EVALUATION OF FOREST SITES BY MEANS OF CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MYCORRHIZAE AND FINE ROOTS

Sample plots were evaluated by means of mycorrhizas and fine roots. As evaluation criteria, the penetration by roots (density), the frequenc y of mycorrhizas, the state of health of the fine roots and the mycorr hizas, the number of different types of mycorrhizas, and abnormal form s of growth were described. Judging from these criteria, the investiga ted forest sites are in a good and stable condition. A correlation bet ween parameters and altitude, between the density of fine roots and th e use of pasture, and between the development of beech leaves and that of mycorrhizas was proved. First results regarding the storage and ac cumulation capacities of heavy metals in mycorrhizae are available. Fu rthermore, it turned out that the development of beech leaves may be u sed as an indicator of the processes going on in the root system.