Abies Nordmanniana Research Articles

Antiviral and cytotoxic activities and chemical profiles of two species of Abies nordmanniana from Türkiye.

Abies is an important genus of the family Pinaceae, with about 50 species found in the highlands of Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North and Central America. The principal aim of the present work was to investigate the chemical content and biological potential of the resin and cone from Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana and Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani, respectively. The flavonoid and phenolic contents of the resin and cones were evaluated using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Additionally, the essential oil and fatty acid compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), respectively. Cytotoxicity of the extracts and essential oils were screened against certain cancer cell lines, namely, human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line (PC3), human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549), human pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1), human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231), and normal human lung fibroblast cell line (CCD-34-LU), with MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay. According to the MTT results, hexane extracts of both cone (CH) and resin (RH), ethanol-water (CEW), dichloromethane (CD), and acetone (CA) extracts of the cone mostly inflict cytotoxicity in HepG2 cell line. Antiviral activities of Abies nordmanniana subsp. extracts at doses of 5 μg/g and 10 μg/g were also evaluated in ovo for their virucidal activity against avian coronavirus. Abies nordmanniana subsp. extracts exhibited concentration-dependent antiviral activity on specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs. Significantly, cone acetone extract (CA), cone ethanol extract (CE), and cone dichloromethane extract (CD) of Abies nordmanniana subsp. exhibited strong inhibition of the virus at a concentration of 10 μg/g. The most potent virucidal activity was observed with ethanol-water extract of conifer form (CEW). According to these results, it was proved that Abies nordmanniana species could be a potential, sustainable, and renewable drug source, especially considering the impressive antiviral and significant cytotoxic activity potentials.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Abies nordmanniana subsp equi-trojani Extracts

In this study, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of Abies nordmanniana subsp equi-trojani cone spangles, which are endemic and endangered and grow in Çanakkale Ida Mountains, was investigated by agar well diffusion and microplate methods. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of distilled water, ethanol, methanol and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of cone spangles was evaluated against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. As a result, it was determined that the DMSO extract had antibacterial and antifungal activity against the tested microorganisms, while the extract prepared with distilled water had no activity. It was found that the activity of the methanol and ethanol extracts varied depending on the microorganism type. When the results of this study were compared with the positive control (penicillin G and fluconazole), it was determined that the extracts were not as effective as the antibiotic and antifungal disc. As a result, it is important to use alternative products that are abundant in nature instead of products derived from endangered species.

Identification and high-throughput genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphism markers in a non-model conifer (Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach)

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are powerful tools for investigating population structures, linkage analysis, and genome-wide association studies, as well as for breeding and population management. The availability of SNP markers has been limited to the most commercially important timber species, primarily due to the cost of genome sequencing required for SNP discovery. In this study, a combination of reference-based and reference-free approaches were used to identify SNPs in Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), a species previously lacking genomic sequence information. Using a combination of a genome assembly of the closely related Silver fir (Abies alba) species and a de novo assembly of low-copy regions of the Nordmann fir genome, we identified a high density of reliable SNPs. Reference-based approaches identified two million SNPs in common between the Silver fir genome and low-copy regions of Nordmann fir. A combination of one reference-free and two reference-based approaches identified 250 shared SNPs. A subset of 200 SNPs were used to genotype 342 individuals and thereby tested and validated in the context of identity analysis and/or clone identification. The tested SNPs successfully identified all ramets per clone and five mislabeled individuals via identity and genomic relatedness analysis. The identified SNPs will be used in ad hoc breeding of Nordmann fir in Denmark.

