Estimation of urban coniferous trees state by chlorophyll fluorescence

Coniferous trees are characterized by a high sensibility to an atmospheric pollution.(1,2) Therefore, they are widely used in contamination level indication. Methods, basing on the chlorophyll fluorescence recording, are among the fastest methods of plants physiological state definition. In present work the physiological state of coniferous trees, growing in several districts of Tomsk City with different degree of air pollution was investigated by fluorescent methods. It was found that in winter-spring time the fluorescence intensity of the trees in stronger polluted areas is higher. The reason is that the weakened plants can not reach the state of the deep dormancy. Therefore, under artificial removing, they overpass this state earlier, showing the higher physiological activity in comparison with plants of the pure sites.