Physiological characteristics of Japanese red pine, Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc., in declined forests at Mt. Gokurakuji in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

The decline of Japanese red pine trees (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) at Mt. Gokurakuji (693 m a.s.l.), 30 km west of Hiroshima city, west Japan, was studied. The effects of air pollution and acid deposition on the physiological characteristics of the trees, especially those of the needles, were investigated. Ozone concentration was not correlated with the physiological status of the needles and SO₂ concentration was not high in the declined area. NO₂ concentration correlated negatively with needle longevity while it correlated positively with ethylene emission from 1-year-old needles. Average needle longevity was about 2.8 years in non-declined areas; however the longevity was 1.3 years in the most polluted area. The minimal fluorescence at night (F ₀)of 1-year-old needles decreased with increasing NO₂ concentration. The maximum stomatal conductance (gl), net photosynthesis (P _n)and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) in the declined areas were lower than in the non- declined areas (about 50%, 30% and 20% lower, respectively). The lower C _isuggested that the major part of the decrease in P _ncan be explained by stomatal restriction. The soil pH, N content and C/N ratio showed no significant difference between the declined and non-declined areas. The physiological disorders of needles were due to the damage by air pollutants, and important roles of NO₂ are suggested. Lowering of P _n and the shortening of needle longevity appear to be the main causes of the decline in pines in the forest decline area. Received: 16 December 1998 / Accepted: 7 January 2000     

Applications of mineral nutrients to heavily N-fertilized Scots pine trees: Effects on arginine and mineral nutrient concentrations

The aim of the investigation was to study if improved nutrient status in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L) trees would be reflected in decreased concentrations of arginine in the needles. The studies trees had imbalanced mineral nutrient composition and elevated needle arginine concentrations caused by long-term fertilization with N. Concentrations of arginine and mineral nutrients in needles were followed over three consecutive years of additional fertilization with N alone or with P, K, Mg and micronutrients in combination with and without N.Analysis of needle mineral concentrations suggested that there were deficiencies only in K and Mg. The N concentration increased both in trees fertilized with N alone and in trees fertilized with N in combination with mineral nutrients. In the control treatment and in trees fertilized with mineral nutrients other than N the N concentration remained fairly constant. The highest Ca/N, K/N and P/N ratios were found in trees fertilized with mineral nutrients other than N while the lowest ratios were found in trees fertilized with N alone. Arginine concentrations in needles from trees fertilized with N alone remained at a high level throughout the experiment while arginine concentrations in trees given the other treatments decreased.The results show that the mineral nutrient balance can be improved with appropriate fertilization and that this improvement is reflected in decreasing arginine levels. Furthermore the study demonstrates that when N supply is reduced the arginine concentration also decreases also as an effect of reduced N supply per se. The study also indicates that arginine may be a better measure of the N status in pine trees than total N.     

Simulated acid rain reduces the susceptibility of the European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer) to its nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Summary The study dealt with the effect of simulated acid rain (both H₂SO₄ and HNO₃; acidities of pH 4 and pH 3) on the susceptibility of the larvae of Neodiprion sertifer to its nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Scots pines growing in a subarctic area with low ambient pollution levels were irrigated with simulated acid rain during two summers. Neodiprion larvae fed with foliage from the experimental trees were infected with a dilute virus suspension. The acid treatment of host trees had a significant effect on the proportion of virus-treated larvae alive 16 days after the virus application: there were almost no differences between the controls and the pH 4 irrigation group, but on the needles of pH 3-treated trees larval survival was twice as high as with other treatments. The direct spraying of acid water on the needles before they were fed to the larvae did not significantly affect the survival of virus infected larvae. Our results suggest that acid rain may reduce the susceptibility of Neodiprion larvae to virus disease via changes in the quality of pine foliage.     

