Comparative Analysis of a Morphological and Anatomical Structure of Annual Layers of the Scots Pine in Moss-Covered and Bracken Forests

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that life form of any plant is determined by its genetic characteristics. However, depending on the conditions of natural habitat, there are certain variations of not only external specific features of the same plants, but also of their anatomic organization. The article provides the results of the cell structure examinations of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in moss-covered (Pinetum pleurozium) and bracken (Pinetum pleurozium) forests. Ten temporary experimental sites for each type of forest were set according to methods used in forest sciences and forest taxation. Taking into account the structure of annual layers of conifers, the study determined the quantitative parameters of radial growth and the main size indicators of early and late tracheids. It is revealed that the width of an annual layer and the quantity of tracheids in a radial row belong to the most changeable parameters, while tangential dimensions of tracheids belong to the least changeable parameters. In general, the analyses of obtained data from 18 dimensional characteristics showed that moss-covered pine forest is characterized by the greater value of a radial diameter of early tracheids (6 %) and their cavities (3 %), as well as greater cavity areas (3 %); a bracken pine forest, in turn, has a greater width of latewood in an annual layer (16 %) and thickness of a cell wall of late tracheids (10 %). Therefore, it is recommended to measure only these specific parameters to reduce the time spent on conducting researches in future. The cluster analysis confirmed that the morphological and anatomical characteristics are effective indicators to define the forest type.