2019 — Monitoring data on forest ecosystems (GEU level I) (GEU large-scale monitoring)

The forest ecosystem monitoring programme is organised on two levels — Level I (large-scale) and Level II (intensive). Level I surveys are carried out in a network of 159 permanent testing areas for large-scale forest monitoring located throughout the country. Around 5 500 test trees are monitored and evaluated annually. Level II observations and assessments shall be carried out in 3 permanent test areas (2 standard and 1 test area-core) for intensive forest monitoring. The programme operates in Bulgaria in accordance with the International Programme for Monitoring the Effects of Air Pollution on Forest Ecosystems (MCP Gori — http://icp-forests.net/), respectively the Large-scale Monitoring of Forest Ecosystems (GEU) of 1986 and the Intensive of 2003. ICP Forests was launched in the EU in 1985 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in line with the requirements of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP Convention) and the growing public concern about possible damage to forest ecosystems from ambient air pollution. To date, the ICP Gory observation and evaluation network is one of the world’s largest biomonitoring systems. The monitoring programme and its results are relevant not only for clean air policies, but also for those aimed at combating climate change, protecting biodiversity, soil and water resources. Sustainable management of forests, based on information on their condition, guarantees the effective functioning of the wide variety of benefits they provide to us. Level I: The monitoring programme for forest ecosystems in 2019 was carried out in all 160 permanent test areas of the level I network (large-scale monitoring. 4 coniferous — Abies alba Mill., Pinus nigra Arn., Picea abies (L.) Karst and Pinus sylvestris L., and 9 deciduous tree species — Carpinus betulus L., Castanea sativa Mill., Fagus sylvatica L., are rated for deleasing. Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Quercus cerris L., Quercus frainetto Ten., Quercus. petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus rubra L. and Tilia platyphillos Scop.. The total number of conifers observed was 2 421 and deciduous trees were 3,170. The results show that, under the delisting indicator, in 2019, coniferous and deciduous species remained in position compared to 2018. In 0+ 1 grades (excluding slightly deleaved) were 68.85 % of the observed model trees. A 1.28 % increase in endangered and dried 3+ 4 grades. Deciduous species were observed in better condition — in 0+ 1 grades were 79.71 % and for conifers 54.04 %. In the 4th degree (dead), there were 1.51 % of deciduous and 3.85 % of coniferous model trees. All coniferous species observed in 2019 remained healthy and slightly deleaved (0+ 1 grades) compared to the previous year and increased the share of highly deleaved and dead (3+ 4 degrees) from 10.8 % in 2018 to 14.43 %. The potential danger to the plantations of pine (Pinus sylvestris) and black pine (Pinus nigra) are the pathogens Lecanosticta acicula and Dothistroma septosporum found in Bulgaria, considered highly adaptable to new hosts and environmental conditions. Pine plantations have a high proportion of wet snow damage. This is a prerequisite for mass multiplication of xylophages. In the plantations of common beech (Fagus sylvatica) on the leaves, damage from leaves, leaves (Orchestes fagi, Stigmella hemargyrella) and gallo-forming or (Mikiola fagi) insects that are of a low degree are recorded. Slight attacks by sucking insects (Phyllaphis fagi) have also been identified. In oak plantations (Quercus cerris, Q. frainetto, Q. petraea and Q. rubra), damage by leaf-rollers or pedo-measures (Geometridae and Tortricidae) is low. In general, massive attacks by insect pests and mushroom diseases in the observed plantations are not observed. Data on defoliation levels in 2019, for deciduous, coniferous and all tree species (age up to 60, above 60 and all) are given in the tables (1, 2 and 3) below: