Field studies on Norway spruce trees at high altitudes

Abstract

SUMMARYThe present study was performed on mature Norway spruce trees {Picea abies L.) with needle losses in the range of 25-35 %. The trees were growing at three altitudes (870, 1270, and 1700 m above sea level) in a mountain forest in the Calcareous Alps of Bavaria. The objectives were to assess the role of climate and pollution in addition to nutrient disorders for damage to spruce trees. During the growing season the average temperature was up to 5 °C lower and the average ozone concentration was about twofold higher at the high altitude in comparison to the low altitude (13 and 18 °C, and 60 and 35 nl T^ ozone, respectively); the average NO^ and SO^ concentrations did not exceed 5 nl 1"^ Foliar analysis of pollutants did not indicate critical levels of Pb, Cd, Cl, F and S. Biometrical parameters, foliar element composition, pigment and protein content of the needles were determined during four seasons. Average dry:fresh weight ratios, specific needle weights, projected needle areas, soluble protein and carotenoid contents were similar within the 20 % range for needles from all three altitudes. Foliar analysis of nutrients indicated a low nutrient status especially for nitrogen, and showed a phosphorus deficiency in needles from the three sites. The chlorophyll content of the needles decreased with increasing altitude. Since nutrient imbalances were greatest in needles from the lowest site, it was concluded that the greater damage to spruce trees and lower chlorophyll content of the needles at altitudes > 1000 m above sea level were not caused by nutrient disorders.

Plantas medicinais: fatores de influência no conteúdo de metabólitos secundários

“…A correlação positiva geralmente existente entre o conteúdo total de flavonóides e a altitude, por ex., é de particular interesse farmacêutico, uma vez que estes são constituintes ativos de um grande número de plantas medicinais 16,[144][145][146] . Esta correlação pode ser explicada pela maior susceptibilidade à radiação UV em altitudes maiores, uma vez que, conforme comentado anteriormente, os flavonóides são reconhecidos por propiciarem proteção à radiação e seus efeitos.…”

Inhibition of Apoplastic and Symplastic Peroxidase Activity from Norway Spruce by the Photooxidant Hydroxymethyl Hydroperoxide

“…It was unlikely that climatic factors caused a specific reduction in apoplastic peroxidase activity at the middle altitude, since mean temperatures decreased (0.5°C/100 m) and radiation increased with increasing altitude. Air pollution by sulfur and nitrogen oxides was low at Wank mountain (Polle et al, 1992b). Ozone increased gradually from valley to summit (Table I).…”

“…The stations are located in the Calcareous Alps (Bavaria, Germany) close to spruce forests for which data on climate and pollution have been reported previously (Polle et al, 1992b). The seedlings were kept in brown forest earth in pots that had been sunk in the ground.…”

The health and nutritional status of Norway spruce stands in the Krušné hory Mts. 15 years subsequent to the extreme winter of 1995/96

“…After the winter of 1995/96, at most of the sites monitored (Fig. 5) the fluorine content of one-year-old needles significantly exceeded the toxicity limit of 5 mg·kg -1 (Polle et al 1992;Lomský et al 1996). The most loaded and affected localities in regard to sulphur pollution were Špičák, Skelný vrch and Lounská.…”

“…7), i.e. from deficiency level to favourable nutritional supply (Polle et al 1992;Bergmann 1993). After a moderate decrease in the phosphorus concentration, a slight increase in the mean values from 1,300 to 1,800 mg·kg -1 has been observed since 2003.…”