BIOINDICATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS L. IN SOME TERRITORIES OF THE KAMIANETS-PODILSKYI DISTRICT OF THE KHMELNYTSKYI REGION

Abstract

Based on the reaction of plant organisms in response to the influence of environmental factors, its condition can be assessed and changes can be predicted. In connection with the deterioration of the environment, such studies are relevant, as they allow studying and controlling the level of its pollution. Conifers, in particular Pinus sylvestris L., are considered the most sensitive of higher plants to environmental changes associated with the influence of anthropogenic factors. On the territory of the Kamianets-Podilsky district, which is part of the national nature park "Podilskyi Tovtry", P. sylvestris is a non-native, but introduced invasive species, which was artificially planted in order to stop erosion processes and bioremediation of limestone species waves that arose as a result industrial activity. The purpose of the study is to conduct a bioindicative assessment of the state of Pinus sylvestris L. in some territories of the Kamianets-Podilskyi district of the Khmelnytskyi region. For this, three trial plots (TP) were selected within the territory: TP 1, which is located in the vicinity of the villages of Velikozalissya and Malozalissya; TP 2 – on the territory of the "Ukraine" sanatorium, which is within the village of Makiv. TP 3 – in the Surzhyntsi village area, along the public road of territorial significance T-23-17 Kamianets-Podilskyi – Stara Ushytsia. They studied chlorosis, necrosis of needles, class of its damage and class of drying, length, width and number per 10 cm of a shoot, life status of trees. For this purpose, 150-200 needles were selected from shoots of the 2nd year of life at a height of 2 m from 3-4 P. sylvestris trees in each PP. It is shown that the state of P. sylvestris is assessed as weakened or drying up in the studied trial areas. At the same time, the best condition is observed in the vicinity of the villages of Velikozalissya and Malozalisya, and the worst – in the vicinity of the village of Surzhyntsi, likely due to anthropogenic influence. Based on the correlation between needle damage and drying classes with air pollution classes, it was determined that TP 1 has relatively clean air, TP 2 has moderately polluted air, and TP 3 has highly polluted and very dirty air. However, other factors may also contribute to the drying of P. sylvestris in the "Podilskyi Tovtry" National Nature Park. These include soil chemical composition, density, moisture levels, slope exposure, plant age, and competition with broad-leaved species. These factors should be considered when using P. sylvestris as a bioindicator in this region.