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Shetti R, Boonen K, Smiljanić M, Tejnecký V, Drábek O, Lehejček J. Do trees respond to pollution? A network study of the impact of pollution on spruce growth from Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:124012. [PMID: 38643933 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Tree rings have been reliably used as an environmental proxy over the past decades for environmental reconstructions, simulations and forecasting. In our study, we investigated whether tree-ring chronologies are impacted by pollution. We chose sites in the Krušné hory and the Krkonoše Mountains in the Czech Republic which have a known history of pollution. We sampled Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) in both ranges and compared their chronologies. We found no significant difference in the overall radial growth in the chronologies from both regions. However, we observed an increased heterogeneity in the growth of trees from the 1970s till the 1990s. Coherently, a severe reduction in tree growth from the late 1970s and a recovery towards the early 1990s was evident. We collected and analysed soil samples for pH and exchangeable element concentrations. All seven sampling sites' soils were strongly acidic (pHCaCl2 = 3.3 ± 0.4). The average soil base saturation at Krušné hory was higher than at Krkonoše (39% versus 12%), likely due to more intensive liming. Further, we compared these chronologies to other sites in Europe. Analysing 89 sites, we found that most (9 out of 14) of the sites with significantly reduced radial tree growth were located within the former 'Black Triangle', an area which was subjected to heavy industrialisation and pollution from the 1960s to the 1990s. Atmospheric sulphur deposition was found to negatively affect radial tree-growth, while limited quantities of oxidised nitrogen appeared to have a positive effect. Our results are consistent with previous research, indicating that atmospheric SO2 pollution and subsequent acid fog and rime have led to a reduction in annual radial tree growth across the Black Triangle.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Shetti
- Department of Environment, University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně, Pasteurova 15, 400 96, Ústí n. Labem (UJEP), Czech Republic; The Green Concept, Institute for Carbon Assessments and Restoration Ecology, Ketkar Road, Pune, 411004, India
| | - K Boonen
- Department of Environment, University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně, Pasteurova 15, 400 96, Ústí n. Labem (UJEP), Czech Republic.
| | - M Smiljanić
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, Greifswald University, Soldmannstrasse, 15 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - V Tejnecký
- Department of Soil Sciences and Soil Protection, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - O Drábek
- Department of Soil Sciences and Soil Protection, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Lehejček
- Department of Environment, University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně, Pasteurova 15, 400 96, Ústí n. Labem (UJEP), Czech Republic
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Slavskiy V, Matveev S, Sheshnitsan S, Litovchenko D, Larionov MV, Shokurov A, Litovchenko P, Durmanov N. Assessment of Phytomass and Carbon Stock in the Ecosystems of the Central Forest Steppe of the East European Plain: Integrated Approach of Terrestrial Environmental Monitoring and Remote Sensing with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:632. [PMID: 38792652 PMCID: PMC11122659 DOI: 10.3390/life14050632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid and accurate estimation of aboveground forest phytomass remains a challenging research task. In general, methods for estimating phytomass fall mainly into the category of field measurements performed by ground-based methods, but approaches based on remote sensing and ecological modelling have been increasingly applied. The aim is to develop the scientific and methodological framework for the remote sensing estimation of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of forest stands, using the combination of surveys and machine learning models to determine phytomass of forest stands and calculate the carbon balance. Even-aged stands of different tree species growing in the forest steppe zone of the East European Plain were chosen as test objects. We have applied the modernized methodological approaches to compare and integrate forest and tree stand characteristics obtained by ground-based and UAV-based comprehensive surveys; additionally, we developed computer vision models and methods for determining the same characteristics by remote sensing methods. The key advantage of the proposed methodology for remote monitoring and carbon balance control over existing analogues is the minimization of the amount of groundwork and, consequently, the reduction inlabor costs without loss of information quality. Reliable data on phytomass volumes will allow for operational control of the forest carbon storage, which is essential for decision-making processes. This is important for the environmental monitoring of forests and green spaces of various economic categories. The proposed methodology is necessary for the monitoring and control of ecological-climatic and anthropogenic-technogenic transformations in various landscapes. The development is useful for organizing the management of ecosystems, environmental protection, and managing the recreational and economic resources of landscapes with natural forests and forest plantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliy Slavskiy
- Faculty of Forestry, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, 8 Timiryazev Street, 394087 Voronezh, Russia; (S.M.); (S.S.); (D.L.); (P.L.)
