consists of three groups of number codes for the family, genus and species sepa-
rated by dots (.). Most codes consist of a three-digit number.

(69) Cover of plant species

Countries are free in the assessment of the abundance/cover of the plant species. The submission of this cover is in %
using three digits and two decimals (999,99). In the DAR the complete assessment methods, as well as the conversion
to % shall be specified.

Information with regards to ozone injury

(70) Scoring and definition for the percentage of symptomatic leaves on a branch with approximately 30 leaves

0

1

2

3

No injury, none of the leaves injured.

1 %-5 % of the leaves show ozone symptoms

6 %-50 % of the leaves show ozone symptoms

51 %-100 % of leaves show ozone symptoms

(71) Scoring and scoring definition for visible ozone injury as it is expressed on the respective needle years for the collected branch lets

of conifer species

No injury present

1-5 % of the surface is affected

6- 50 % of the surface is affected

51 – 100 % of the surface is affected.

0

1

2

3

(72) Code and definition for the classification of the soil moisture conditions within the LESS and subplots

1

2

3

Wet or damp (riparian zones and wet or damp areas along a stream, meadow or bottom land)

Moderately dry (grassland or meadow, and North or East facing slopes)

Very dry (exposed rocky edges)

Information with regard to phenological observations

(73) Event codes for the monitored effects and phenological phenomena

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Needle appearance or leaf unfolding

Lammas shoots/secondary flushing

Flowering

Color changes

Leaf/needle fall

Significant signs of leaf or crown damage (e.g., eaten leaves or bare crown parts)

Other damage (breakage, uprooted trees).

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(74) Occurrence of the events and phenomena

0 =

1 =

2 =

3 =

4 =

0 %

>0 – 33 %

>33 – 66 %

>66 - <100 %

100 %.

In case significant signs of leaf or crown damage (event code 6) or other damage (event code 7) are observed, an additional
assessment should be made according to the submanual on crown condition and its guidelines for the assessment of the
cause of damage.

(75) Part of the crown observed

1 =

top of the crown

2 = middle of the crown

3 =

top and middle of the crown

(76) Flowering phases

The number of male flowers that are in the described stage or have already passed this stage is to be recorded using the
following classification:

0 =

1 =

the phase is absent

the phase is present (e.g. three or more male (staminate) inflorescences).

(77) Needle appearance, leaf unfolding, autumn coloring and leaf fall

The proportion of needles or leaves of the visible part of the crown that are in the described stage or have already passed
this stage is to be recorded using the following classification:

0 =

1 =

2 =

3 =

4 =

0 %

>0 – 33 %

>33 – 66 %

>66 - <100 %

100 %.

(78) Shedding of green leaves

Shedding of green leaves caused by e.g. hail, windstorms, insects or drought should be recorded using the following clas-
sification (according to the ‘recording of biotic and abiotic (damaging) events’, but on the individual tree level):

0 =

1 =

2 =

3 =

4 =

0 %

>0 – 33 %

>33 – 66 %

>66 - <100 %

100.

(79) Frost damage of needles, leaves or flowers

Damage of needles, leaves or flowers caused by late frost in spring should be recorded using the following classification:

0 =

1 =

2 =

3 =

4 =

0 %

>0 – 33 %

>33 – 66 %

>66 - <100 %

100

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If significant signs of leaf or crown damage (event code 6) or other damage (event code 7) are observed, then an additional
assessment should be made according to the submanual on crown condition and its guidelines for the assessment of the
causes of damage.

Information with regard to additional information on damages causes

(80) Location in crown

1: Upper crown

2:

3:

4:

Lower crown

Patches/by branches

Total crown

(81) Affected parts of a tree and location in the crown

Affected part

Specification of
affected part

Symptom

Symptom specifi-
cation

Location in crown

Leaves/needles

1

Current year
needles

11

Partly or totally
devoured/missing

01 holes or partly

31 Upper crown

devoured/missing

Older needles

12

Needles of all
ages

Broadleaves
(incl. evergreen
spec.)

