A review of ozone-induced effects on the forests of central Mexico.
The first report on oxidant-induced plant damage in the Valley of Mexico was presented over 30 years ago. Ozone is known to occur in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area and elsewhere as the cause of chlorotic mottling on pine needles that are 2 years old or older as observed in 1976 on Pinus hartwegii and Pinus leiophylla. Visible evidences for the negative effects of ozone on the vegetation of central Mexico include foliar injury expressed as chlorotic mottling and premature defoliation on pines, a general decline of sacred fir, visible symptoms on native forest broadleaved species (e.g. Mexican black cherry). Recent investigations have also indicated that indirect effects are occurring such as limited root colonization by symbiotic fungi on ozone-damaged P. hartwegii trees and a negative influence of the pollutant on the natural regeneration of this species. The negative ozone-induced effects on the vegetation will most likely continue to increase.
de Bauer
María de Lourdes
Mde L
Instituto de Recursos Naturales, Colegio de Postgraduados, Carretera Los Reyes-Texcoco, Montecillo, Edo México, México. libauer@colpos.mx
Hernández-Tejeda
Tomás
T
D028202:Abies / Q000187:drug effects; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000187:drug effects; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity; D008800:Mexico; D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical / Q000633:toxicity; D010126:Ozone / Q000633:toxicity*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity; D028223:Pinus / Q000187:drug effects; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects; D027861:Prunus / Q000187:drug effects; D014197:Trees / Q000187:drug effects*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical; D052638:Particulate Matter; D010126:Ozone