Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) cambial growth in Taiga zone of Russian European North

Abstract

A study was carried out to identify the climatic response in the pine cambial growth under the conditions of excessive moisture in the soils of the northern and middle taiga. The results of the pine trees growth with different apophysis of the cones seed scales from different habitats (the basins of the Northern Dvina, Pinega, Vaga rivers and the mouths of the Mezen and Vychegda rivers) are presented. Significant differences in growth were established between trees with a «convex» and «flat» apophysis of the cones seed scales in the basins of the Northern Dvina, the Pinega and the Vaga rivers and the mouth of the river Vychegda. The values of radial growth in trees with a «flat» apophysis of the cones seed scales are lower than in trees with a «convex» one. It was revealed that different forms of pine have low and close values of the «sensitivity» index (19...27 %), and the variability of this indicator in the more northern coenopopulations is characterized as medium, and in others as medium increased. According to the «stress index», trees of different forms are characterized by a stable and less resistant state to conditions of excess moisture. The cenopopulation of pine at the mouth of the river Mezen and the river basin Pinega established close average values for this indicator. In the river basin of the Northern Dvina, in trees with a «convex» shape of apophysis of the cones seed scales, the average value of the «stress index» is lower than with the «flat» apophysis. In the river basin Vaga and the mouth of the river Vychegda the value of the «stress index» is higher in trees with a «convex» apophysis than in trees with a «flat» shape. Significant correlations were established for the radial growth of various pine trees and air temperature in the study areas. The results obtained can be used in solving environmental problems connected with climate change.