Anadolu sarıçamının (Pinus sylvestris L. var. sylvestris) doğal yayılış alanı ve vejetasyon bileşimi

Anatolian Scots pine (P. sylvestris var. sylvestris) forests spreading in the northern part of Anatolia, Türkiye, and covering 2.1 million hectares show great variation in terms of the vegetation composition depending on both ecological conditions and human interference. The spreading and/or growing of Scots pine is mostly related to the sunny cold, subhumid continental climatic conditions as well as the cold and semiarid climate. It begins at the coastal belt of the Black Sea coast and rises up to 2700 m in the NE part of Anatolia, and continues towards the semiarid continental part of Central Anatolia. Scots pine is associated with Fagus orientalis, Castanea sativa, Tilia rubra, T. tomentosa, Alnus barbata, A. glutinosa, Quercus sp., etc. in the lower belt of the Black Sea coast, with Picea orientalis and Abies nordmanniana in the eastern upper belt of the Black Sea Mountains, and with Abies bornmulleriana in the middle and western parts of the Black Sea Region. It is composed of Pinus nigra and A. nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani in the backward or southern parts of the Black Sea Region. Pure Scots pine stands occur in the subhumid continental part of NE Anatolia and the semiarid-subhumid continental part of Inner Anatolia. This study aims to highlight the natural occurrence of its forests, and to introduce their main vegetation composition reflecting ecological conditions.

The Effects of Stand Development Stages on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks in Black Pine, Scots Pine and Fir Stands in Türkiye

The influence of stand development stages on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks was examined in black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and Kazdağı fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojanı (Aschers. & Sint. ex Boiss) Coode et Cullen), differing in the mean tree diameters in which reproduction stages (RS)=<8 cm, sapling or pole stages (SPS)= 8-19.9 cm, large pole stages (LPS)= 20-35.9 cm, and medium wood stages (MWS)=36-51.9 cm in three tree species located in northwestern Turkey. A total of 216 soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, organic matter, bulk density, maximum water holding capacity, carbon, and nitrogen concentrations, and the SOC and TN stocks were calculated. SOC and TN stocks varied significantly among the four stand development stage classes. The SOC stock at 0-30 cm increased significantly due to an increase in the diameter of black stands (BPLPS and BPMWS). SOC stocks in all stand development stages peaked in the large pole (44.94 Mg/ha) and declined as the sapling or pole (37.71 Mg/ha) was replaced by medium wood stands (30.17 Mg/ha), and a low point (27.94 Mg/ha) was found in the reproduction stages of stand development for Scots pine. The TN stock at a soil depth of 0-30 cm ranged from 1.66 to 6.46 Mg/ha. The highest TN stock was observed in the SPSPS (6.46 Mg/ha) and FirRS (5.48 Mg/ha), and the lowest was observed in the BPLPS (1.66 Mg/ha) stands. The results illustrate that soil was the main storage of C and N in all different stand development stages of tree species.

Mechanical characterization of visually graded boards from turkish fir and black pine by nondestructive and destructive tests

For the mechanical characterization of Turkish fir and black pine, 400 board specimens with 22 mm× 50 mm × 420 mm were visually graded according to TS 1265 standard. Nondestructive tests were here upon performed using the stress wave method. After specimens were intentionally tested under flatwise bending to research the applicability as an alternative to tension and edgewise bending tests in European strength grading system. According to analyses of variance, the mean values of MOR and MOE differed in four groups at a p<0,05 significance level for visually graded boards. High correlations were found between MOR-MOE (R2=0,837) for fir and MOR-MOE (R2=0,776) for black pine. In addition, correlations of MOR-Knot rate for fir and black pine were respectively R2=0,669 and R2=0,660 showing the effectiveness of flatwise bending tests with the visual grading standard. For nondestructive tests, the mean values of the dynamic modulus of elasticity were very close in between fir and black pine grades while the usage of defect-free density performed better than the density of the whole specimen. Higher strength classes were found for black pine boards (Class 1= C40, Class 2= C27 and Class 3= C22) compared to fir boards (Class 1= C24, Class 2= C22 and Class 3= C18), respectively. Moreover, a simplified nonlinear material model was proposed for numerical modelling, and the results were found in good agreement in terms of the bending stiffness, strength, and deformation capacity of boards especially for class 1 and class 2 in both softwood species.

