Beech

Common beech, European beech; scientific name: Fagus sylvatica
Beech
Photo: UPB-Projektgruppe Trier

As the most dominant deciduous tree species in Central Europe, it plays a significant role in most nearly natural and also anthropogenically influenced forest ecosystems up to an altitude of 1100 m.

 Unlike the coniferous spruce, it prefers lower altitudes.

The leaves are the target organ. Sampling takes place in the late summer before the leaves begin to change colour from August to mid-September.

Guideline for Sampling and Sample Treatment Red Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Target organs/Matrices

Leaves As the assimilation organs of the dominant deciduous tree species growing in summer, beech leaves are very well-suited as bioindicators for atmospheric immissions during the vegetation period.

Sampling area

BR/NP Berchtesgaden The only high mountains national park in Germany and an area of the Limestone Alps with international relevance.
Bornhöveder Seengebiet Main watershed between the North- and Baltic Sea.
NP Bayerischer Wald The Bavarian Forest National Park is Germany's first national park.
NP Harz The Harz National Park is Germany's largest forest national park.
Solling Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany.
BR Pfälzerwald Germany's largest connected forest area in a range of low mountains.
Oberbayerisches Tertiärhügelland The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin.

Analytes

Metals Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals
Nonmetals Only eighteen elements in the periodic table
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Group of organic compounds with at least three condensed six-membered rings
Supplementary parameters Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data

Sampling period

1996 - 2010

Biometric parameters

Height  
Circumference  
Leaf dry weight