13

14

32

Lower crown

notches
(leaf/needle
margins
affected)

totally
devoured/missing

33

Patches/
branchwise

Skeletonised

34

Total crown

1

2

3

4

Mined

Premature fall-
ing

02 Overall

35

36

37

03 flecking, spots

38

Light green to
yellow discol-
oration

Red to brown
discoloration
(incl. necrosis)

Bronzing

04 Marginal

Other color

05 Banding

Interveinal

tip, apical

Partial

along veins

39

40

41

42

43

44

microfilia (small
leaves)

other abnormal
size

06

07

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Affected part

Leaves/needles

Specification of
affected part

Symptom

Symptom specifi-
cation

Location in crown

Deformations

08 Curling

Bending

Rolling

stalk twisting

Folding

Galls

Wilting

other deforma-
tions

other symptom 09

Signs of insects

10 black coverage
on leaves

Nest

adults, larvae,
nymph, pupae,
egg masses

Signs of fungi

11 white coverage
on leaves

fungal fruiting
bodies

Other signs

12

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

1

2

3

4

Branches/shoots
& buds

2

Current year
shoots

21

devoured/missing 01

Upper crown

diameter
< 2 cm (twigs)

22

Broken

diameter
2 - < 10 cm

23 Dead/
dying

diameter
>= 10 cm

24 Abortion

varying size

25 Necrosis

13

14

15

16

Lower crown

Patches

Total crown

Top leader
shoot

26 Wounds

17 Debarking

58

(debarking,
cracks etc.)

Buds

27

Cracks

other wounds

59

60

Resin flow
(conifers)

Slime flux
(broadleaves)

Decay/rot

18

19

20

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Affected part

Branches/shoots
& buds

Specification of
affected part

Symptom

Symptom specifi-
cation

Location in crown

Deformations

08 Wilting

bending, droop-
ing, curving

Cankers

Tumours

51

61

62

63

witches broom

64

other deforma-
tions

52

other symptom 09

Signs of insects

10 boring holes,

65

boring dust

Nest

white dots
or covers

adults, larvae,
nymph, pupae,
egg masses

54

66

55

Signs of fungi

11 fungal fruiting

57

bodies

Other signs

12

Stem/collar

3

Crown stem

31 Wounds

17 Debarking

58

(debarking,
cracks etc.)

Bole

Roots (exposed)
& collar

32

33

Whole trunk

34

cracks (frost
cracks, …)

59

other wounds

60

Resin flow
(conifers)

Slime flux
(broadleaves)

Decay/rot

18

19

20

Deformations

08 Cankers

Tumours

Longitudinal
ridges (frost
ribs, …)

62

63

other deforma-
tions

52

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Affected part

Stem/collar

Specification of
affected part

Symptom

tilted

fallen (with
roots)

broken

Necrosis

21

22

13

16

Symptom specifi-
cation

Location in crown

other symptom 09

Signs of insects

10 boring holes,

boring dust

white dots
or covers

adults, larvae,
nymph, pupae,
egg masses

65

66

55

Signs of fungi

11 fungal fruiting

57

bodies

yellow to
orange blisters

67

Dead tree

No symptoms
on any part of
tree

4

0

No assessment

9

(82) Main categories of causal agents/factors

Agent group

Game and grazing

Insects

Fungi

Abiotic agents

Direct action of men

Fire

Atmospheric pollutants

Other factors

(Investigated but) unidentified

(83) Agent group

Game & grazing

Insects

Fungi

Abiotic agents

Direct action of men

Fire

Atmospheric pollutants

Other

(Investigated but) unidentified

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

999

Code

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

999

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(84) Agent group - Game and grazing

Class

Cervidae

Code

110

Type

Roe deer

Red deer

Reindeer

Elk/Moose (Alces alces)

Other Cervidae

Suidae

120

Wild boar

Rodentia

130

Other Suidae

Rabbit

Hare

Squirrel etc.