野外模拟酸雨胁迫下接种外生菌根真菌对马尾松幼苗的缓解作用

外生菌根真菌能够提高宿主植物对外界环境胁迫的抵抗力。主要探讨野外条件下外生菌根真菌对酸雨胁迫下马尾松(Pinus massoniana)幼苗生长、养分元素以及表层土壤的影响,以期为酸雨严重区马尾松林恢复提供科学依据。以2年生马尾松幼苗为材料,采用原位试验,共设置6个处理:p H5.6(对照)处理未接种、对照处理接种、p H4.5酸雨处理未接种、p H4.5酸雨处理接种、p H3.5酸雨处理未接种、p H3.5酸雨处理接种。研究表明:(1)酸雨处理与对照处理相比显著降低了非菌根苗总生物量及各部位生物量(根、茎、叶),对株高无显著影响,接种外生菌根真菌可以缓解酸雨对马尾松幼苗生长的不利影响;(2)与对照处理相比,酸雨处理的非菌根苗的针叶中N、P、Ca含量升高,Mg含量降低,根系中N、P、Ca含量降低,Mg含量随p H的降低先升高后降低。接种外生菌根真菌显著提高了p H3.5酸雨处理的马尾松幼苗根系中N、P、Ca、Mg含量,而对针叶中N、P、Ca、Mg含量无显著影响。(3)在非菌根土壤中,p H3.5酸雨处理与对照处理相比显著降低了土壤中有机质、速效磷、速效钾、可溶性碳、可溶性氮、铵态氮、硝态氮含量,而接种外生菌根真菌显著提高了上述指标。酸雨对土壤阳离子交换量无显著影响。总而言之,接种外生菌根真菌促进了酸雨处理的马尾松幼苗生长、缓解了酸雨对马尾松幼苗养分元素和表层土壤的不利影响,由此可见接种外生菌根真菌是减轻酸雨对马尾松危害的一个重要途径。     

重庆酸雨区马尾松林凋落物特征及对干旱胁迫的响应

气候变化导致干旱等极端气象事件增多,这将和酸雨等环境胁迫一起影响森林健康.在重庆铁山坪于2010年监测了酸雨区受害马尾松林的凋落物数量和组分特征及其对土壤水分的响应.结果表明:马尾松林月凋落物量呈“双峰”模式,第1高峰出现在8-9月份伏旱期,第2高峰出现在冬季休眠的12月份;枯死针叶占年凋落物总量的48.42％,凋落物组分比例为针叶＞树枝＞阔叶＞有机碎屑＞树皮及球果;除阔叶凋落物外,其它组分凋落物在伏旱期均明显增加,与土壤湿度显著负相关,特别是30-40 cm和40-50 cm土层;此外,马尾松林凋落物量还与表征气象干旱的气象指标显著相关.和健康森林相比,酸雨区受害林木的细根数量变少和分布变浅导致马尾松林针叶的年形成量与凋落量减少,但枝凋落量及其占总凋落量的比例增大;凋落发生对于旱胁迫更加敏感,年凋落物量的时间分布更集中在伏旱期;酸雨和干旱的双重胁迫将进一步恶化研究地区的森林健康状况.     

More nitrogen partition in structural proteins and decreased photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus massoniana</Emphasis> under in situ polluted stress

Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) trees in the Pearl River Delta have shown growth decline since late 1980s, particularly those around industrially polluted regions. As nitrogen is an important nutritional element composing functional proteins, structural proteins and photosynthetic machinery, investigation on nitrogen allocation is helpful to understand nutrient alteration and its regulation mechanism in response to pollution stress. Current year (C) and 1-year old needles (C + 1) of five mature trees were sampled in industrially polluted site and unpolluted natural reserve for bioassay. Needles of declining trees had significantly higher leaf nitrogen per unit area (N_L) but lower photosynthetic capacity (P _max), which resulted in lower photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) than those of healthy trees. Nitrogen fraction to the photosynthetic apparatus in the C and C + 1 needles at polluted site was 27 and 22%, significantly lower than the corresponding healthy needles (48 and 32%). The content of structural proteins was positively correlated with N_L in C and C + 1 needles. Moreover, the C and C + 1 needles of declining trees had about 1.8 times structural protein as those of healthy trees, suggesting that more nitrogen allocation to structural protein are needed for stronger structural defenses under polluted stress. Decreases in PNUE of declining pine trees could be partially explained by increases in structural protein nitrogen.     

