The effect of alkaline emission on diversity of plant species in a forested ecosystem

Abstract

We studied the effects of alkaline compounds addition on species diversity and species composition in a pine forest in Akmene, Lithuania. As the object of studies was chosen 50-year-old pine stands attributable to Myrtillo-oxalidosa turfuso-siccata forest type where the structure of vegetation cover (woody plants, herbs, bryophytes) and their projection coverage was ascertained. Plant communities on the observation plots at a distance of 0.5, 3.5 and 5.5 km from the plant in the direction of prevailing winds were studied. Herbs and woody plants comprise 75–81% of species diversity. The total projection coverage of vegetation is 20–33% at different observation plots. The greatest part belongs to herbs and woody plants. More resistant to the impact of alkalising dusts are broadleaved trees and bushes, such as Corylus avellana L.; Quercus robur L.; Frangula alnus Mill. and Betula pendula Roth start spreading. Nearby the pollution source the number of herbs decreased by 20.9%. [...]