Vole

Beaver

Other Rodentia

Aves

140

Tetraonidae

Domestic animals

150

Corvidae

Picidae

Fringillidae

Other Aves

Cattle

Goats

Sheeps

Other domestic

Other vertebrates

190

Bear

Other vertebrate

(85) Agent group – Insects

Defoliators

Stem, branch and twig borers (incl. shoot miners)

Class

Bud boring insects

Fruit boring insects

Sucking insects

Mining insects

Gall makers

Other insects

(86) Agent group – Fungi

Class

Needle casts and needle- rust fungi

Stem and shoot rusts

Dieback and canker fungi

Blight

Decay & root rot fungi

Other fungi

Code

111

112

113

114

119

121

129

131

132

133

134

135

139

141

142

143

144

149

151

152

153

159

191

199

Code

210

220

230

240

250

260

270

290

Code

301

302

309

303

304

390

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(87) Agent group- abiotic

Class

Chemical factors

Code

410

Type

Nutritional disorders- nutrient
deficiencies

Code

411

Specific factor

Code

Cu - deficiency

41101

Fe - deficiency

Mg - deficiency

Mn - deficiency

K - deficiency

N - deficiency

B-deficiency

Mn - toxicity

Other

41102

41103

41104

41105

41106

41107

41108

41109

Winter frost

Late frost

42401

42402

412

421

422

423

424

425

426

427

429

430

431

432

433

Physical factors

420

Avalanche

marine salt + surfactants

Drought

Flooding/High water

Frost

Hail

Heat/Sun scald

Lightning

Mud/land slide

Snow/Ice

Wind/Tornado

Other abiotic factor

490

Winter injury - winter desiccation

Shallow/poor soil

(88) Agent group - Direct action of men

Class

Imbedded objects

Improper planting technique

Land use conversion

Silvicultural operations or for-
est harvesting

Mechanical/vehicle damage

Road construction

Soil compaction

Improper use of chemicals

Other direct action of men

Code

510

520

530

540

550

560

570

580

590

Type

Code

Cuts

Pruning

Resin tapping

Cork stripping

Silvicultural operations in close trees and other silvicul-
tural operations

Pesticides

Deicing salt

541

542

543

544

545

546

547

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(89) Agent group - Atmospheric pollutants

Class

SO2

H2S

O3

PAN

F

HF

Other

(90) Agent group - Other

Class

Parasitic/Epiphytic/Climbing plants

Code

810

Species/Type

Viscum album

Arceuthobium oxycedri

Hedera helix

Lonicera sp

Bacteria

820

Bacillus vuilemini

Brenneria quercinea

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Lack of light

Physical interactions

Competition in general (density)

Other

830

840

850

860

890

Virus

Nematodes

Competition

Somatic mutations

Other (known cause but not included in
the list)

(91) Extent

Code

701

702

703

704

705

706

790

Code

81001

81002

81003

81004

82001

82002

84001

85001

85002

85003

85004

The extent of the damage indicates the quantity (%) of the affected part of the tree due to the action of the causal agent or
factor, e.g. the % of affected branches.

The extent of symptoms reflecting defoliation (e.g. leaf damage by defoliators) indicates the % of the leaf area which is
lost due to the action of the agent/factor concerned. This means that the extent should take into account not only the % of
affected leaves, but also the ‘intensity’ of the damage on leaf level: physiologically it makes a difference for a tree if 30 % of
its leaves show only some small holes or if 30 % of its leaves are totally devoured.

The affected leaf area is expressed as a percentage of the actual foliage at the time of observation.

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(92) Damage extent classes

Class

0 %

1 – 10 %

11 – 20 %

21- 40 %

41 – 60 %

61 – 80 %

81 – 99 %

(93) Causes name

The nomenclature recommended by ICP Forests shall be used.

Code

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

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ANNEX II

MANUAL – In order to comply with Article 10 of (EC) Regulation 2152/2003

COMMON CORE FOREST FIRE DATA – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The following technical specifications shall apply in relation to the collection of the common core data to be recorded and
notified for each forest fire occurred, as indicated in Article 9.

Data shall be supplied in comma delimited ASCII format files (i.e. CSV - Comma Separated Value format). Every fire will
be one record of the file. The following information will have to be included in each fire record:

(a) Date and local time of first alert

Composed by:

a1. Date of first alert: The local date (day, month, year) at which the official forest fire protection services were

informed of the outbreak of the fire.

The expected data format is [YYYYMMDD], example: 20030702 (2 July 2003)

a2. Time of first alert: the local time (hour, minute) at which the official forest fire protection services were informed

of the outbreak of the fire.

The expected data format is [HHMM], with HH from 00 to 23. Examples: 0915, 1446, 0035.

The date and time of first alert are related to the event that triggers the activation of the fire fighting resources. There-
fore it is not necessarily the time when a fire, or a possible fire, is physically reported to the forest fire office, but
more generally the time when a member of the forest fire protection organization is first alerted of a possible fire or
when he directly firstly detects it.