马尾松毛虫对马尾松和湿地松的选择与适应研究

用马尾松老叶、新叶,湿地松老叶、新叶,当年生马尾松新叶、湿地松新叶和当年生以20％和40％β-蒎烯处理过的马尾松新叶作食料饲养马尾松毛虫。结果表明：马尾松毛虫幼虫在第1代发生期取食马尾松老叶、马尾松新叶、湿地松老叶和湿地松新叶等4种不同质量的食料后,因其食料中10种必需氨基酸含量和挥发性物质β-蒎烯含量的不同,导致幼虫的存活率差异显著。其中,取食马尾松老叶的幼虫成活率最高（44％）,依次为马尾松新叶（32.7％）、湿地松老叶（4％）,而取食湿地松新叶的幼虫全部死亡。通过马尾松针叶增加外援β-蒎烯喂养马尾松毛虫实验,表明增加了外源β-蒎烯的松针饲养的马尾松毛虫幼虫与用同样松针未增加外源β-蒎烯饲养的幼虫相比,死亡率明显提高;松树中β-蒎烯含量的增加与幼虫成活率呈显著负相关。由此,我们阐明了马尾松与湿地松对马尾松毛虫的抗虫机制。     

Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, protein and nitrogen in Scots pine seedlings cultivated at different nutrient levels

Seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) of a northern provenance were cultivated in nutrient solution for 10 weeks in a climate chamber. The nutrient solution (renewed by solution exchange) contained 2.5, 10 or 50 mg N I^?1. All other essential elements were added in optimal proportion to the nitrogen. Seedlings cultivated at 10 and 50 mg N I^?1 were similar with respect to all characteristics studied. Seedlings cultivated at 2.5 mg N I^?1 showed a lower growth rate, especially for the shoot, and an altered morphology, with high root:shoot ratios and long, slender roots. The nitrogen concentrations in shoot and needles as well as in whole seedlings were not significantly affected by the nitrogen supply, while the nitrogen concentrations in the roots were somewhat lower at 2.5 mg N I^?1. Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity and the concentrations of carboxylase, total and soluble protein and of chlorophyll in the needles were consistently much lower for seedlings cultivated at 2.5 mg N I^?1, than for seedlings grown at higher nutrient levels. A close correlation was observed between activity and concentration of the carboxylase (r=0.95). Carboxylase activity and protein were more sensitive to a low nutrient supply than was chlorophyll. The data show how activity and concentration of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase and the concentrations of soluble and total protein and of chlorophyll in needles of pine seedlings can be negatively affected by the nutrient supply, also when the nitrogen concentrations in the needles are close to those observed at optimal nutrient supply. It is suggested that pine seedlings store assimilated non-protein nitrogen in the needles when protein synthesis is under restraint. The nitrogen concentration in needles and seedlings could not be used as a measure of the physiological state of the seedlings.     

Influence of elevated ozone and limited nitrogen availability on conifer seedlings in an open-air fumigation system: effects on growth, nutrient content, mycorrhiza, needle ultrastructure, starch and secondary compounds

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) seedlings were exposed to realistically elevated O₃ levels in open‐air experiments over three growing seasons. The total O₃ exposure doses were 1.2 × (1991), 1.5 × (1992) and 1.7 × (1993) ambient levels. During the 1992 and 1993 growing seasons pine and spruce seedlings received two different levels of nitrogen supply. Effects on growth, mycorrhiza formation, needle ultrastructure, primary and secondary compounds were studied. Ozone exposure had only slight effects on biomass production, growth height and nutrient content of studied conifers. Higher nitrogen availability improved growth of the seedlings and resulted in higher concentration of nitrogen in needles. In Scots pine O₃ exposure did not have effects on quantity of total mycorrhizas and short roots, while higher nitrogen availability decreased quantity of mycorrhizas and short roots. In both tree species O₃ exposure induced O₃‐related ultrastructural symptoms, e.g. granulation and dark staining of the chloroplast stroma in the needle mesophyll cells, at both nitrogen availability levels. Ozone exposure and nitrogen availability did not have significant effects on starch concentrations in either tree species. Concentrations of some individual terpenes were higher in O₃‐exposed needles, while concentrations of individual and total resin acids, total phenolics and catechins were not affected by O₃ exposure. Nitrogen availability did not have substantial effects on concentrations of monoterpenes. By contrast, concentrations of some individual and total resin acids were lower in pine needles and higher in spruce needles with higher nitrogen availability, while phenolic concentration in spruce needles decreased at higher nitrogen availability. The results suggest that realistically elevated levels of O₃ in the field can have some negative effects on the mesophyll ultrastructure of conifer needles, but carbon allocation to root and shoot growth and secondary metabolites are not affected substantially.     