Termo–mekanik yoğunlaştırma işleminin ahşap malzemenin fiziksel özellikleri üzerine etkisi

It can be made into high strength, and valuable products by compacting low density, and low commercial value wood species. In this study, black pine (Pinus nigra) and Uludağ fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana) tree species were densified by using Thermo-mechanical (TM) method, which is an environmental modification method, at 140 oC and two different ratios of 25% and 50% (in the radial direction). Compression ratio in air-dry moisture, spring-back ratio after densification, and physical properties of air-dry densities were determined. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis in the MSTAT-C program. According to the results, wood type, densification type, and all their interactions were found to be effective on the compression ratio, and spring-back ratio in air dry moisture. The compression ratio in air-dried moisture was lower in Uludağ fir (Uludağ fir: 0.40 gr/cm³, black pine: 0.49 gr/cm³) compared to black pine due to the spring-back effect. While the volumetric recovery (spring-back) rates were 15.44% in Uludağ fir, it was determined as 19.40% in black pine. After the condensation process, the air-dry density value increase was lower in black pine compared to Uludağ fir, and it was determined as 35.94% in Uludağ fir and 34.53% in Black Pine

The Effect of Bleaching Agents on Color Change in Different Section Shapes in Beech And Fir Woods

Aim of study: It is an investigation of the effects of bleaching processes on the color change in the wood of tree species. Tree species Eastern Beech (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky.) and Eastern Black Sea Fir (Abies Nordmanniana subsp.) were used in the study. Sodium hydroxide-hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid, peracetic acid diluted 1/3, peracetic acid diluted 1/6 were used as bleaching agents. Trial samples were prepared in accordance with standards and color change measurements were made.
 Area of study: Surface treatments on wooden materials
 Material and methods: In the study, two wood species and one varnish type were used; Color changes were tested by applying various bleaches to the wooden material by rubbing method.
 Main results: As a result of the study, differences were observed in all cross-section shapes in beech wood bleaching measurements with 1/6 diluted peracetic acid, and differences were observed in cross-section shapes in fir wood bleaching measurements. The best bleaching of fir wood was achieved with peracetic acid.
 Main results: As a result of the study, differences were observed in all cross-section shapes in the beech wood bleaching measurements with 1/6 diluted peracetic acid, and in the cross-section shapes in the fir tree bleaching measurements. The best bleaching of fir wood was achieved with peracetic acid.
 Highlights: The bleaching process allows the wooden material to easily acquire a homogeneous color. Since the cell arrangements are different in different cross-sectional shapes, the bleaching rates are different from each other. While there is not much difference in the color changes in the wood material when bleached with oxalic acid, the samples are bleached as a result of bleaching with sodium hydroxide-hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid. Significant changes have occurred in color changes. The reason for this difference is due to the different degrees of corrosion of bleaching agents.

Some seed characteristics and genetic similarities of Western Black Sea Fir populations including an isolated population

West Blacksea fir (Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach subsp. equi-trojani) is an endemic species of Turkey. Six populations, four of which are a seed stand and three gene conservation forests (Akyazi-Dokurcun, Aladag-Sarialan, Kizilcahamam-Guvem, Safranbolu-Safranbolu), a Nature Reserve Area (Istanbul-Beykoz) and a natural forest (Pinarbasi-Kurtgirmez) were selected to study. Cones were harvested from 118 trees in six populations. Some seed characters obtained from cones were measured and evaluated. The average seed width, length, and thickness were 6.63 mm, 12.06 mm, and 3.46 mm, respectively. The average 1000 seed weight was 82.80 g. Statistical analyses indicated significant differences at the population level in all characteristics except seed length. Regarding genetic similarity, populations were divided into two main groups: East and West. The isolated Istanbul-Beykoz population was similar to the West group showing artificial migration or cut-off from the West group. Due to including seed stand and gene conservation forest, the findings are expected to contribute to forest management, besides Christmas trees and landscape use.