When a check for confirmation of the alert is performed before the activation of the fire fighting crews, the very first
alert has to be reported.

(b) Date and local time of first intervention

Composed by:

b1. Date of first intervention: the local date (day, month, year) on which the first fire-fighting units arrived on the

scene of the forest fire.

The expected data format is [YYYYMMDD], example: 20030702 (2 July 2003)

b2. Time of first intervention: the local time (hour, minute) at which the first fire-fighting units arrived on the scene

of the forest fire.

The expected data format is [HHMM], with HH from 00 to 23. Examples: 0915, 1446, 0035.

The date and time of first intervention corresponds to the time when the first fire fighting crew reaches the fire front,
i.e. the moment when the first attack starts.

(c) Date and local time of extinction

Composed by:

c1. Date of fire extinction: the local date (day, month, year) on which the fire was completely extinguished, i.e.

when the last fire-fighting units left the scene of the forest fire.

The expected data format is [YYYYMMDD], example: 20030702 (for 2 July 2003)

c2. Time of fire extinction: the local time (hour, minute) at which the fire was completely extinguished, i.e. when

the last fire-fighting units left the scene of the forest fire.

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The expected data format is [HHMM], with HH from 00 to 23. Examples: 0915, 1 446, 0035.

The date and time of extinction correspond to the time when the fire front was completely extinguished. Therefore it
does include the mop up activities and it does not include the time for the crews to return to the headquarters.

Note: The starting of a new day is midnight (time: 00:00). Therefore, if the first alert is for example at 23:30 and the
first intervention is at 00:30, than these events have to be reported in different days (d and d+1 respectively).

(d) Location of the outbreak at the commune level

The name and code of the commune (1) where the outbreak of the fire was reported. It shall follow the Member State
nomenclature, and the complete list of commune names and codes in use in the Member State and adopted in the
common core forest fire database will have to be supplied together with the fire data in a separate file.

The code of the higher hierarchical territorial unit to which the commune belongs to shall also be recorded. Such
territorial unit will correspond to the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) level 3 as defined in the
Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). The recorded NUTS3 code shall
be in accordance with the five characters codes reported in Annex I of the same Regulation.

New Member States, for which a list of NUTS3 codes is not provided in Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003, will follow
the standard ‘Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS)’ established by the Statistical Office of the Euro-
pean Communities. The reported codes will be the most recent NUTS3 codes as maintained in the GISCO informa-
tion system.

(e) Total fire-damaged area

The total fire-damaged area corresponds to the estimated final fire size, i.e. the extension of the final area burned by
the fire (regardless of the level of damage).

The extension is measured in fraction of hectares with a precision until the second digit, without using the comma as
separator (i.e. in hectares*100) Examples:

Burned area = 12,05 hectares, it shall be recorded as 1205; Burned area = 3,2 hectares, it shall be recorded as 320.

In case of unburned areas located inside the burned perimeter (unburned islands), their surface should be excluded
from the estimate of the fire size

(f) Breakdown of the fire-damaged area into forest and other wooded land and non forested areas

The total burned area has to be divided into:

f(1):

forest and other wooded land area

f(2):

non forested area

‘Forest’ and ‘other wooded land’ are defined according to Article 3 of the Forest Focus Regulation. ‘Non forested area’
corresponds to the ‘other land’ defined in Article 3 of the same regulation. If however the fire burns also agricultural
or urban land, these areas should not be included in the total burnt area.

The extension is measured in fraction of hectares until the second digit without using the comma as separator (i.e. in
hectares*100).

(1) For Belgium ‘Gemeenten/Communes’, for Denmark ‘Kommuner’, for Germany ‘Gemeinden’, for Greece ‘Demoi/Koinotites/’, for Spain
‘Municipios’, for France ‘Communes’, for Ireland ‘Counties or County boroughs’, for Italy ‘Comuni’, for Luxembourg ‘Communes’, for
the Netherlands ‘Gemeenten’, for Austria ‘Gemeinden’, for Portugal ‘Freguesias’, for Finland ‘Kunnat/Kommuner’, for Sweden ‘Kommu-
ner’ and for the United Kingdom ‘Wards’. For Cyprus ‘Chor’, for Czech Republic ‘Obec’, for Estonia ‘Linn/Vald’, for Hungary ‘Telep’, for
Lithuania ‘Savyvaldybe’, for Latvia ‘Pagasts/Pilseta’, for Poland ‘Gmina’, for Slovenia ‘Obcina’, for Slovakia ‘Obce/Ku’.
(2) OJ L 154, 21.6.2003, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1888/2005 (OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p. 1).

