Application of Fungal Metabolites for Evaluation of Pine Stand Vigor in Conditions of Industrial Pollution

Abstract

Two methods for evaluation of pine stand vigor were tested on permanent sample plots near Krasnoyarsk City: visual evaluation and exposure to fungal metabolites. In the first case, forest vigor was estimated using the six-point system of the Sanitary Regulations of the Russian Federation as the mean score for 200 trees on the sample plots. In the second case, the vigor was evaluated from the size of the necrotic spot on inner bark of the tree after inoculation of 22-25 randomly chosen pines with the extract of fungus Ceratocystis laricicola Redfern and Minter. The necrotic spot size was significantly larger in pines from polluted forest as compared to background one. This points to the decrease in infection protection of trees affected by pollution, although visual evaluation of the stand vigor could not distinguish the polluted and background stands.

Pine Stands as Bioindicators: Justification for Air Toxicity Monitoring in an Industrial Metropolis

“…In contrast to 'A', the 'B' pine stand is located at the opposite side of the metropolis. A higher degree of anthropogenic pollution in forest area 'A', as compared to 'B', was reported in 2002 when the SPs were established [16]. The result was confirmed by the data of the ground and space sensing of the snow cover.…”

“…Two pine stands, 'A' and 'B', were chosen. Five permanent sample plots (SPs) were established in the pine stands in accordance with the Directions for Forest Management [14] and Forest Regulations [15]: SPs 1-4 in 2002, and SP 5 in 2005 [16]. An individual number was assigned to each tree in the SPs (Figure 1).…”

“…While selecting plots for the SPs, special attention was paid to the similarity of tree stands in terms of age, composition, stock, and other inventory parameters [16] ( All SPs are situated approximately at the same distance from the city margins (about 7 km). SPs 1, 2, and 5 were established in pine stand 'A' (56 • 02 25" N, 93 • 08 54" E, 160 m above sea level), while SPs 3-4 were in pine forest 'B' (56 • 01 55" N, 92 • 40 52" E, 270 m above sea level).…”

“…While selecting plots for the SPs, special attention was paid to the similarity of tree stands in terms of age, composition, stock, and other inventory parameters [16] (Table 1). 1 Degree of density, the ratio of the actual basal area at 1.3 m to the standard one (the latter was taken from the tables of the basal area and the volume of normal growing stock for pine [18]).…”

“…Modeling and annual data updates had been performed using a database developed in the MS Access application [16]. The database accumulated annual observations and provided equations describing the relationship of different parameters: diameter and annual increment in diameter, vigor state category and annual increment in height and diameter, and height and age, etc.…”