Tree Growth and Climate Relationship: Dynamics of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) Growing in the Near-Source Region of the Combined Heat and Power Plant During the Development of the Pro-Ecological Strategy in Poland

Abstract

Since the 1990s, the emission of pollutants was reduced in a majority of Polish and developing country factories whereas the level of energy production was similar to that prior to the 1990s. The conifer investigated in this study has grown for many years under the stress of industrial pollution. Despite this, the trees are preserved, to a large extent, sensitive to the natural climatic factors. We present a complex analysis of the climatic (sunshine, temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind circulation) and anthropogenic factors influencing the radial increment dynamics of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in the vicinity of the combined heat and power station in Łaziska (Poland). We analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of growth reductions, the depth of reduction with respect to the distance from the emitter, the relationship between tree growth and climate during the industry development period and during proecological strategy application . Samples of carbon isotopic composition in pine needles from 2012 to 2013 were additionally determined. Pines series of 3 positions indicate that they have a similar sensitivity to most climatic elements of the previous and given year, but there is also a different rhythm between the studied populations of incremental growth of pines. The causes of diversity are due to the different types of habitat (site types) and industrial pollution. The variation in carbon stable isotopic composition in pine needles was connected with an increase of CO2.

Variations of tree ring width and chemical composition of wood of pine growing in the area nearby chemical factories

“…The biological effects of pollutants stress on trees depend on the species and age of trees and the habitat condition where they grow (e.g. ; Danek 2007;Malik et al, 2012;Sensuła et al, 2015aSensuła et al, , 2015b.…”

“…However, industrial pollution affects medium-and long-term changes in the incremental characteristics. This depends on the degree and time of the pollution, tree species, habitat conditions, orography of the area and the location of trees in relation to emitters (Wilczynski, 2006;Malik et al, 2012;Sensuła et al, 2015aSensuła et al, , 2015b. Often sub-populations located along transects relative to the emitters are chosen.…”

Climatic signals in tree-ring width and stable isotopes composition of <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> L. Growing in the industrialized area nearby Kędzierzyn-Koźle

“…The influence of pollutants depends on the distance of trees from the emitters, the position of sites in relation to the direction of wind carrying pollutants, the age of trees and habitat conditions in which trees grow (Carrer and Urbinati, 2004;Yu et al, 2008;Friedrichs et al, 2009;Dauskane et al, 2011;Wilczyński, 2013;Sensuła et al, 2015aSensuła et al, , 2015b.…”

“…Since the beginning of the 20 th century, there has been much discussion about how external environmental factors, including climate changes and anthropogenic effects affect the physiological processes that control tree growth (Schweingruber, 1996;DeVries et al, 2000;McCarroll and Loader, 2004;Pazdur et al, 2007Pazdur et al, , 2013Sensuła et al, 2015aSensuła et al, , 2015bSensuła, 2015). Through photosynthesis, plants convert CO 2 and H 2 O to saccharides (C 6 H 12 O 6 ), using light, and release oxygen to the atmosphere.…”

“…The variation of the annual radial growth was used as an indicator of the tree's response to climate factors during the period of time since 1951-2012, when strong increase of industrial activities in the investigated area were observed. The sampling sites were located in different distance and in different geographical directions from industrial factories (Sensuła et al, 2015a(Sensuła et al, , 2015b.…”