Phenolic Compounds as a Tool of Bioindication for Novel Forest Decline at Numerous Spruce Tree Sites in Germany

Abstract

Within a project that applied biochemical criteria to the diagnosis of damage to Norway spruce, 43 sites in western and eastern Germany showing only moderate tree damage were screened for the amounts of methanol soluble phenolic compounds in spruce needles. The concentrations of most of the main compounds -especially catechin -positively correlated with needle loss and the altitude of the site. It was also found that it is necessary to differenti ate between trees younger and older than 60 years of age. The correlations between the increase of the phenolic compounds studied and the needle loss or the damage class are stronger in the younger trees, possibly implicating differences in metabolic state or distur bances in protectective mechanisms in the older trees.

Biochemical Parameters as Biomarkers for the Early Recognition of Environmental Pollution in Scots Pine Trees. I. Phenolic Compounds

“…In addition it could also be concluded that the defence mechanism only takes effect after long pollutant exposure and corre spondingly severe damage. A positive correlation between the catechin level and the degree of dam age was also observed by Richter et al (1996) tions demonstrate that no correlation exists be tween the catechin level and damage symptoms in young pines ( 2 0 -2 5 yr). Tip necroses are plain in the second needle age class at the test site in Rösa.…”