Influence of air pollution on the ecophysiological parameters of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Siberian spruce Picea obovata Ledeb.) in the urban ecosystems of Southern Siberia
N.V. Pakharkova, A.D. Shkaruba, G.A. Sorokina, N.A. Gaevskiy, Yu.S. Grigoriev, O.P. Kalyakina, A.A. Shubin, M.A. Polosukhina
Section: Monitoring of natural and anthropogenically disturbed areas
This research aims towards a better understanding of the responses of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and the
Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) to air pollution stress in urban and semi-urban conditions. One of the most reliable
tests for the depth of winter dormancy is measuring the concentration of abscisic acid in needles. An alternative method
for determining the depth of winter dormancy is based on the measurements of heat-induced changes in chlorophyll fluorescence. Our research confirms that the depth of winter dormancy of P. sylvestris and P. obovata is highly sensitive
to air pollution stress. In polluted environments, in late winter and early spring, the final release from dormancy is controlled only by low temperatures and it can be easily triggered by the first warm period or even a quick daytime thawing.
Our data demonstrate that the trees growing in industrial areas are easier to release from dormancy and to be affected
by late winter or spring frost. In urban environments, the risk of frost injuries is even higher due to early spring warm
spells associated with the heat island effect. P. sylvestris is less susceptible to air pollution and temperature fluctuations
than P. obovata, and therefore represents a better choice for urban forestry projects.
ISSN 1995-4301
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