Response mechanisms of conifers to air pollutants
Conifers are known to respond to SO{sub 2}, O{sub 3}, NO{sub x} and acid deposition. Of these pollutants, O{sub 3} is likely the most widespread and phytotoxic compound, and therefore of great interest to individuals concerned with forest resources Direct biological responses have a toxicological effects on metabolism which can then scale to effects on tree growth and forest ecology, including processes of competition and succession. Air pollution can cause reductions in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, which are the physiological parameters most rigorously studied for conifers. Some effects air pollutants can have on plants are influenced by the presence of co-occurring environmental stresses. For example, drought usually reduces vulnerability of plants to air pollution. In addition, air pollution sensitivity may differ among species and with plant/leaf age. Plants may make short-term physiological adjustments to compensate for air pollution or may evolve resistance to air pollution through the processes of selection. Models are necessary to understand how physiological processes, growth processes, and ecological processes are affected by air pollutants. The process of defining the ecological risk that air pollutants pose for coniferous forests requires approaches that exploit existing databases, environmental monitoring of air pollutants and forest resources, experiments with well-defined air pollution treatments and environmental control/monitoring, modeling, predicting air pollution-caused changes in productivity and ecological processes over time and space, and integration of social values.
- Research Organization:
- Wyoming Univ., Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Botany
- OSTI ID:
- 62356
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/61253-1-Vol.1; CONF-9109550-Vol.1; TRN: 95:004108-0009
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Workshop on physiological ecology of coniferous forests, Laramie, WY (United States), 16-19 Sep 1991; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Ecophysiology of coniferous forests; Smith, W.K. [ed.] [Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Botany]; Hinckley, T.M. [ed.] [Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States). Coll. of Forest Resources]; PB: 351 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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