International Cooperative Programme (ICP) on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems

The integrated monitoring of ecosystems refers to the simultaneous measurement of physical, chemical and biological properties of an ecosystem over time and across compartments at the same location. In practice, monitoring is divided into a number of compartmental subprogrammes which are linked by the use of the same parameters (cross-media flux approach) and/or same/close stations (cause-effect approach).

ICP Integrated Monitoring

The multi-disciplinary Integrated Monitoring programme (ICP IM) is part of the effect-oriented activities under the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP), which covers the region of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It belongs to a group of six specialist International Cooperative Programmes (ICPs) which have been set up under the LRTAP Convention's Working Group on Effects to look at relevant receptors and environmental issues. The ICP IM sites are catchments/plots located in natural or semi-natural areas.