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(g) Presumed cause

The presumed cause of the fire should be classified into one of the following four categories:

1. Unknown;

2. Natural cause;

3. Accidental cause or negligence, meaning connection to a human activity but without any intention of causing

the fire (e.g. accidents caused by power lines, railways, works, bonfires, etc.).

4. Deliberate cause or arson.

The datum to be recorded in the fire record is the category number (1 to 4) that is indicated in the list above.

Fire record and data example

A complete fire record will contain all the data items (fields) summarized in the table below.

Field name

Description

Ref.
(*)

Length
(**)

Fire data example

FIREID

DATEAL

TIMEAL

DATEIN

TIMEIN

DATEEX

TIMEEX

NUTS3

MS Fire identifier

Date of first alert

Time of first alert

Date of first intervention

Time of first intervention

Date of fire extinction

Time of fire extinction

NUTS3 code (Regulation EC 1059/2003)

CODECOM

NAMECOM

Commune Code (MS nomenclature)

Commune Name (MS nomenclature)

TBA

FBA

NFBA

CAUSE

Total Burned Area (Ha*100)

Forested Burned Area (Ha*100)

Not Forested Burned Area (Ha*100)

Presumed Cause

8

4

8

4

8

4

5

1

20030813

1435

20030813

1520

20030814

0010

ITG21

090047

OLBIA

2540

2000

540

1

1

a1

a2

b1

b2

c1

c2

d

d

d

e

f1

f2

g

(*) Reference to the paragraphs of this Annex.
(**) Length of the field (number of characters) given only for fixed length fields. The commune code, since it is reported following the MS

nomenclature, might have different length according to the country.

The fire record given in the column ‘Fire data example’ will be recorded in the delivered CSV file as the following:

1, 20030813, 1435, 20030813, 1520, 20030814, 0010, ITG21, 090047, OLBIA, 2540, 2000, 540, 1

Important note

No one item should be left blank in a fire record. A specific code should be explicitly defined for each data type and
recorded in case of missing information. Therefore missing data codes shall be defined for different data types

The following missing data codes are suggested:

Date (fields DATEAL, DATEIN, DATEEX):

99999999

Time (fields TIMEAL, TIMEIN, TIMEEX):

Location (fields NUTS3, CODECOM, NAMECOM):

Area (fields TBA, FBA, NFBA):

Cause (field CAUSE):

9999

XX

-999

9

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Empty fields (with neither data nor missing data code) will be considered mistakes and the corresponding fire record will
have to be processed separately.

Data quality assessment

Analytical data quality assessment will be performed upon receipt of data from the Member States, in order to ensure
integrity and logical consistency of the database.

In a first stage individual fields will be examined to verify that data domains and validation rules are respected (see table
below).

Field name

Data domains and validation rules for individual fields

Codes for missing
data

FIREID

DATEAL

TIMEAL

DATEIN

TIMEIN

DATEEX

TIMEEX

NUTS3

CODECOM

NAMECOM

TBA

FBA

NFBA

CAUSE

No duplicate values accepted (ID must exist and be unique within the coun-
try)

Missing data not
accepted

Date must exist in the reporting year (e.g. year = reporting year; month
domain: 1..12; day domain: depending on month)

Domains: Hour (0..23); Minutes (0..59)

Date must exist in the reporting year (e.g. year = reporting year; month
domain: 1..12; day domain: depending on month)

Domains: Hour (0..23); Minutes (0..59)

Date must exist in the reporting year (e.g. year = reporting year; month
domain: 1..12; day domain: depending on month)

99999999

9999

99999999

9999

99999999

Domains: Hour (0..23); Minutes (0..59)

NUTS3 code must exist in Appendix I of Regulation EC 1059/2003 (or in
GISCO database for new MS)

Commune code must correspond to a code in the list of commune codes
provided by the MS

Commune name must correspond to a name in the list of commune names
provided by the MS

Domain: TBA > 0

Domain: FBA ≥ 0

Domain: NFBA ≥ 0

Domain: CAUSE in (1,2,3,4)

9999

XX

XX

XX

-999

-999

-999

9

In a second stage logical consistency among fields will be checked. To this end a number of rules will be applied to the
received data, such as in the following, not exhaustive, examples:

1.

