Multiyear Impact Monitoring of Pine Forests in the Central Part of the Kola Peninsula

Abstract

The spatiotemporal dynamics of structural and functional parameters of undamaged pine forests and those exposed to industrial emissions containing highly aggressive sulfur compounds in combination with heavy metals, Cu and Ni, were studied. The current condition of different components of undamaged pine forests is determined by natural succession processes. Technogenic air pollution is a significant factor in determining the life state of forest stands, and in the proximity of a large copper–nickel plant in the central part of Kola Peninsula, it is main factor causing weakening and even destruction of pine forest communities. There is a clear trend of improving life condition of the pine forests, even in the zone of strong pollution, on the background of significant reduction of emissions into the athmosphere.