For assessment of ozone risks to forests we used ozone thresholds and air quality guidelines set by several international organizations for protection of vegetation. We also used spatial modelling for estimation of basic ozone characteristics. Calculations of models were performed in the environment of the programme Idrisi 32. The spatial coverage of ozone monitoring network in the Slovak Republic has insufficient density. Ozone data come from two sources; SHMI/EMEP database of ozone concentrations from 4 monitoring stations and ozone database of FRI from 3 monitoring stations

The aim of the experiment was to find out the influence of various thinning regimes on health condition of young stands of Norway spruce under the stress of air pollution. The experiment is based on comparative method. The series consists of three comparative plots with different thinning regimes. The comparative plot 1 is a control plot without thinning. The program with heavy thinning from below has been tested on the plot 2 and the program based on one very heavy thinning in the young age and longer periods was applied in the stands of plots 3. Health condition of experimental stands was assessed on defoliation in 1982, 1981 and since 1987 annually on both series

Ectomycorrhizal types were quantified in soil cores taken from 0-5 cm horizon. Nine ectomycorrhizal types were distinguished on roots of pines grown close to the copper smelter, 17 on trees grown in vicinity of aluminium smelter versus 25 found on trees grown near phosphate fertilizer plant and from control trees. Molecular studies were performed to give a greater resolution of how emission from different sources influenced mycorrhizal fungal community of Scots pine

The main aims of the preparatory stands in air pollution areas are growth development, successfull dynamics of the plants and fast creation of the stand microclimate with favourable effect on soil conditions. This process is documented by height and diameter increment. The results confirm different growth dynamics of the particular species. Larch is the species with the best growth dynamics of selected species on experimental plots. On the other hand, beech is the worst species for reforestation in this condition. One of the causes could be damage by frost

Fertilization plays an essential role in forest management on the site being under air pollution load in last years. The soil acidity due to the acid fall-out is markedly worse and at the same time the concentration of calcium, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium are decreasing. The fertilization besides positive influence on height increment could help in adaptation process of plants establishment after transplanting and it can eliminate negative ifluence of anthropogenic conditions of the environmnet

Taking into account the results of environmental monitoring in forest ecosystems (European Level I- and II-Programme) showing high degrees of soil acidification and still a widespread exceedance of critical loads by deposited sulphur and nitrogen compounds, the programme of differentiated forest protection liming should continue with site specific doses. On the other hand the programme to restore forest ecosystems with higher stability and to a large extent balanced nutrient cycles has to be carried out in order to minimize internal acid-generating processes

Research project main aims are coordinating, summarizing and making interpretation from the research results from the region of interest. Further targets are to focus, concentrate and promote research activities of relevant departments of the Faculty of Forestry in this area. Intention of organising institution is to create a material, grouping together research results available from the Ore Mts., forming a basis for results exchange and launching the data as well as for results utilisable in the forest practice in this region

Following the objective to provide an overview on the spatial and temporal variation in forest condition on a European scale, an extensive systematic survey on more than 6000 so called Level I plots throughout Europe is carried out. Results show a recuparation of crown condition in the mid nineties and a resuming deterioration with nearly a quarter of the sample trees classified as damaged in 2001. Results of statistical evaluations explain the observed variation mainly by weather extremes, insects, fungi and indirect effects of air pollutants via soil acidification or changes in the nutritional status of trees

An outline of the analyses of experimental material from the 2000 moss survey is given. It includes some selected areas in Central Russia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Serbia. Applying this methodology to areas of Central and Eastern Russia, not yet covered by the European moss surveys, will significantly broaden our understanding of air pollution in Europe

Norway spurce (Picea abies L.) is the dominating tree species in the Silesian Beskid Mountains. The mountain forests are under severe climatic conditions, such as low temperatures, short growing season, strong winds, high annual precipitation, a long-time snow cover. The forests have been exposed also for about half century to gaseous and dust pollutants emitted by large industrial centres in the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. Anthropogenic impacts may influence negatively the growth of tree fine roots, can develop ectomycorrhizas and alter the communities of ectomycorrhizal fungi and other microorganisms in soil. Ectomycorrhizal communities at the both forest sites were dominated by the same two morphotypes, which were further studied using the PCP-RFLP analysis for identification of the fungal species