The Response of Coniferous Trees to Industrial Pollution in North-Western Russia

The response of two dominant coniferous species (Picea obovata Ledeb. and Pinus sylvestris L.) of east- European taiga to industrial pollution in the impact zone of the Severonickel metallurgical combine (Murmansk Region, Kola Peninsula) was investigated. The water deficit of the needles and shoots described by shoot water potential () was used as indicator of the pollution level in the area. The vitality status of the trees was assessed by visual traits (crown shape, life span and degree of needle damage). It was shown that industrial pollution results in injuring the spruce and pine trees, damaging their conducting system and increasing the water deficit of the needles. Correlation between the visually determined health status of the trees (including needle yellowing and die-back) and their water deficit was higher for spruce than for pine trees. High sensitivity of spruce trees to air pollution may be used in forest ecology for e.g. remote detecting the forest areas with high levels of industrial pollution.