Common spruce

Norway spruce; scientific name: Picea abies
Common spruce shoot
Photo: UPB-Projektgruppe Trier

A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.

Its suitability as a specimen type for the Environmental Specimen Bank is founded on its economic and ecological significance, our considerable understanding of its ecology, population genetics, sensitivity and patterns of accumulation in relation to many hazardous substances.

The target organ is the one-year-old shoot which, when sampled in spring  from February to late May before sprouting begins, presents a comprehensive picture of winter pollution in the environment, unlike the deciduous beech and poplar.

For more information about the specimen, the sampling and the processing of samples see the Guideline for Sampling and Sample Processing Norway Spruce (Picea abies) / Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris).

Target organs/Matrices

Sampling area

Analytes

Sampling period

1985 - 2023

Extended information

Links to external information and legislation

Literature