URBOECOSYSTEM ECOLOGICAL STATUS ASSESSMENT BY THE MORPHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF PICEA ABIES L. (ON THE EXAMPLE OF IVANO-FRANKIVSK CITY)

Abstract

The bioindicative prospects of Picea abies L. in the conditions of an urbanized environment are analyzed based on the complex of morphological parameters of the species' vitality. The preference of conifers as phytoindicators of populated areas is substantiated due to the peculiarities of their physiology and structure. Simple, convenient and informative phytoindicative morphological markers of Picea abies vitality are applied: weight, length and type and degree of needle necrosis, as well as the general sanitary condition of the species individuals. The use of morphological indicators of coniferous plants vitality is proposed as an alternative to physiological and biochemical methods of biomonitoring, or analytical methods of ecological monitoring of the urban environment. The research is conducted in the conditions of functional zones of Ivano-Frankivsk city, selected on the principle basis of urban areas functional zoning. A decrease in the needles mass in the conditions of the transport routes zone and residential development zone is established by 1.9 and 1.6 times, relative to the background values, respectively. At the same time, the length of needles is a constant parameter and does not undergo a significant decrease compared to the background area. In the conditions of the urban ecosystem of Ivano-Frankivsk a decrease in the functional state of Picea abies individuals is observed in the following series of functional zones: background zone → zone of complex greening → zone of residential development → zone of transport routes. The highest necrosis degree of Picea abies needles is observed in the zone of the city's transport routes, while the dominant type of necrosis is apical. This is a sign of the heavy metals accumulation and other anthropogenic pollutants at the tips of the needles, which is an adaptive mechanism in response to stress. In the conditions of the Ivano-Frankivsk ecosystem the most common degree of necrosis of Picea abies needles is the first and fifth degrees. At the same time, the highest percentage of needles with signs of drying is observed in the transport routes zone of the city - 39%. In the area of complex greening and residential development this parameter is approximately 20%, and in the background area - 2%. The first class of damage refers to individuals of Picea abies growing in the complex greening zone, the second class of damage is observed in individuals existing in the residential development zone, and the third class of damage is fixed in individuals existing in the transport route zone of Ivano-Frankivsk city. Picea abies is a promising biological indicator of the urban environment quality and is recommended for wider implementation in the practice of greening urban ecosystems.