Biphasic dependence of some ecomorphological and biochemical parameters of the birch leaf plate on the level of motor traffic pollution

Abstract

The dependence of photosynthetic pigment (PP) content, lipid peroxidation (LPO) rate, and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of the leaf plate on the level of motor traffic pollution has been studied in the drooping birch (Betula pendula Roth.). It has been shown that this dependence has a biphasic pattern. At the first phase, an increase in pollution pressure leads to disturbances in the homeostasis of trees manifested in reduction of PP content, intensification of LPO, and increase in the FA index. At the second phase, further increase in pollution pressure has an opposite effect, normalizing homeostasis (LPO rate and FA index decrease, while PP content increases).