Acid Emissions Harm European Forests
10/11/99
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Title: Acid Emissions Harm European Forests
Source: Environment News Service
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: October 11, 1999
BRUSSELS, Belgium, October 11, 1999 (ENS) - Deposition of acidifying
substances on European forests is almost certainly a causal factor in
declining forest health over the last decade, according to a new
report. The study was published by the European Commission last week
during the opening session of the first plenary session of the newly
elected European Parliament.
The results of the 1998 pan-European forest health survey show little
change from 1997 data, published last year. But both reports confirm
a steady longer-term decline.
Prepared jointly by the European Union (EU) and the UN Economic
Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), the latest forest report shows that
53 percent of trees in the EU showed slight or moderate defoliation
in 1998, while the corresponding figure for the whole of Europe was
71 percent. The report stresses that acidifying emissions of sulphur
and nitrogen are key concerns.
Detailed deposition studies show that acid soils are widespread,
particularly in eastern European countries, with acid inputs found
above acceptable levels in 15 percent of test plots. While sulphur
deposition predominates in eastern countries, nitrogen is now much
more important in western Europe, the report shows. Deposition of
both elements is thought to be responsible for levels of toxic
aluminium in soil solution likely to harm tree health in 10-15
percent of plots.
Meanwhile, nitrates were found in forest soil waters at levels above
limits set in the EU's drinking water directive in 18 percent of
plots. Nitrogen emanating from intensive animal husbandry plays a
"major role" in this, the report concludes.
{Published in cooperation with ENDS Environment Daily, Europe's
choice for environmental news. Environmental Data Services Ltd,
London. Email: envdaily@ends.co.uk; Website: http://www.ends.co.uk}