RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Vtorova V.N., Kholopova L.B. Distribution of Biophilic Elements in Norway Spruce Crown // Forest Science (Lesovedenie). 2010. No 3. P. 71-80 (in Russian).

The data on the variability on the N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Si, Al, and mineral admixtures contents of the total ash content and calorific value in needles and twigs of Picea abies L. in spruce 35-year-old plantations are presented. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, scopes of the variability of the element concentrations are assessed, and the role of them in the function of the assimilative apparatus is determined. A boundary dividing the needles and twigs of the annual increment from old needles and twigs in clusters are concentrations of N, P, 1С, and S. The content of N in younger needles and twigs was higher by 20 and 13% respectively; for P, by 10 and 24; K, by 15 and 47%. The S concentration was lower in these fractions by 25 and 37%. No statistically significant dependence of the needle chemical composition on its vertical distribution within the crown and orientation to cardinal directions was revealed. The similarity of the biophilic element contents in one and two-year-old needles are stipulated by biochemical processes; it confirms their status as passive bioindicators of environmental state.

Spruce 35-year-old plantations, spruce needles and twigs of different age, biophilic element content, calorific value, main components method, cluster analysis.