Differences in virulence of genets of Heterobasidion annosum and susceptibility of young plants of different conifer species and origins

AbstractHeterobasidion species are the most important pathogens causing root and stem rot on conifers in northern hemisphere forests. The host list of this complex is very wide and includes over 200 species of trees and shrubs. Among the members of this complex, Heterobasidion annosum s. s. has the largest host range. In this study, young plants of Pinus sylvestris, Picea orientalis, Abies nordmanniana, Cedrus libani and Pinus brutia (three different origins) were inoculated on the lower stem with known genets of Heterobasidion annosum s.s. collected from Pinus brutia stands in south‐western Türkiye. Infection frequency, assessed as presence of the conidial stage in stem discs following incubation, in the inoculated seedlings was 100%. The Heterobasidion annosum s. s. isolates were re‐isolated from all inoculated host species. Control seedlings showed no symptoms of disease. Mortality in inoculated plants was 11.5% of the 735 inoculated plants, which died over an 8‐weeks incubation period. The isolates showed greater growth on Cedrus libani, Pinus sylvestris and Picea orientalis seedlings compared to other species tested. On the other hand, it was found that the least affected seedlings were Pinus brutia TB12 and Abies nordmanniana. This study proved that differences occur in aggressiveness of Heterobasidion annosum s. s. to host species. A striking point in the results is that, despite being the host species from which the isolates were obtained, Pinus brutia seedlings showed lower sensitivity to Heterobasidion annosum s. s. than the other conifer species tested. Inoculations of three different Pinus brutia provenances suggested there was no significant difference in mean lesion lengths and fungal growth values in Pinus brutia plants, except in Pinus brutia TB14, which was more susceptible to extension growth of the pathogen.

Change of Cr, Co, and V concentrations in forest trees by species, organ, and soil depth

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most important environmental problems threatening living organisms and environmental health. Thus, there is much research interest in monitoring and reducing heavy metal pollution. Plants’ potential to accumulate heavy metals in various organs differs greatly. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the most suitable species and organs first and acquire knowledge of the subjects such as the transfer of heavy metals within plants and their particular intake into plants. This study investigated Cr, Co, and V, which are among the most important and dangerous heavy metals, and are listed in the primary pollutant list of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Their concentrations were studied at different depths of soils where Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Fagus orientalis, and Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmüelleriana species are grown, in the leaves, cones, wood, bark, and roots. The results showed that the intake of these elements into plant bodies generally occurs through the soil. Additionally, the highest concentrations in both leaves and roots were generally obtained in Fagus orientalis and Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmüelleriana species. It can be stated that those species are the most suitable species to monitor and reduce heavy metal pollution.

The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of $\textit{Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf }$ resin extract on prostate cancer cell cells

Cancer has become one of the most critical health issues, with an increasing incidence and mortality in recent years. Meanwhile, many studies are carried out on discovering new compounds which reflects effective results on cancer cells. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on cancer cell lines by using the extract obtained from Uludağ Fir ($\textit{Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf }$) resin. Uludağ Fir resin extract was obtained by applying the methanol extraction method. In our study, fibroblast cell L-929, human metastatic prostate cancer PC-3 and human metastatic prostate cancer DU-145 cell lines were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium. The effects of the resin extract concentrations on the viability of the cells were determined with the Muse™ Cell Count & Viability test. In addition, apoptosis and cell cycle phases of the cells were determined using the Muse™ cell analyzer. Finally, RT-qPCR analysis was performed to determine the resin extract effect on pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene expression. The apoptotic effect of Uludağ Fir resin extract on cancer cell lines was significantly higher in contrast to the healthy normal cells. In addition, it was determined that Uludağ Fir extract caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. In RT-qPCR analysis, the pro-apoptotic gene expression levels were apparently increased in cancer cells, which was followed by a decrease in the anti-apoptotic gene expression levels. All taken together, these results indicate that Uludağ Fir resin extract exerts two prong effects as it induces a cell cycle arrest and apoptotic pathway activation on human prostate cancer cell lines.

Top-Leader Growth in Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)

The growth of the top-leader in Abies nordmanniana was measured over a 6-year period, and showed a consistent growth pattern, with an initial growth phase reaching a maximum growth rate that varied between 12.0 and 22.5 mm per day, and which could be correlated with the temperature in July of the previous year. The daily growth rate always peaked in the last week of June. In late-bud-breaking plants, the top-leader became short because of a low growth rate in this first phase of growth. In the second growth phase, the daily growth rate slowly declined, but was similar in all plants, regardless of the size of the top-leader when this phase began, and the timing of the bud break. The growth in the second growth phase was correlated with the precipitation in the period. Growth cessation occurred in the basal part of the top-leader soon after bud break, and progressed slowly apically, whereby the upper 25% of a young top-leader contributed to 50% of the final length, as growth in this section continued throughout the major part of the growth season.

