Eutrophication and vegetation change : results of a temporal analysis of pine forests between 1988 and 2004

Abstract

Vegetation of pine (Pinus sylvetris L.) forests subjected to intense air pollution stress in the impact zone of one of the largest air pollution sources in Lithuania – the mineral fertilizer plant Achema data were analysed to determine eutrophication effects between 1988 and 2004. The study sites were established at 3-22 km distances in the prevailing wind direction (70–90 azimuth to the east from the plant) where vegetation data from pine stands which had first been surveyed by prof. S.Karazija in 1987-1988 were available (further referred as 1988). Stands with an age of 55 years with vegetation assigned to the Vaccinio-myrtillosa site type and with similar dendrometrical characteristics were preferred and were investigated in July, 2004.[...].