Effect of pine foliage damage on the incidence of larval diapause in the pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

The pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus (Walker) with a larval facultative diapause is one of the most destructive insect pests of the pine tree Pinus massoniana in China. The larvae feeding on pine trees with different damage levels were studied to determine the induction of diapause under both laboratory and field conditions. Developmental duration of larvae before the third instar was the longest when fed with 75%–90% damaged needles, followed by 25%–40% damaged needles and intact pine needles, whereas mortalities did not differ among different treatments under the conditions of 25° and critical photoperiod 13.5:10.5 L:D. At 25°, no diapause was induced under 15:9 L:D, whereas 100% diapause occurred under 12:12 L:D regardless of the levels of needle damage. Incidences of larvae entering diapause when they were fed with intact, 25%–40% and 75%–90% damaged pine needles were 51.7%, 70.8% and 81% under 13.5:10.5 L:D, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the field experiment. Incidence of diapause was significantly different among the pine needle damage levels of pine trees when the photoperiod was close to the critical day length, indicating that the effect of host plants on diapause induction was dependent on the range of photoperiod. The content of amino acid and sugar decreased and tannin increased in pine needles after feeding by the pine caterpillars, suggesting that changed levels of nutrients in damaged needles or a particular substance emitted by damaged pine trees was perhaps involved in the diapause induction of the pine caterpillar.     

Alterations of chemical composition,construction cost and payback time in needles of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) trees grown under pollution

Previous studies show that Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) stands grown at the industrially-polluted site have experienced unprecedented growth decline, but the causal mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, to understand the mechanisms of growth decline of Mason pine strands under pollution stresses, we determined the reactive oxygen species levels and chemical composition of the current-year (C) and one-year-old (C + 1) needles, and calculated the needle construction costs (CC_mass) of Masson pine trees grown at an industrially-polluted site and an unpolluted remote site. Pine trees grown at the polluted site had significantly higher levels of hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion in their needles than those grown at the unpolluted site, and the former trees eventually exhibited needle early senescence. The contents of lipids, soluble phenolics and lignins in C and C + 1 needles were significantly higher at the polluted site than at the unpolluted site, but the total amounts of non-construction carbohydrates were lower in non-polluted needles than in polluted needles. Elevated levels of the reactive oxygen species and early senescence in polluted needles together led to significant increases in CC_mass and a longer payback time. We infer that the lengthened payback time and needle early senescence under pollution stress may reduce the Masson pine tree growth and consequently accelerate tree decline.     

Effects of air pollutants on the wintertime water economy of the Scots pine Pinus silvestris

The changes effected by air-borne pollutants in the wintertime water economy of the Scots pine were investigated in industrial and urban environments in Oulu (65°N). Pine needles were found to undergo a wintertime water stress, which was more intense in the polluted area than in the less polluted environment. The water stress of the needles was found to be the more severe, the more pollutants had accumulated in the needles. In the needles of the trees growing in the polluted area, transpiration started shortly after they had been brought into laboratory even at midwinter, but the healthy trees were not equally sensitive in their response. When the weight loss of branches was observed in outdoor conditions, it was noted that the branches brought from the polluted area lost weight more rapidly than the branches of the healthy area. Air-borne pollutants hence constitute an obvious additional risk to the wintering of plants, particularly their water economy.     

