Reactions of old-growth pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) to environmental changes in the Kola North

The reactions of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) to environmental changes after external disturbances (logging, fires, aerotechnogenic pollution) in the Kola North were studied. It was found that century-old pine trees-seed sources at a young age reacted quite clearly to a decrease in competition after external influences by increasing radial growth of wood (RP). Then there was a noticeable decrease in the intensity of RP, which is primarily due to the aggravation of competitive relationships in the emerging young community. The next period of growth and development of Scots pine, lasting more than 170 years, was characterized by the relative stability of the phytocenotic environment, which predetermined the stability of the RP. Then there was an external violation of the established community for years as a result of cutting down the stand. The remaining for felling seeds pines aged 250–270 years reacted quite actively by increasing the intensity of RP by 1.5– 2 times compared to the previous, long-term growth period. The established intensity of RP has not changed significantly for almost 50 years. However, in recent years overgrown pines have reacted to increased competition from the intensively developing young community of Scots pine by reducing RP. During the relative stabilization, periods of depression and RP expression associated with changes in weather conditions were observed in communities. In the surveyed forest communities exposed to industrial atmospheric pollution with sulfur dioxide in combination with heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Co, etc.), most of the century-old pines in the zone of intense pollution withered in 60-70s in the last century. In areas where average levels of industrial pollution were recorded, individual century-old pines in a depressed state are found among the young of Scots pine. Many of them dried up in the 90s of the last century, unable to withstand such a pronounced change in the environment. In conclusion, it should be emphasized that century-old pines (Pinus sylvestris) in conditions of Kola North they react quite vividly to environmental changes by increasing or decreasing the intensity of the RP of wood.

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