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 km 2 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.