Causal agents of current season needle necrosis on Trojan Fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani) growing in the Aladağ mountain range in Bolu Province

Causal agents of current season needle necrosis on Trojan Fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani) growing in the Aladağ mountain range in Bolu Province

The effect of climate on tree-ring of Fir, Spruce and Scotch pine in Karçal Mountains

This study aims to analyze the effects of temperature and precipitation on tree-ring growth in the lower and upper growing borders of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L. subsp. hamata), Caucasian Fir (Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach. subsp. nordmanniana) and Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis L.carr.) in the Karçal Mountains (Artvin). This area hosts the first and pioneering biosphere reserve area of Türkiye in terms of biodiversity. This area is also one of the rare areas in Türkiye where Scots pine Fir and Spruce trees coexist. For dendrochronological analysis, 2 core samples were taken from each of the 15 trees using an increment borer from the lower and upper growth limits of Fir, scotch pine and Spruce. Tree-ring series are standardized. To reveal the statistical relationships between tree-ring growth and temperature and precipitation, Response functions were calculated separately for each site chronology. The rainy month of September has a positive effect on the tree-ring growth of Spruce. In the study area, a generally positive relationship was determined between July precipitation and the tree-ring growth for the lower and upper growing limits of Scots pine. In the study area, the precipitations of April and October affect the tree ring negatively for all regional chronologies, and May and June precipitation positively. The average temperatures between October of the previous year and May-June of the current year were negative; The positive relationship between the average temperatures of February, March and July and the growth of the ring predominates.

Population genetic variation of microsatellite markers developed for Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) and European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) using whole genome sequencing data

AbstractThe article presents the results of the search for microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci with tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexanucleotide tandem repeat motifs in the draft de novo assembly of the Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) genome and the development of convenient relatively highly and moderately polymorphic markers that can be easily genotyped even by simple gel electrophoresis. In total, 64 pairs of oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for 32 detected microsatellite loci were designed and tested. Based on the testing results, 10 most promising polymorphic loci were selected and genotyped in eight natural populations of Siberian fir. Homologous microsatellite loci in the genome of European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) were also identified by mapping Siberian fir contigs, containing SSR loci to the European silver fir genome assembly. A multiplex panel of 14 universal microsatellite loci was developed and genotyped in samples from four natural populations of A. alba and a small sample of eight Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach) trees.

Feeding preferences of members of the primitive and rare forest pests within tribe Xylosteini Reitter (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lepturinae) in Türkiye with their new and all known host plants and distributional data

The detection of cerambycids and their feeding preferences within the natural ecosystems is of great ecological and economic importance. Accordingly, the paper presents collectively all taxa of the primitive, rare and hardly studied tribe Xylosteini Reitter in Türkiye with new data on their feeding preferences and distribution patterns for the first time. The available specimens were collected from localities in Artvin, Bolu, Gümüşhane, Kırklareli, Samsun and Sivas provinces of Türkiye in 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2022. As a result, it is determined that Turkish Xylosteini includes four species of two genera. All of them are rare species. Abies nordmanniana (Pinaceae) and Fagus orientalis (Fagaceae) are determined as new host plant species for Xylosteus kadleci Miroshnikov. Accordingly, at least five or six host plants for each species are determined with the present study. According to the present study, the members of the genus Leptorhabdium Kraatz are preferred deciduous trees only, while the members of the genus Xylosteus Frivaldszky von Frivald are preferred both deciduous and also coniferous trees. Besides, detailed distribution data with figures show provincial and regional distribution patterns of all species are also given. Apparently, the genus Leptorhabdium seems to be represented only by L. caucasicum in North-Eastern Anatolia of Türkiye, while the genus Xylosteus seems to be represented by X. spinolae in European Türkiye (=Thrace), by X. kadleci in North-Western Anatolia of Türkiye, and by X. caucasicola in North-Eastern Anatolia of Türkiye.

