Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The variation of tree-ring widths of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) affected by air pollution

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Forest Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using eight populations of Scots pine growing in foothills of the Sudetes (southern Poland) as an example, the character and causes of annual ring variation in 1900–1999 were studied. The climate had a short-term effect on radial growth during the whole period investigated. A long-term decrease of radial growth occurred after 1960, but only in some localities. It was probably caused by non-climatic factors, most likely by industrial pollution. The decline of trees during that period is mainly evidenced by a high variation of width of annual rings, a small similarity of chronologies of annual ring widths, and a lack of signal years. After 1990, the tree recovery process was evident. It was most intensive in localities where the earlier stress was the most severe. Then, trees started to produce wide annual rings, homogeneity of the growth reaction increased, and the signal years began to occur.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alcamo (1987) Future sulfur deposition scenarios in forested areas of Europe. In: Kairiukstis L, Nilsson S, Straszak A (eds) Forest decline and reproduction: regional and global consequences, Proceedings of the workshop held in Krakow, Poland, 23–27 March 1987, IIASA, Laxenburg Austria, pp 33–43

  • Cook ER, Holmes RL (1986) Users manual for program ARSTAN. In: Holmes RL, Adams RK, Fritts HC (eds) Tree-ring chronologies of Western North America: California, Eastern Oregon and Northern Great Basin, Chronology Series 6, University of Arizona, Tucson, pp 50–65

  • Eckstein D, Bauch J (1969) Ein Beitrag zur Rationalisierung eines dendrochronologischen Verfahrens und zur Analyse seiner Aussagesicherheit. Forstw Cbl 88(4):230–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckstein D, Saß U (1989) Dendroecological assessment of decline and recovery of fir and spruce in the Bavarian Forest. In: Bucher JB, Bucher-Wallin I (eds) Air pollution and forest decline, Proceedings of the 14th international meeting for Specialists in Air Pollution Effects on Forest Ecosystems, IUFRO, Interlaken, 2–8 October 1988, pp 255–260

  • Eckstein D, Aniol RW, Bauch J (1983) Dendroklimatologische Untersuchungen zum Tannensterben. Eur J For Path 13:279–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckstein D, Richter K, Aniol RW, Quiehl F (1984) Dendroklimatologische Untersuchungen zum Buchensterben im südwestlichen Vogelsberg. Forstw Cbl 103:274–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ermich K, Rutkowski B, Bednarz Z, Feliksik E (1976) The degree of similarity of dendrochronological curves as an indicator of site conditions. Tree-Ring Bull 36:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Feliksik E, Wilczyński S (2003) Tree-rings as indicators of environmental change. EJPAU 6, 2, ser Forestry

  • Filipiak M, Ufnalski K (2002). Industrial pollution level and the increment of European silver fir in the Sudety Mountains. In: Siwecki R (ed) Biological reactions of trees of industrial pollution. Inst Dendrologii PAN, Kórnik, pp 513–520

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritts HC (1976) Tree-rings and climate. Academic, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Galiński W, Witowski J (1995) Oszacowanie emisji węgla spowodowanej przez zamieranie lasu wywołane gradacją owadów—nowy aspekt klęski ekologicznej w Sudetach. Prace IBL Ser B 25:37–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Guttmeyer M (2002) Construction and operation history of the Turów Power Station. Energetyka 8:497–502

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes RL (1986) Quality control of crossdating and measuring. Users manual for computer program COFECHA. In: Holmes RL, Adams RK, Fritts HC (eds) Tree-rings chronologies of western North America: California, eastern Oregon and northern Great Basin, Chronology Series 6, University of Arizona, Tucson, pp 41–49

  • Huber B (1943) Über die Sicherheit jahringchronologischer Datierung. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff 6, B 10/12:263–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Juda J, Budzyński K, Jędrzejewski J, Juda-Rezber K, Abert K (1995) Stan zanieczyszczenia powietrza w Polsce w roku 19990 i prognoza na rok 2000. In: Kozłowski S (ed) Prognoza ostrzegawcza zmian środowiskowych warunków życia człowieka w Polsce na początku XXI wieku, Zesz Nauk PAN 10, pp 49–80

  • Juknys R, Stravinskiene V, Vencloviene J (2002) Tree-ring analysis for the assessment of anthropogenic changes and rends. Environ Monit Assess 77:81–97

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kairiukstis L, Grigaliunas J, Skuodiene L, Stravinskiene V (1987) Physiological and dendrochronological indications of forest decline and their application for monitoring. In: Kairiukstis L, Nilsson S, Straszak A (eds) Forest decline and reproduction: regional and global consequences, Proceedings of the workshop held in Krakow, Poland, 23–27 March 1987, IIASA, Laxenburg Austria, pp 151–167

  • Kelly PM, Murno MAR, Hughes MK, Goodess CM (1989) Climate and signature years in west European oaks. Nature 340:57–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kicińska B, Miczyński J (2001) Air pollution by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. In: Koźmiński C, Michalska B (eds) Atlas of climatic risk to crop cultivation in Poland, University of Agriculture in Szczecin, p 8

  • Koźmiński C, Michalska B, Nidzgorska-Lencewicz J (2001) Wind directions and velocities. In: Koźmiński C, Michalska B (eds) Atlas of climatic risk to crop cultivation in Poland, University of Agriculture in Szczecin, p 25

