Difference in needle length-a new and objective Indicator of pollution impact on scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

摘要

Needle fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) was studied south of the Severonikel nickel-copper smelter in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. We measured the difference in length of two Needles of the same pair, and calculated FA as the ratio between this difference and the average length of the two Nddeles of this pair. Needle FA did not depend on tree age, distance form the nearest neighbour or branch position Within the crown, but increased with an increase in branching order.