The threats posed by air pollution and climate change have resulted in
considerable public debate about forest condition and growth during the
past two decades. Despite the massive input ofresearch resources, no
clear answers have been found to these global questions. Although there
have been substantial advances in our knowledge of the effects of air
pollutants on the forests, many of the questions associated with forest
condition are still open. Monitoring of forest condition at the national
level started in Finland in 1985 in accordance with the methodology
drawn up by the International Co-operative Programme on Assessments and
Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests, UN/ECE).
Since then, research into forest condition and vitality has been one of
the key areas in the research carried out by the Finnish Forest Research
Institute. Three basic questions formed the starting point for the
multidisciplinary, Forest Condition Research Programme: What changes are
taking place in our forests? Why does forest condition vary, and why do
trees appear to be suffering? How can forest condition be maintained
through appropriate forest management? This report covers forest
condition and changes in environmental factors on the of the latest
findings, publications and expertise of researchers participated in
basis the Forest Condition Research Programme. In addition to
researchers from the Finnish Forest Research Institute, a large number
of scientists from domestic and foreign universities and research
institutes also made a considerable contribution to the research
programme.
