STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SCOTS PINE NEEDLES IN TECHNOGENICALLY DISTURBED COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH OF KRASNOYARSK KRAI
S. O. Stepanidenko1,2, N. V. Stepanov2
1Krasnoyarsk Science Centre of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, V. N. Sukachev Institute of Forest, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
2Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Keywords: Pinus sylvestris L, needles, morphological and anatomical characteristics, environmental factors
Abstract
Forests are complex biological systems that constantly interact with the atmosphere and are influenced by man-made pollutants. This article examines anthropogenic emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere from stationary sources, such as large factories, thermal power plants, and others. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) undergrowth needles were studied in stands both growing under minimal anthropogenic impact and under the influence of man-made emissions. To study the impact of atmospheric pollution, two sites were selected in Krasnoyarsk (Akademgorodok and Tatyshev Island), one site in the Berezovsky District (Devil’s Finger Rock), and two sites in the Western Sayan Mountains (Medovy Klyuch Stream and Titenkino tract). To maximize the information content, undergrowth up to 2.5 m in height was selected. Data on atmospheric pollution at the selected sites were obtained from the State Report «On the State and Protection of the Environment in Krasnoyarsk Krai in 2023». The morphological and anatomical features of Scots pine needles were studied: needle length, width, and thickness, the width and thickness of the central cylinder, the size of the vascular bundles, and the number and size of resin ducts. Variable and stable features of the internal structure of the needles were identified. The most variable features were needle length, needle thickness, and the number of resin ducts. The most stable features were needle width, the size of the central cylinder, the width of the vascular bundles, and the average diameter of the resin duct. It was shown that under anthropogenic load, needles have a smaller length and width, as well as a smaller number of resin ducts. It has been established that much data regarding the morphology of needles exposed to various influences remains controversial and requires further research. The obtained results demonstrate the high sensitivity of needle morphological traits to environmental changes and once again highlight the potential for using these parameters as indicators of the ecological state of forest ecosystems. The research findings may be useful for monitoring forest health and developing conservation measures under anthropogenic, including recreational, influences.
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