Air pollution effects on annual ring widths of forest trees in mountainous land of Izmir (Turkey)

Abstract

Annual ring widths of forest trees are affected from different ecologicalfactors (e.g. climate, soil, etc.) and also from air pollution. In the areas with intensive air pollution annual ring width reductions are observed. For this reason, some methods which detect the annual ring widths, in other words, the increase or decrease in diameter increments, are used to examine air pollution. Industrial establishments found in the northern part of Izmir city (Aliaga region) affect air quality of this area negatively. In this investigation, annual ring widths of 13 Pinus brutia Ten. (Calabrian pine) and 20 Pinus nigra Arnold. (Austrian pine) from 4 mountains (Karabelen, Manisa, Kemalpasa, and Yamanlar) with different altitudes and exposures around Izmir city were detected and the effects of air pollution on these trees were determined. Intensive effects of air pollution have started in 1985, for that reason, annual ring widths were examined through a reference period before this year and a study period (1985–1998) after this year and results are statistically evaluated. Annual ring widths of tree samples in the northern exposure were affected from air pollution, and some reductions were observed. These reductions increased when there is a long drought period.