2.

3.

The temporal sequence ‘date/time alarm’ -> ‘date/time intervention’ -> ‘date/time extinction’ should be respected. It
can only be accepted in some cases that ‘date/time alarm’ = ‘date/time intervention’ in the event that the first attack
follows immediately fire detection (fire detected by a fighting crew), although this situation is not often met.

It shall be verified that ‘Forested burned area’ + ‘Not forested burned area’ = ‘Total burned area’.

The commune indicated in CODECOM and NAMECOM shall belong to the territorial unit indicated in NUTS3.

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ANNEX III

Evaluation criteria concerning studies, experiments

The following seven criteria listed in the table below shall be applied by the Commission for the purpose of evaluating
proposals for studies, experiments and demonstration projects and testing on the basis of a pilot phase included in the
national programmes.

The range of points available for each question specifying the seven criteria and the elimination scores fore each questions
are provided by the table below. If a proposal does not reach the minimum score for a question it shall be eliminated from
the process.

Criteria

Assessment range

Eliminatory score

Assessment points

Award CRITERIA

1. Coherence of the project

0 to 20

Less than 9

Are the project objectives fully explained?

Does the purpose of the project correspond with the
monitoring issues
addressed by Regulation (EC)
No 2152/2003?

Are the expected results explained?

Is a clear and fully detailed explanation given of the
action required?

2. Planning

Is the planning realistic?

3. Financial feasibility

Is the budgetary estimate realistic?

0 to 10

Less than 4

0 to 10

Less than 4

4. Durability

0 to 20

Less than 15

May the action taken and the results have a lasting
impact after the project is completed?

5. General quality of presentation

0 to 10

/

Is the project presented in a logical and well-argued
manner? Is the proposal document well structured, clear
and complete?

6. Quality of the proposal

0 to 20

Less than 9

Evaluation of methodology and project set-up

7. Community interest

0-20

/

Does this project provide directly or indirectly provided
added value at Community level?

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ANNEX IV

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FORMS

Explanatory notes

Types of activities:

Type A: Coordination and management:

Sub-type

Measure

Form(s)

/

/

/

/

/

Coordination costs

Overheads costs

Travel costs

Data management and data transmission to the Commission as well as data dissemi-
nation costs

Costs of elaborating the mid-term review and ex-post evaluation

Type B: Costs related to monitoring of forest ecosystems (Article 4.1a/b and 5.1 of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Sub-type

Measures

B1

B2

B3

Periodic inventories in order to get representative information of the conditions of
forests.

Intensive and continuous monitoring

Forest Fire Information System and prevention measures

2a

2a

2a

2a

2a

Forms

2b

2c

2d I + II

Type C: Studies, experiments, demonstration projects and pilot phases (Article 5(2), 6(2) and 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003)

Sub-type

Measure

Studies on the identification of causes and dynamics of forest fires.

Studies, experiments, demonstration projects to further develop the scheme.

Studies, experiments, demonstration projects to promote harmonised data collection
and delivery, to improve data evaluation as well as data quality including calibra-
tions courses and ring tests.

Monitoring test phases

C1

C2

C3

C4

Forms

Forms

3

3

3

3

The following forms shall be used for the presentation of the multi annual national programmes:

— A short description of the programme (form 1),

— Specific information (forms 2-3).

The programme description form contains administrative information on the competent body and summary informa-
tion on the various individual applications in the programme, along with a timetable. The form shall bear the stamp of the
competent body and be duly signed and dated by it, with the name of the signatory indicated below the signature. The
programme sheet concerning the summary of the individual requests has to be accompanied by a specific informa-
tion form (containing technical information on the individual applications) to be completed for each individual applica-
tion for assistance.

For adaptations of the national programme the completely revised form 1 has to be accompanied by information con-
cerning the specific measures (form 3). All forms have to be marked with ‘Amendment to National Programme No …’.

