Living status and element composition of the Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb. needle at different conditions of growth in Western Sayan

A complex assessment of different elevation dark-forest stands of northern, super wet macro slope of Western Sayan was accomplished. Research was conducted during thirteen years (2001–2013) in low mountains (450 m a.s.l.), middle mountains (700–800 m a.s.l.), and high mountains (1450 m a.s.l.). The biocenoses were defined as damaged. The significant differences in the life status of stands are revealed in different elevations. The life status index is varied from 36.4 (in the middle mountains, temperately warm conditions) till 92.0 (in the low mountains, temperately cold conditions). The Siberian pine (Pines sibirica Du Tour.) haven’t signs of damage, fir trees are drying according to species specific “under the top” type. The biometric signs (increment and needle parameters) of fir shoots of female and male shoots and vegetative shoots are differed. In whole, there are decreases in the middle mountains and high mountains ecosystems. At the same time needle damage (chlorosis and necrosis, in percent) is increased. The element content of needle is changed. In the stands with the low index in the fir needles accumulated potassium, lead, cadmium, and the zinc content decreased. The changes of element content lead to changes correlations in biophillic and technogenic elements Mn/S, Fe/Mn, F/Ca in high mountains (in 2.2–3.6 times) and in middle mountains strongly damaged (in 1.4–3.7 times) stands. It was suggested, that changes in element composition of Siberian fir needle are shown air pollution in the region.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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