Foliage has been sampled every two years since 1995/1997 on 5-6 trees of the main species on all LWF plots. Concentrations of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S), carbon (C) and micronutrients are determined on leaves and current and previous year needles. The dry mass of 100 leaves or 1000 needles is determined as well. ### Purpose: ### To assess the nutrient status of the forest stands and detect possible deficiencies or imbalances, which are often indicative of processes at the ecosystem level. ### Manual Citation: ### * Brang, P., Hug, C., Thimonier, A., Zehnder, U., 1997. Kapitel D1.5 Nährstoffversorgung von Nadeln und Blättern, in: Brang, P. (Ed.), Aufnahmeanleitungen aller Forschungsprojekte auf Flächen der Langfristigen Waldökosystem-Forschung (LWF). Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf, pp. 1-12. * Rautio P, Fürst A, Stefan K, Raitio H, Bartels U, 2016: Part XII: Sampling and Analysis of Needles and Leaves. In: UNECE ICP Forests Programme Co-ordinating Centre (ed.): Manual on methods and criteria for harmonized sampling, assessment, monitoring and analysis of the effects of air pollution on forests. Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems, Eberswalde, Germany, 19 p. + Annex [http://icp-forests.net/page/icp-forests-manual](http://icp-forests.net/page/icp-forests-manual) ### Paper Citation: ### * Thimonier A, Graf Pannatier E, Schmitt M, Waldner P, Walthert L, Schleppi P, Dobbertin M, Kräuchi N (2010) Does exceeding the critical loads for nitrogen alter nitrate leaching, the nutrient status of trees and their crown condition at Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) sites?. European Journal of Forest Research, 129 (3): 443-461. [doi: 10.1007/s10342-009-0328-9](http://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-009-0328-9)