Coniferous plants root system formation in plantations of Izhevsk (Udmurt Republic)

Abstract

A study of the root systems of tree species, their distribution in soil in horizontal and vertical directions, expressed by quantitative and qualitative indicators in the form of architectonics, underground phytomass, volume, surface, area and root saturation, answers many questions regarding the growth and development of tree plants. The growth conditions and species characteristics of plants have a significant effect on the formation of the root system.The studies were carried out in the large industrial center of the Ural region of Izhevsk in plantations of various environmental categories, i.e. plantings of the residential zone and plantings along the highways. As a zone of conditional control, a city park of landscape type named after S.M. Kirov. The objects of the study were coniferous species: the representative of the local flora such as European spruce (Pícea ábies L.) and the introduced species — Blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.), prevailing among the coniferous species used in the city’s landscaping. In the course of the research, the peculiarities of P. pungens and P. ábies in the formation of the root system in an anthropogenic environment were revealed, manifested in a change in the root saturation index of the meter soil layer, the length of the roots, the ratio of root fractions and their distribution in soil horizons. The total root saturation of a meter layer of soil is higher in P. pungens, but under the conditions of the highest technogenic load in the mainline stands, this indicator is higher in P. ábies. In park plantings in both species, the maximum root saturation was noted in the first soil horizon, while the anthropogenic load in P. ábies increased in the second horizon, and in P. pungens in the third soil horizon. The proportion of different root fractions also changes. P. pungens increases the proportion of semi-skeletal roots, P. ábies increses skeletally, and in conditions of high anthropogenic load it makes half-skeleton and suction roots.

Indicators of adaptability of representatives of the genus Acer in an urban environment

“…It is shown that there is a close dependence of ascorbic acids (АА) accumulation with the water status of plants and the SSD of the leaf, moreover, the direction of the correlation is reversed (Table 2). A number of scientists have noted a tendency to increase the synthesis of ascorbic acid in plants in an anthropogenic environment [22,28]. We have shown that the involvement of AA in protective reactions is genetically determined (Fig.…”

“…Adaptation to the conditions of the urban environment requires changes in the physiological and biochemical characteristics of plants as a mechanism of adaptive reactions to anthropogenic stresses [19]. One of the active agents that worsen the condition of plants in the city is atmospheric air pollution, which causes oppression of the leaf apparatus, due to blockage of stomata, and a decrease in photosynthetic ability [20][21][22].…”

“…The pigment apparatus is the most sensitive, however, according to various sources (Fig. 1), both an increase in the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids can be observed in species [22,23], and a decrease in their concentration [22,[24][25][26]. We have shown that all five maple species in the urban environment had a significant increase in the total fund of green and yellow pigments compared to the background (botanical garden) by 1.2 -2.4 times (Table 1).…”

Carbon Sequestration Dynamics in Urban-Adjacent Forests: A 50-Year Analysis

“…Nowadays, a major issue in the development of large cities is air pollution from both stationary (industrial enterprises) and mobile (vehicles) sources [1]. Plantations near urban areas largely influence air quality [2]. These forests play a major role in absorbing CO2 compounds produced by both vehicles and industrial activities.…”

Study of Lawn Vegetation under the Influence of Mining and Processing Enterprise Activity in the Climatic Conditions of the Arctic Zone

“…Sustainable development of the country, high quality of life, and health of the residents can be achieved only if natural systems are preserved, and the appropriate quality of the environment is maintained. One of the conditions for achieving sustainable development goals is to build a comfortable urban environment, where a significant role should be played by green areas [1].…”