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Growth response and drought susceptibility of red spruce seedlings exposed to simulated acidic rain and ozone

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6946903
; ;  [1]
  1. Virgina Polytechnic Institute and State Univ. Blackburg VA (US)

Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) is a long-lived, shade-tolerant tree that is commonly present in the cool, moist climates at high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains. Recently, an accelerated decline of red spruce has been reported in the northern Appalachians in the Green Mountains on Camels Hump, Vermont and on Whiteface Mountain in New York as well as in the mid and southern Appalachians. Even though many possible causes of this decline have been suggested, none have been established conclusively at present. High acid inputs and elevated concentrations of heavy metals, in addition to ozone stress, have been strongly suspected as contributing factors for the decline. The objectives of this research is to investigate the efforts of simulated acidic rain and ozone on growth and drought susceptibility of red spruce seedlings by measuring biomass, foliar nutrient status, root hydraulic conductivity, and gas exchange rates.

OSTI ID:
6946903
Report Number(s):
CONF-880679--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English