Growth response of young slash pine trees to simulated acid rain and ozone stress

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1992

Abstract

Four half-sib families of Pinus elliottii were planted in large open-top chambers and exposed 28 months to factorial combinations of three rain acidities (pH 3.3, 4.3, and 5.3) and four concentrations of ozone (subambient produced with carbon filtration, ambient, two times ambient, and three times ambient). Among the growth variables, only volume increment showed a consistent year to year response to acid rain and ozone. The acid rain × ozone interactions was significant for volume increment each year and was the result of trees in the two times ambient ozone level having greater sensitivity to rain acidity. Both acid rain and ozone significantly affected mean unit leaf rate, but this effect weakened with time, suggesting some degree of physiological acclimation. Increasing rain acidity significantly increased mean leaf area only during the first growth period. Ozone significantly affected mean unit leaf rate, but this effect weakened with time, suggesting some degree of physiological acclimation. Increasing rain acidity significantly increased mean leaf area only during the first growth period. Ozone significantly decreased mean leaf area all three growth periods, with the effect intensifying each year. Complex family interactions with acid rain and ozone masked any clear family sensitivities to these pollutants. -from Authors

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

First Page

839

Last Page

848

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