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The following forms are only available as Exceltables:

Form 1:

Form 2a:

Form 2b:

Form 2c:

PROGRAMME SHEET Summary of the individual requests

Sheet for coordination and management

Sheet for Systematic Network

Sheet for Intensive Monitoring

Form 2d I+II:

Sheets for Forest Fires Information System and prevention measures

Sheet 3: Sheet for C Activities

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ANNEX V

Annual statements of the payments made to beneficiaries

Introductory remarks

Annual statements and progress reports shall be submitted in duplicate to:

European Commission

Directorate-General Environment

Unit B.3

B–1049 Brussels

— Annual statement of expenditures (Use the form in Table 1)

— State of progress of the work (Use the form in Table 2)

Table 1

Statement of expenditures for the national programme for

National Programme 200 _- 200 _

Phase: _ Period from 1/_ _ /200 _ to 1/ _ _ /200 _

(a)
Total assistance granted

(c)
Total payments made to beneficiaries up to the end of period
31.12.20_ _

Table 2

State of progress of the work for

National Programme 200 _- 200 _

Phase: _ Period from 1/_ _ /200 _ to 1/ _ _ /200 _

Application No

Title

Implementation

Implementation
rate

Remarks

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ANNEX VI

Application for pre-financing

National Programme 200 _- 200 _

Phase: _ Period from 1/_ _ /200 _ to 1/ _ _ /200 _

ANNEX VII

Certificate for payment of the balance for

National Programme 200 _- 200 _

Phase: _ Period from 1/_ _ /200 _ to 1/ _ _ /200 _

L

3
3
4
/
7
0

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
u
r
n
a
l

o
f

t
h
e

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
U
n
o
n

i

.

3
0
1
1
2
0
0
6

.

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ANNEX VIII

Table 3

Revenue and expenditure balance sheet for

National Programme 200 _- 200 _

Phase: _ Period from 1/_ _ /200 _ to 1/ _ _ /200 _

Request No

Requested
Community
contribution

Contribution by the
competent body

Other public
funding

Other private
funding

Commercial revenues
generated by the
national programme

Total

Table 4

Breakdown of costs for

National Programme 200 _- 200 _

Phase: _ Period from 1/_ _ /200 _ to 1/ _ _ /200 _

(sorted by sub-type of activity)

Request No

Type of activity
(A, B, C)

Sub-type of
activity
(1, 2, …)

Costs

Remarks

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Total

30.11.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 334/73

ANNEX IX

EVALUATIONS AND REVIEWS

Instruction for the ex-ante evaluation

The ex-ante evaluation exercise shall take into account the experience from the previous monitoring activities. An ex-ante
evaluation is also designed to get potential risk factors and obstacles to implementation out into the open. It has to lay
emphasis on technical and financial monitoring mechanism.

Furthermore the ex-ante exercise shall provide additional information needed by the Commission to look upon the pro-
posals and to make a just and transparent decision on the financial contributions. In this regard, the evaluation work has
to facilitate a constructive dialogue between the responsible bodies for the national programmes and the experts as well as
the Commission.

Main elements to be tackled in the ex-ante evaluation

(1)

Short description of programme elements and definition of objective

(2) Review of the national monitoring conception.

(3) Priorities within the national programme.

(4)

Specific objective of the activities and results expected.

(5)

Intensity and periodicity of the data collection and analysis with short explanation.

(6) National specifics and linkages to other monitoring activities or forest related inventories.

(7)

Short description of the situation concerning forest fire issues and main elements of the forest fire protection plans
for the area concerned.

Midterm-Review/Ex-post evaluation

The mid-term review and the ex-post evaluation shall present the progress made and has to lay emphasis on the analysis of
gaps and potentials.

Main elements to be tackled in the mid-term review and in the ex-post evaluation

Part A – Achievements and main findings

Part B – Evaluation of success and failure as well as of the efficiency

1.

2.

Structure and organisation of the national monitoring programme

Coherence of the Community scheme with the national monitoring
scheme

3.

Evaluation of the programme elements

Part C - Cost-benefit analysis

Part D - Recommendations

1.

2.

Recommendations as regards the Community scheme

Recommendation as regards the national scheme

Part E – Conclusions

Mid-term

X

X

X

X

X

ex-post

X

X