The National Survey of Forest Soils and Vegetation (SK) is a long term inventory of permanent sample plots of the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI). The scientific responsibility of the two projects (SK and NFI) are separate, although the field work is preformed in close integration, under responsibility of NFI.

The sample plots of the NFI are laid out objectively and systematically, covering the whole country every year, except for the high mountain area in the NW. Thus, forming a good statistical representation of Sweden, the plots are a perfect tool for large scale site mapping and environmental monitoring.

During the period 1923-1982 all plots in the NFI were temporary. However, in the 1983 the design was changed and the NFI began to use both temporary and permanent plots. This meant that the NFI became an even better tool for environmental monitoring, since regular remeasurements of the same plots are superior for the detection of changes over time. In order to make use of these great possibilities, a cooperation between the department of Forest Resource Managment and Geomatics (the NFI) and the department of Forest Soils was started (both departments at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU), called the "National Survey of Forest Soils and Vegetation" (SK). During the period 1983-1987 the ordinary NFI field teams were complemented with an extra person who carried out the SK and under this five year period about 23,500 permanent plots were established.

The moments included in SK are in brief overview:

1. A general site description of the area closely surrounding the plot, including e.g. general hydrological conditions, typical soil depth etc.
2. A description of soil types and soil horizons.
3. Sampling of organic and mineral soil horizons for subsequent chemical analyses.
4. A description of vegetation, with emphasis on non-timber aspects.
5. Inventory of pendulous lichens and algal growth on spruce needles.

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