The Ecology Laboratory was established in 1998 in order to assist the Department of Ecology of the FRI. Activities cover precipitation, plant and soil analysis. After the preparation, we carry out physical and chemical analyses of samples from FRI sample plots. Results are delivered to and processed at the Department of Ecology. The lab quantifies pH, conductivity, alkalinity and anion (Cl, NO₃, NO₂, SO₄, PO₄) and cations (NH₄, Ca, Mg, K, Na), partly based on the Hungarian Standards, partly on the Uniform Water Examination Methods. Analysis of the parts of plants (biomass) covers determining the C, N, S, and the total Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Mn and P elements. In the course of the soil tests, we perform soil physics and soil chemistry (inorganic chemistry) measurements in a wide range of parameters to be investigated. Beside the routine analyses (pH, CaCO₃, H%, K_A, acidity indexes), we specify the quantity of macro-and microelements, (heavy metals, toxic elements, if necessary) by request. The lab is equipped with modern instruments, like CNS tester, ioncromatograph (IC), atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), different sample analysis devices, and it has the capacity to fulfill orders. Among others, we fulfilled orders from the State Forest Service, the BETA Research and Development Ltd, the Szent Istvan University, and a number of soil experts and individuals. We present the lab to university students, home and foreign colleagues several times a year. We provide lab services based on the Hungarian Standards, with high accuracy and on short deadline. Our laboratory has established and operates a quality system according to the Hungarian Standard no MSZ EN ISO/IEC 17025: 2005. Currently, there are four people working in the lab: the head of laboratory, two laboratory assistants, and a laboratory aid.