Air Pollution Impacts on Forest Trees and Biological Aspects of the Environment Optimization in Belarus

This paper discusses the effect of air pollution on forest trees and biological aspects of the environment optimization in Belarus. Data on gas-tolerance and air pollution accumulation capabilities of some trees species are presented. Some recommendations for creating green plantations in areas with air pollution by SO₂, H₂S, CS₂, NO₂, NH₃ are given. This study indicated that vegetation in Belarus is greatly endangered by sulfurous and nitrogenous air pollutants. Sulfur accumulation in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles from 0.11 to 0.17% negatively impacts on fundamental physiological processes, primery photosynthetical reactions, pigment and protein pools concentrations, chemical elements N : S : P ratios. These changes are factors inthe forest ecosystems destabilization in Belarus.