  • Krąpiec M, Szychowska-Krąpiec E (2001) Tree-ring estimation of the effect of industrial pollution on pine (Pinus sylvestris) and fir (Abies alba) in the Ojców National Park (southern Poland). Nat Conserv 58:33–42

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin SB (1985) Effects of air pollution on forests. JAPA 35(5):512–534

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miś R, Rączka G (2002) Effect of long-term industrial pollution on the increase in height of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). In: Siwecki R (ed) Biological reactions of trees of industrial pollution, Inst Dendrologii PAN, Kórnik, pp 431–440

    Google Scholar 

  • Molski B (1987) Fir and pine phloem and wood growth retardation due to air pollution. In: Kairiukstis L, Nilsson S, Straszak A (eds) Forest decline and reproduction: regional and global consequences, Proceedings of the workshop held in Krakow, Poland, 23–27 March 1987, IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria, pp 115–122

  • Mooi J (1976) Verslag van onderzoek naar de invloed van langdurende. Künstmatige begassingen gedurende de jaren 1973–1974–1975. IPO Report 157:1–43

  • Oleksyn J, Fritts HC, Hughes MK (1993) Tree-ring analysis of different Pinus sylvestris provenances, Quercus robur, Larix decidua and L. decidua x L. kaempferi affected by air pollution. Arbor Kórnickie 38:89–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Oleksyn J, Prus-Głowacki W, Giertych M, Reich PB (1994). Relation between genetic diversity and pollution impact in a 1912 experiment with East European Pinus sylvestris provenances. Can J For Res 24:2390–2394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pollanschütz J (1987) Effects of air pollutants on forest growth. In: Kairiukstis L, Nilsson S, Straszak A (eds) Forest decline and reproduction: regional and global consequences. Proceedings of the workshop held in Krakow, Poland, 23–27 March 1987, IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria, pp 125–128

  • Pollanschütz J (1986) Zuwachsdepressionen bei Einzelbäumen in immissionsbelasteten Beständen. Proc 18, IUFRO World Congress, Div 4:1–8

  • Pretzsch H, Kölbel M (1988) Einfluß von Grundwasserabsenkungen auf das Wuchsverhalten der Kiefernbestände im Gebiet des Nürnberger Hafens. Ergebnisse ertragskundlicher Untersuchungen auf der Weiserflächenreihe Nürnberg 317. Forstarchiv Sonderdruck 59 H3:89–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Przybylski T (1994) The danger to spruce existence in Sudety Mts. due to environmental pollution. Prace IBL Ser B 21:185–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmid-Hass P (1989) Der Nachweis der Ursache des Tannensterbens an einem Beispiel. Forstw Cbl 108:244–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulze ED, Lange OL, Oren R (1989) Air pollution and forest decline: a study of spruce (Picea abies) on acid soils. Ecological Studies, vol 77. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York

  • Schweingruber FH, Wehrli U, Allen-Rumo K, Allen M (1991) Weiserjahre als Zeiger extremer Standortseinflüsse. Schweiz Z Forstwes 142(1):33–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Spain J, Pilcher JR (1994) Signature years in European oak chronologies A.D. 1600–1750 and possible climatic causes. In: Frenzel B (ed) Climatic trends and anomalies in Europe 1675–1715, Paleoclimate Res 13:123–131

  • Spiecker H (1999) Overview of recent growth trends in European forest. Water, Air, Soil Pollut 116:33–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spiecker H (2002) Tree rings and forest management in Europe. Dendrochronologia 20/2–1:191–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swedish Ministry of Agriculture (1982) Acidification today and tomorrow. Risbergs Tryckeri AB, Uddevala, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  • Trampler T, Smykała J (1988) Raport w sprawie uszkodzenia i obumierania lasów w Sudetach. IBL, Warszawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilczyński S, Skrzyszewski J (2002) The climatic signal in tree-rings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from foot-hills of the Sudetic Mountains (southern Poland). Forstw Cbl 121:15–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wójcik R, Buczkowski R (2002) Spatial analysis of the distribution of tree stand damage caused by industry in the Świerklaniec Forest Division. In: Siwecki R (ed) Biological reactions of trees of industrial pollution, Inst Dendrologii PAN, pp 457–466

  • Zawada J (2001) Incremental symptoms in revitalization of Silver fir in the forests of Carpathian and Sudeten Mts. and their silvicultural consequences. Prac Inst Bad Leś ser A, 3:79–101

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The investigations were supported by the Polish State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN) under grant No. 5PO6H10914 from 1998–2001. Warm thanks to Dr. Barry Brook (School for Environmental Research, Charles Darwin University) for revising the English language of the manuscript. I thank Dr. J. Skrzyszewski for tree-ring data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Protection and Forest Climatology, Agricultural University of Cracow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425, Kraków, Poland

    Sławomir Wilczyński

Authors
  1. Sławomir Wilczyński
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sławomir Wilczyński.

Additional information

Communicated by Hans Pretzsch

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wilczyński, S. The variation of tree-ring widths of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) affected by air pollution. Eur J Forest Res 125, 213–219 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0106-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0106-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation