An assessment of experimental and potential countermeasures to reduce radionuclide transfers in forest ecosystems

Abstract The effectiveness and technical feasibility of measures which have been, or could be, used to reduce radionuclide transfers between forest compartments are evaluated. The variety of forest ecosystems, the multiple usage of forests and the regional diversity in forestry techniques prevent a universal, definitive list of appropriate countermeasures from being given. Most of them should only be encouraged in a limited number of cases, where there are high contamination levels and the countermeasure has a high cost-effectiveness. Conversely, they should be discouraged when they jeopardise the survival of the forest or lead to insurmountable contaminated waste management problems.