Fate of lead in the soil and its effects onPinus halepensis

Summary Chemical analysis of samples of needles of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), humus and mineral soil collected in the vicinity of the Pb-smelter in Lavrion, Attica, showed that an area of about 2 km around the smelter is heavily polluted primarily with Pb and also with Zn, S and F^–. Most of the Pb was found accumulated in the humus and the top layer of the mineral soil.About 50% of the Pb found in the samples of Aleppo pine needles could be removed by washing them in a dilute detergent solution. One and 15% of the total Pb from Pb-polluted soil and humus samples, respectively, was extracted with normal ammonium acetate solution. No Pb or a very small amount was extracted with distilled H₂O from humus and soil samples treated with concentrations of Pb as high as 3000 ppm and incubated in the laboratory for 30 days.Humus samples treated with up to 1500 ppm Pb or Pb-polluted humus samples collected from points leeward of the smelter had no adverse effects on the germination of Aleppo pine seeds. When the germination experiment was conducted on Pb-polluted humus samples from points windward of the smelter, where a temporary pine needle death had been observed, the percentage seed germination, for two years, was found reduced and negatively correlated to the distance of the humus sampling point from the Pb-smelter.In nursery experiments Pb concentrations of up to 2000 ppm, added to a calcareous soil, had no adverse effect on height increase of Aleppo pine seedlings. Very little Pb was transported from the roots to the needles after seven months growth of the seedlings on either Pb-amended soil or on Pb-polluted soil from Lavrion. Concentrations of Pb in the roots of the seedlings, however, were found high in both cases and almost proportional to concentrations of Pb in the soil.     

Nitrogen fertilizer factory effects on the amino acid and nitrogen content in the needles of Scots pine

The aim of the research was to evaluate the content of amino acids in the needles of Pinus sylvestris growing in the area affected by a nitrogen fertilizer factory and to compare them with other parameters of needles, trees, and sites. Three young-age stands of Scots pine were selected at a distance of 0.5 km, 5 km, and 17 km from the factory. Examination of the current-year needles in winter of the year 2000 revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences between the site at a 0.5-km distance from the factory and the site at a 17-km distance from the factory--with the site closest to the factory showing the highest concentrations of protein (119%), total arginine (166%), total other amino acids (depending on amino acid, the effect ranged between 119 and 149%), free arginine (771%), other free amino acids (glutamic acid, threonine, serine, lysine--depending on amino acid, the effect ranged between 162 and 234%), also the longest needles, widest diameter, largest surface area, and heaviest dry weight (respectively, 133, 110, 136, and 169%). The gradient of nitrogen concentration in the needles was assessed on the selected plots over the period of 1995-2000, with the highest concentration (depending on year, 119 to 153%) documented in the site located 0.5 km from the factory. Significant correlations were determined between the total amino acid contents (r = 0.448 -0.939, p < 0.05), some free amino acid (arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, threonine, and serine) contents (r = 0.418 - 0.975, p < 0.05), and air pollutant concentration at the sites, the distance between the sites and the factory, and characteristics of the needles. No correlation was found between free or total arginine content and defoliation or retention of the needles. In conclusion, it was revealed that elevated mean monthly concentration of ammonia (26 microg m(-3)) near the nitrogen fertilizer factory caused changes in nitrogen metabolism, especially increasing (nearly eight times) concentration of free arginine in the needles of Scots pine.     

产毒与不产毒铜绿微囊藻对模拟酸雨及紫外辐射的生理响应

为了比较研究酸雨与紫外辐射对淡水水体常见藻华蓝藻的生理学影响,选取铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)产毒(FACHB-905)与不产毒(FACHB-469)株系作为实验材料,通过人工模拟酸雨,研究了不同p H处理后2藻株的光合生理变化以及对紫外辐射的敏感性的异同。实验设置3个p H梯度,p H7.10为对照组(正常培养基培养的藻体),两模拟酸雨处理组(p H5.65和p H4.50);两种辐射处理,可见光处理(PAR)以及全波长辐射处理(PAB)。研究结果表明,905藻株细胞粒径在各p H处理下都要显著高于469藻株,模拟酸雨处理显著降低了两藻株细胞的平均粒径及体积,但叶绿素含量显著提高;酸雨处理同时也引起细胞死亡率的增加,表现为藻体有效光化学效率显著降低,生长速率显著受到抑制,低p H下呈负增长,且这种抑制程度在469下更为显著。高的可见光以及紫外辐射处理,使两株系有效光化学效率随p H的降低而呈降低趋势,其中469藻株降低至更低的水平,且高光辐射以及紫外诱导的抑制率要显著高于905藻体,这可能与469藻株较低的光保护色素有关(较低的类胡萝卜素以及紫外吸收物质)。在未来全球变化背景下,不同种类的浮游植物对环境变化的响应及适应能力不同,可改变水体的群落结构和种群丰度,铜绿微囊藻905较469较强的耐受酸雨以及紫外辐射的能力,可能会使该株系在竞争力上占据优势。     