Genetic Variation among Somatic Embryo Clones of Nordmann Fir Grown as Christmas Trees

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) cloning techniques for Nordmann fir Christmas tree production have been pursued and refined in Denmark, and three SE clonal trials with 201 SE clones from seeds of 27 Nordmann fir trees and seedlings from bulk harvest seeds in Georgia, Caucasus, were established from 2014 to 2015. This study was the first to evaluate the genetic performance of these SE clones in different sites. In addition, the performance of SE clones and (zygotic) normal seedlings in the field was compared in this study. This study was based on three key groups of traits for Christmas tree production, measured 5 and 6 years after planting: growth, commercial tree quality, and disorder. Seedlings grew faster and had better Christmas tree quality than SE clones. There were significant family effects for all traits, indicating that a good family also produced good clones on average. Growth and disorder traits were under moderate genetic control, with estimated broad-sense heritability (H2) from 0.19 to 0.31 and from 0.20 to 0.28, respectively. Quality traits had low to moderate H2, ranging from 0.09 to 0.24. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions were shown for Christmas tree quality, post-harvest needle retention, and branch angle, suggesting the importance of choosing the right clone at each site. There was no significant interaction in height among the years. Superior clones, compared to the unbred seed source, were identified by combining several important traits. Overall, the somatic clones were well established but had slower growth compared to standard seedlings.

Reconstruction of the dynamics of the dark coniferous forests of the Teberdinsky Nature Reserve and prospects for their natural recovery after mass drying out

A study was made of the mass drying of the eastern spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) in the Teberdinsky Nature Reserve (North Caucasus). The main cause of the drying was an outbreak of the number of bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) whose mass reproduction occurred in the hot seasons of 2012 and 2015. The existing undergrowth was not affected. By 2019, 7 years after the beginning of the mass drying of spruce, most of the groups of drying had died out, single active bark beetle foci were noted. There are almost no live spruces of the upper tiers left. In small numbers, they have been preserved in the Dombai forestry in mixed stands of Picea orientalis (L.) Link, Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach and Fagus orientalis Lipsky. As our study showed, the stands of two of the four forest areas of the reserve originated in a treeless space (250 and 350 years ago). Subsequently, three of the four underwent one strong, but local disturbance during their existence. Reconstruction of the history of dark coniferous stands of the surveyed forest areas shows a high ability for natural self-healing of the Teberdinsky fir-spruce forests after massive disturbances. In the near future (after the fall of dead wood, which is already happening), the stands of sample plots will be a sparse forest from Abies or Abies with Fagus, and most of the sample plots will become open stands with single Abies trees. The modern mass drying of the eastern spruce as a result of bark-borne epiphytotics has a much larger scale of disturbances both in the area and in the degree of destruction of the stand. This is fundamentally different from the disturbances of the past. In such a situation, the shortage of seeds will have a particularly negative impact. Therefore, the preservation of preliminary coniferous undergrowth is especially important.

Change of Calcium Concentrations in Forest Soils by Plant Species and Soil Depth

One of the most important factors playing role in plant development is the nutrient element content of the soil. Being one of the fundamentally necessary macronutrients for plant nourishment, calcium (Ca) plays an important role in the growth and development of a plant. Thus, even though many studies have been carried out on the change of Ca concentration in agricultural soils, the number of studies examining this subject for forest soils is very limited. In the present study, it was aimed to compare the concentrations of Ca in soil and plant organs for the soils, where different forest trees are grown. Within this scope, leaf, bark, wood, cone, and root samples were collected from Turkish fir, black pine, Scotch pine, and Oriental beech species and soil samples were taken from the surface, mid-deep, and deep soil levels. Then, the Ca concentrations were compared. As a result, it was determined that Ca concentrations statistically significantly vary between leaves, roots, and woods of plants and between mid-deep and deep soils by species (p