title: The recovery of damaged pine forests in an area formerly polluted by nitrogen.
abstract: An area in Lithuania containing coniferous stands of Scots pine and Norway spruce that were dead or damaged due to nitrogen pollution by a nitrogen fertilizer plant (JV Achema) was found to have expanded between 1974 and 1989 to a distance of 20 to 25 km northeast of the plant in the direction of prevailing winds. Over the last 10 years, when nitrogen pollution by the plant had decreased, a clear process of recovery of the damaged ecosystems could be observed. The following features of this process as it occurred in damaged Scots pine stands are discussed: (1) refoliation (or decreased defoliation) of damaged trees, where a clear positive trend could be observed; (2) changes in the species composition and in the covering by ground vegetation, where small changes and indication of less-nitrophilous species coverage could be detected; and (3) chemical and acidity changes in Luvisols and Arenosols, where a significant decrease could be seen especially concerning nitrate concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Lithuanian Forest Research Institute, Girionys, Lithuania. dirvo@mi.it
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Armolaitis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stakenas
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D017753:Ecosystem; D008097:Lithuania; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D028223:Pinus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds; D012987:Soil; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide