Growth, leaf traits and litter decomposition of roadside hybrid aspen ( Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) clones

Road traffic contributes considerably to ground-level air pollution and is therefore likely to affect roadside ecosystems. Differences in growth and leaf traits among 13 hybrid aspen ( Populus tremula × P. tremuloides) clones were studied in relation to distance from a motorway. The trees sampled we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2011-07, Vol.159 (7), p.1823-1830
Main Authors: Nikula, Suvi, Manninen, Sirkku, Vapaavuori, Elina, Pulkkinen, Pertti
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
biogeochemical cycles
Biological and medical sciences
Chimera - genetics
Chimera - growth & development
clones
Decomposition
Ecosystem
ecosystems
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
epicuticular wax
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hybridization, Genetic
hybrids
Intraspecific variation
leaf area
Leaf morphology
leaves
Litter
Litter decomposition
Motorways
nitrogen content
Plant Leaves - chemistry
Plant Leaves - genetics
Plant Leaves - growth & development
plant litter
Populus
Populus - chemistry
Populus - genetics
Populus - growth & development
Populus tremula
Road traffic
Roads
Roadsides
Rural
Terrestrial environment, soil, air
traffic
Trees
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Summary:Road traffic contributes considerably to ground-level air pollution and is therefore likely to affect roadside ecosystems. Differences in growth and leaf traits among 13 hybrid aspen ( Populus tremula × P. tremuloides) clones were studied in relation to distance from a motorway. The trees sampled were growing 15 and 30 m from a motorway and at a background rural site in southern Finland. Litter decomposition was also measured at both the roadside and rural sites. Height and diameter growth rate and specific leaf area were lowest, and epicuticular wax amount highest in trees growing 15 m from the motorway. Although no significant distance × clone interactions were detected, clone-based analyses indicated differences in genotypic responses to motorway proximity. Leaf N concentration did not differ with distance from the motorway for any of the clones. Leaf litter decomposition was only temporarily retarded in the roadside environment, suggesting minor effects on nutrient cycling. ► Roadside hybrid aspen displayed xeromorphic leaf traits and reduction in growth rate. ► These responses were limited to trees close to the motorway and only to some clones. ► Leaf litter decomposition was only temporarily retarded in the roadside environment. Hybrid aspen had more xeromorphic leaves, displayed reduced growth, and showed retarded litter decomposition at an early stage in the roadside environment.
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2011.03.022