Complex imprint of air pollution in the basal area increments of three European tree species

作者：Filip Oulehle, Tomáš Kolář, Michal Rybníček, Jakub Hruška, Ulf Büntgen, Miroslav Trnka · 发表于：The Science of The Total Environment · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175858 · 被引用次数：8 · 研究领域：Tree-ring climate responses、Plant responses to elevated CO2、Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics

The impact of atmospheric pollution on the growth of European forest tree species, particularly European beech, Silver fir and Norway spruce, is examined in five mesic forests in the Czech Republic. Analyzing of basal area increment (BAI) patterns using linear mixed effect models reveals a complex interplay between atmospheric nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) deposition, climatic variables and changing CO 2 concentrations. Beech BAI responds positively to N deposition (in tandem with air CO 2 concentration), with soil phosphorus (P) availability emerging as a significant factor influencing overall growth rates. Fir BAI, on the other hand, was particularly negatively influenced by S deposition, although recent growth acceleration suggests growth resilience in post-pollution period. This fir growth surge likely coincides with stimulation of P acquisition following the decline of acidic pollution. The consequence is the current highest productivity among the studied tree species. The growth dynamics of both conifers were closely linked to the stoichiometric imbalance of phosphorus in needles, indicating the possible sensitivity of exogenous controls on nutrient uptake. Furthermore, spruce BAI was positively linked to calcium availability across sites. Despite enhanced water-use efficiency under elevated CO 2 , spruce growth is constrained by precipitation deficit and demonstrates weakening resilience to increasing growing season air temperatures. Overall, these findings underscore t...