The recovery of damaged pine forests in an area formerly polluted by nitrogen

ScientificWorldJournal. 2001 Dec 8:1 Suppl 2:384-93. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2001.451.

Abstract

An area in Lithuania containing coniferous stands of Scots pine and Norway spruce that were dead or damaged due to nitrogen pollution by a nitrogen fertilizer plant (JV Achema) was found to have expanded between 1974 and 1989 to a distance of 20 to 25 km northeast of the plant in the direction of prevailing winds. Over the last 10 years, when nitrogen pollution by the plant had decreased, a clear process of recovery of the damaged ecosystems could be observed. The following features of this process as it occurred in damaged Scots pine stands are discussed: (1) refoliation (or decreased defoliation) of damaged trees, where a clear positive trend could be observed; (2) changes in the species composition and in the covering by ground vegetation, where small changes and indication of less-nitrophilous species coverage could be detected; and (3) chemical and acidity changes in Luvisols and Arenosols, where a significant decrease could be seen especially concerning nitrate concentrations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Air Pollutants / metabolism
  • Air Pollutants / pharmacology
  • Ecosystem
  • Lithuania
  • Nitrogen Compounds / analysis*
  • Nitrogen Compounds / metabolism
  • Nitrogen Compounds / pharmacology
  • Pinus / drug effects
  • Pinus / growth & development*
  • Plants / metabolism
  • Soil / analysis
  • Sulfur Dioxide / analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Trees*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Nitrogen Compounds
  • Soil
  • Sulfur Dioxide