MONITORING IN 1989 OF MEDITERRANEAN TREE CONDITION AND NUTRITIONAL-STATUS IN SOUTHERN TUSCANY, ITALY

Previous investigation has shown evidence of damage to forest vegetation throughout Tuscany, especially in the coastal areas. In 1989 a specific survey was carried out in a 400 km2 region which has a number of major emission sources. Two hundred sampling plots were selected on a 1 km x 1 km grid; 5193 trees were assessed and 306 leaf samples and 198 soil samples were collected. Results show that: (1) evergreen species (both conifers and broadleaves) are the most affected; (2) damage seems more intense nearer to the emission sources where crown density is significantly reduced; (3) N, Ca, K and Cu contents in leaves are often at a critical level or deficient; (4) geographical distribution of Pb in the surface soil and Na in the leaves coincides in part with the more damaged zone.