Oberes Ilseeinzugsgebiet

Upper Ilse catchment area

Catchment area of the upper Ilse river (Obere Ilse)

The sub-area Oberes Ilseeinzugsgebiet (upper catchment area of the river Ilse) covers approx. 11 km2. It lies in the north and northwest of the Brocken in the centre of the NP Harz and is based on the catchment area of the Upper Ilse. Most of the sub-area is located in the natural development zone and only a small part lies within the dynamic zone. The landscape here is characterized by semi-natural, about 300 year-old block-spruce forests associated with hanging moors. Permanent observation plots of the national park are operated in the area since about 30 years.

The valley of the river Ilse opens to the north and north-northeast and thus reflects the air pollution coming from the East.

Sampling sites for spruce and beech are located in the sub-area.

Sampling site

Specimen

  • A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
  • 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.
  • Soil is livelihood and biosphere for humans, animals, plants and soil organisms. All the substances brought in are transported, transformed and/or accumulated in the soil.

Analytes

Sampling period

1991 - 2022