Air pollution effects on forest growth and succession: applications of a mathematical model

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6829526

McLaughlin, S. B.; West, D. C.; Shugart, H. H.; Shriner, D. S.

The information presented in this paper is directed towards plant scientists interested in determining the effects of air pollution stress on forest ecosystems. A mathematical model (FORET) designed to examine the successional dynamics of eastern deciduous forests has been used to study the long-term interactions of air pollution stress and forest community dynamics. Differential levels of growth reduction (0%, 10%, and 20%) were applied to trees in three sensitivity classes to simulate changes in biomass of both individual trees and of the forest stand. Results indicate that the response of individual trees in a forest stand may differ markedly from results predicted on the basis of responses determined in the absence of plant competition. Some species may show growth enhancement in spite of pollutant stress since they may gain a competitive advantage as a result of greater impacts on other species with which they interact in the successional process. Other species may experience much greater than anticipated impacts due to reduced competitive potential. We suggest that simulation models can provide a useful function in integrating the results of past research and by permitting projections thereof to extend our understanding of both the nature and extent of air pollution impacts on forest ecosystems.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6829526
• Report Number(s): CONF-780636-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
BIOMASS
COMPUTER CODES
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
F CODES
FORESTS
GROWTH
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POPULATION DYNAMICS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SIMULATION
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TREES