| | - Sergey Matveev
- Faculty of Forestry, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, 8 Timiryazev Street, 394087 Voronezh, Russia; (S.M.); (S.S.); (D.L.); (P.L.)
| | - Sergey Sheshnitsan
- Faculty of Forestry, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, 8 Timiryazev Street, 394087 Voronezh, Russia; (S.M.); (S.S.); (D.L.); (P.L.)
| | - Daria Litovchenko
- Faculty of Forestry, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, 8 Timiryazev Street, 394087 Voronezh, Russia; (S.M.); (S.S.); (D.L.); (P.L.)
| | - Maxim Viktorovich Larionov
- Department of Bioecology and Biological Safety, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise and Agricultural Safety, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Russian Biotechnological University (ROSBIOTEC’H University), 1 Volokolamsk Highway, 125080 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton Shokurov
- Computational Methods Laboratory, Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1, Main Building, GSP-1, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University “Brain, Cognitive Systems, Artificial Intelligence”, Leninskiye Gory 1, Main Building, GSP-1, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel Litovchenko
- Faculty of Forestry, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, 8 Timiryazev Street, 394087 Voronezh, Russia; (S.M.); (S.S.); (D.L.); (P.L.)
| | - Nikolay Durmanov
- Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, 11 Tverskaya Street, 21 Bryusov Lane, 125009 Moscow, Russia;
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Navrátil T, Rohovec J, Nováková T, Roll M, Cudlín P, Oulehle F. Quarter century of mercury litterfall at a coniferous forest responding to climate change, Central Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:34936-34952. [PMID: 38717703 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33555-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
This work evaluated the 25-year-long trends (1994-2018) in mercury (Hg) concentrations and fluxes in spruce litterfall at a forest research plot Načetín (NAC) recovering from acidic deposition in the Ore Mountains, Czech Republic. The mean litterfall Hg deposition averaged 51 ± 18 µg m-2 year-1, which has been the highest litterfall Hg deposition reported up to date on the European continent. In contrast, the wet deposition (2017-2019) was an order of magnitude lower averaging at 2.5 ± 1.5 µg m-2 year-1. All the spruce litterfall components bark, twigs, needles, cones, and a mixture of unidentified fragments had elevated mean Hg concentrations relative to background sites averaging 256 ± 77, 234 ± 62, 119 ± 23, 95 ± 14, and 44 ± 15 µg kg-1, respectively. Elevated litterfall Hg deposition and concentrations were attributed to the nearby local Hg emission source-coal-fired power plants. Temporally, the decrease of Czech Hg emissions since the 1990s was reflected by the decreasing trend of Hg concentrations in litterfall bark, cones, and twigs, while in needles and other material, Hg increased but insignificantly. Total litterfall ratios of Hg/C, Hg/N, and Hg/S were lower than those in soil O horizons averaging at 0.23 ± 0.04, 9.5 ± 2.0, and 170 ± 37 μg g-1, respectively. Since the beginning of monitoring, total litterfall Hg/C exhibited no trend, Hg/N decreased, and Hg/S increased. The litterfall biomass deposition averaging at 469 ± 176 g m-2 year-1 increased through time resulting in an increased Hg litterfall deposition at NAC by 1.1 µg m-2 year-1 despite the decreases in Czech Hg emissions. Peaks of annual litterfall Hg deposition up to 96 µg m-2 year-1 at NAC during the 25 years of monitoring resulted from weather extremes such as rime-snow accumulation, wind gusts, droughts, and insect infestation, which all significantly affected the annual biomass deposition. Based on our observations, further increases in biomass and litterfall Hg deposition rates can be expected due to the onset of bark beetle infestation and the increasing number of droughts caused by climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Navrátil
- Institute of Geology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Rohovec
- Institute of Geology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Nováková
- Institute of Geology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Roll
- Institute of Geology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Cudlín
- Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Poříčí 3B, 60 300, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Oulehle
- Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Poříčí 3B, 60 300, Brno, Czech Republic
- Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21, Prague 1, Czech Republic
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Novak M, Kochergina YVE, Andronikov AV, Holmden C, Veselovsky F, Kachlik V, Hruška J, Laufek F, Paces T, Komarek A, Sebek O, Stepanova M, Curik J, Prechova E, Fottova D, Andronikova IE. Sizeable net export of base cations from a Carpathian flysch catchment indicates their geogenic origin while the 26Mg/ 24Mg, 44Ca/ 40Ca and 87Sr/ 86Sr isotope ratios in runoff are indistinguishable from atmospheric input. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:26261-26281. [PMID: 38499921 PMCID: PMC11024055 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32866-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Nutrient imbalances may negatively affect the health status of forests exposed to multiple stress factors, including drought and bark beetle calamities. We studied the origin of base cations in runoff from a small Carpathian catchment underlain by base-poor flysch turbidites using magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and strontium (Sr) isotope composition of 10 ecosystem compartments. Our objective was to constrain conclusions drawn from long-term hydrochemical monitoring of inputs and outputs. Annual export of Mg, Ca and Sr exceeds 5-to-15 times their atmospheric input. Mass budgets per se thus indicate sizeable net leaching of Mg, Ca and Sr from bedrock sandstones and claystones. Surprisingly, δ26Mg, δ44Ca and 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of runoff were practically identical to those of atmospheric deposition and soil water but significantly different from bedrock isotope ratios. We did not find any carbonates in the studied area as a hypothetical, easily dissolvable source of base cations whose isotope composition might corroborate the predominance of geogenic base cations in the runoff. Marine carbonates typically have lower δ26 Mg and 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and silicate sediments often have higher δ26Mg and 87Sr/86Sr ratios than runoff at the study site. Mixing of these two sources, if confirmed, could reconcile the flux and isotope data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Novak
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic.
| | - Yulia V Erban Kochergina
- Department of Rock Geochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandre V Andronikov
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Chris Holmden
- Saskatchewan Isotope Laboratory, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Frantisek Veselovsky
- Department of Rock Geochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Kachlik
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 118 21, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Hruška
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Laufek
- Department of Rock Geochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Paces
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Arnost Komarek
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Sokolovska 49, 186 75, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Sebek
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Stepanova
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Curik
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Prechova
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Fottova
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Irina E Andronikova
- Department of Rock Geochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
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Cienciala E, Melichar J. Forest carbon stock development following extreme drought-induced dieback of coniferous stands in Central Europe: a CBM-CFS3 model application. CARBON BALANCE AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 19:1. [PMID: 38170292 PMCID: PMC10765692 DOI: 10.1186/s13021-023-00246-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We analyze the forest carbon stock development following the recent historically unprecedented dieback of coniferous stands in the Czech Republic. The drought-induced bark-beetle infestation resulted in record-high sanitary logging and total harvest more than doubled from the previous period. It turned Czech forestry from a long-term carbon sink offsetting about 6% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 to a significant source of CO2 emissions in recent years (2018-2021). In 2020, the forestry sector contributed nearly 10% to the country's overall GHG emissions. Using the nationally calibrated Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) at a regional (NUTS3) spatial resolution, we analyzed four scenarios of forest carbon stock development until 2070. Two critical points arise: the short-term prognosis for reducing current emissions from forestry and the implementation of adaptive forest management focused on tree species change and sustained carbon accumulation. RESULTS This study used four different spruce forest dieback scenarios to assess the impact of adaptive forest management on the forest carbon stock change and CO2 emissions, tree species composition, harvest possibilities, and forest structure in response to the recent unprecedented calamitous dieback in the Czech Republic. The model analysis indicates that Czech forestry may stabilize by 2025 Subsequently, it may become a sustained sink of about 3 Mt CO2 eq./year (excluding the contribution of harvested wood products), while enhancing forest resilience by the gradual implementation of adaptation measures. The speed of adaptation is linked to harvest intensity and severity of the current calamity. Under the pessimistic Black scenario, the proportion of spruce stands declines from the current 43-20% by 2070, in favor of more suited tree species such as fir and broadleaves. These species would also constitute over 50% of the harvest potential, increasingly contributing to harvest levels like those generated by Czech forestry prior to the current calamity. The standing stock would only be recovered in 50 years under the optimistic Green scenario. CONCLUSION The results show progress of adaptive management by implementing tree species change and quantify the expected harvest and mitigation potential in Czech forestry until 2070.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Cienciala
- IFER - Institute of Forest Ecosystem Research, Cs. Armady 655, 254 01, Jilove U Prahy, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Melichar
- IFER - Institute of Forest Ecosystem Research, Cs. Armady 655, 254 01, Jilove U Prahy, Czech Republic
- Environment Centre, Charles University, Jose Martiho 407/2, 162 00, Prague, Czech Republic
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