Seasonal changes in antioxidant level of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles exposed to industrial pollution. I. ascorbate and thiol content

Current and previous year needles from three 16 years-old populations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees were seasonally collected at the three experimental areas: Luboń- close to the phosphate fertiliser factory, Głogów — close to the copper foundry and Kórnik — control site. Głogów is the most polluted site, where at 1998 monthly mean daily concentrations of different pollutants were: SO₂ - 17 μg·m⁻³, NO_x - 12 μg·m⁻³ and dust containing heavy metals as Cu, Pb, Cd - 29 μg·m⁻³. Trees growing in Luboń were influenced for many years by high concentration of SO₂ and fluor compounds. A few years ago emissions were markedly reduced, but low pH of soil and high concentration of aluminium ions still influence the growth of trees. Seasonal changes of ascorbate and thiol content were observed in each needle class and population, with the maximum in the winter and minimum in the summer. In needles from trees growing on polluted sites higher level of ascorbic acid and thiols comparing to control site was observed. Significant differences appeared in each population of Scots pine growing under higher pollution stress in the Głogów site. In needles from trees growing in Luboń significant differences in ascorbic acid and thiols content were evidently less numerous. Needles from polluted sites in some seasons contained significantly more malondialdehyde (MDA) and those was more frequent in Głogów than in Luboń. The results indicated that in the Głogów site trees are more influenced by pollution stress than in Luboń and the defense reaction measured as an increase of the antioxidant level is more evident.     

Relationship of aluminium and calcium to net CO2 exchange among diverse Scots pine provenances under pollution stress in Poland

Light-saturated net photosynthesis (A_sat), dark respiration (RD), and foliar nutrient content of eight European Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) provenances were measured at experimental sites in western Poland. Two-year-old seedlings were planted in 1984 at two sites with similar soils in areas of contrasting air pollution. One site was near a point source of SO₂ and other pollutants, and another 12 km to the southeast in an area free of acute air pollution was treated as a control. The eight provenances were from a large north-tosouth latitudinal range (60 to 43° N). At the heavily polluted site Scots pine trees exhibited lower growth rates and crown dieback and deformation. Soil pH, Ca and Mg were at least 10 times lower, and Al 10 times higher at the polluted than the control site. In 1991, concentrations of Al, P, Ca, S, Mn, Fe, and Zn in oneyear old Scots pine foliage were higher and Mg lower at the polluted than control site. At both sites foliar Mg levels were within the range considered deficient (0.6 mg g^-1), and at the polluted site, Al concentrations were very high (670 to 880 g g^-1). In all provenances, RD of one-year-old needles was higher (by 22% on average) and A_sat was lower (by 37% on average) at the polluted than the control site. The ratio of A_sat: RD was half as great in all provenances at the polluted (4 to 6) than control site (8 to 11). Provenances of southern origin had greater increases in RD and water-use efficiency at the polluted site than other provenances. Within the polluted site alone, or across both sites, A_sat in Scots pine was negatively correlated to the Al: Ca ratio (p<0.001, r=–0.93). Across sites RD increased with needle N and Al (multiple regression, p<0.001). The data suggest that at the polluted site there is excessive soil Al and deficient Mg availability, low needle Mg and high Al concentrations and high Al: Ca ratios, and that these have resulted in reduced photosynthetic capacity and increased respiration.     

