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Often investigations deal with the residue situation in contaminated areas and their effects on ecosystems, however, information are rare concerning relatively uncontaminated areas -so called "reference areas". In such areas we can assume an insignificant influence of pollutants and we can measure the metal flux under relatively natural conditions.Since 1988 we have investigated the nutrient and energy flow as well as the metal flux in an area which is hardly influenced by anthropogenic activities besides some agro-chemical compounds. For example, the depostion and contamination of some plants is relatively low in comparison to other places in North Germany. Also the average of geological background concentrations of soil from Schleswig-Holstein are higher than soil concentrations from Bornhöved. With this investigation we demonstrate the flux of metals through selected biotic compartments of a relatively uncontaminatedwoodland. Good indicators accumulating the non essential metals Cd and Pb are beetles and isopods. In contrast ground spiders, although predators, show only low metal concentrations. The essential metals Cu and Zn were relatively homogenous in concentration in the animals. Zn showed the highest values and beetles seem to accumulate it.

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