Pine needles and pollen grains of Pinus mugo Turra – A biomonitoring tool in high mountain habitats identifying environmental contamination

Pinus mugo Turra is a typical pine tree from mountain habitats. It is ideal as a bioindicator for air quality monitoring, but, to the best of our knowledge, has never been implemented to determine organic compound concentrations. This study presents the initial methodology for the use of pine needles to measure contamination levels and evaluate genotoxicity potentials caused by long-range transport of pollutants at sites in the Slovak mountains in comparison to an industrial urban area. Pinus mugo needles have many positive attributes, particularly the five-year lifetime of needles compared with other species of pine. The presence of epicuticular wax on the surface of needles allows accumulation of lipophilic organic compounds. Pine needles were analyzed for POP compounds (PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs), PAHs, PFCs and lead. A pollen grain abortion assay with Pinus mugo species was also tested as a method to identify contamination of high mountain habitats. The concentration of organic compounds increased proportionally with needle age. Concentrations along the mountain transect were heavily influenced by atmospheric transport and proximity to potential sources of contamination from industry and residential areas from north and south of the mountain. The slope exposure direction had a large impact on concentrations of PBDEs (mainly for BDE 209). High concentrations of PFCs were discovered near a ski resort, where the use of these substances is high due to fluorinated ski waxes and personal outdoor clothing. A positive correlation between pollen grain abortivity and elevation was observed, with the strongest effect on pollutants at the top of the mountains. The results showed the highest genotoxicity at the site near a pulp mill (Zilina), where the frequency of abortive pollen grains was 3.1 times higher than at the control site. Lead content increased gradually with needle age, and a correlation was found between Pb levels in needles and pollen abortivity. It can be concluded that Pinus mugo is a suitable bioindicator species for assessment of long-term trends of atmospheric contamination in high mountain habitats.     

The uptake of and structural changes induced by trichloroacetic acid in the needles of Scots pine seedlings

The uptake of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and structural changesinduced in the needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlingswere studied. Two exposure set-ups, a root route and an atmosphericroute through the surfaces simulating the wet deposition offog, were used. Both set-ups included two dose levels and correspondingcontrol treatments. The temperature and the relative humidityin the climate chambers were adjusted to represent the conditionsof June–July in a subarctic area in central Finland. Theseedlings were exposed three times a week for two months. Theresults showed that the uptake of TCA in needles occurred bothvia roots and via needle surface. However, most of the TCA viathe atmospheric route was absorbed on the surface of the needles.The structural responses in pine needles depended partly onthe treatment method: TCA applied via the atmospheric routedisintegrated the structures of the epicuticular waxes and thatof the stomatal cells, which was not seen in the exposures viaroots. A common feature was the decrease in size of the chloroplastsin concert with the increasing TCA concentrations inside theneedles. Key words: Pinus sylvestris L., climate chamber, effects, microscopic structure, secondary pollutant, TCA, trichloroacetic acid     

Stand characteristics of ozone-stressed populations of Pinus jeffreyi (Pinaceae): extent,development, and physiological consequences of visible injury

The development and physiological consequences of ozone-induced visible injury was investigated in native populations of Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) that were exposed to chronic levels of anthropogenic ozone. Stand structure analyses demonstrated that the expression of visible ozone injury symptoms within self-regenerating populations of Jeffrey pine was highly variable. Of the 975 trees surveyed, 90% exhibited some degree of visible injury and 10% were classified as resistant to ozone. Needles of the most sensitive trees developed a chlorotic mottle characteristic of ozone injury 1 year after their initiation and prematurely abscised in their third year (normal needle retention is 5–6 years). Average needle retention was not different between diameter size categories but was the most variable within the smallest size category and the least variable in the largest size category. Gas exchange measurements indicated a negative correlation between photosynthetic rate and needle surface area covered by chlorotic mottle. Chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics of the current-year needles did not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic trees but did differ between the oldest needles, suggesting an uncontrolled physiological decline in needles about to abscise in sensitive trees. The high degree of variability of ozone-induced visible injury coupled with the reduction of physiological capacity associated with visible injury suggest that mixed conifer forests growing in polluted regions could potentially undergo shifts in community structure if sensitive Jeffrey pine individuals were to experience differential mortality as a result of ozone exposure. Intraspecific variation in ozone sensitivity may potentially lead to increased population tolerance to oxidative air pollutants, but long-term population analyses will be required to address genetic changes in response to ozone stress.