Naslov (eng)

Assessment of the potential of albino beech compared to pigmented beech as a bioindicator of environmental conditions

Autor

Marković, Miroslava
Konatar, Bojan
Božović, Jelena
Stojanović, Vanja
Rakonjac, Ljubinko
Lučić, Aleksandar
Gagić-Serdar, Renata

Publisher

Opis (eng)

Abstract: The common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) can be used in forest ecosystem monitoring as a model for assessing environmental changes. Its long lifespan and wide distribution make it a suitable bioindicator of atmospheric deposition, soil acidification, and stress related to climate changes. Numerous studies have shown that foliar analysis of beech reflects both regional trends in acidic depositions and heavy metal input, as well as local pollution gradients. Crown defoliation and vitality parameters further complement this chemical signal by integrating complex stress factors such as drought and temperature related ecosystems. In addition, recent years have seen growing interest in rare albino individuals of woody species, including albino beech. Due to the absence of chlorophyll and altered relationships between the phloem and xylem, albino shoots may act as “traps for mineral nutrients.” Studies on albino sequoias have confirmed elevated concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni in albino leaves compared to pigmented ones, indicating potentially high sensitivity to environmental pollution and possible applications in phytoremediation. A similar pattern of heavy metal accumulation can also be observed in albino beech, which can accumulate higher concentrations of heavy metals such as Ni and Cd compared to pigmented individuals. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the use of beech as a bioindicator of environmental conditions and compares it with available data for albino woody species, with special emphasis on albino beech. It is concluded that the greatest potential lies in combining standardized regional monitoring of common beech with targeted research of albino individuals as extreme models for studying element cycling and heavy metal accumulation.

Jezik

engleski

Datum

2025

Licenca

Ovo delo je licencirano pod uslovima licence
Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 - Creative Commons Autorstvo 4.0 International License.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Predmet

Keywords: common beech, albino beech, bioindicators, heavy metals.

Deo kolekcije (2)

	o:6206	Zbornik Radova Instituta za šumarstvo
	o:1347	Radovi Instituta za šumarstvo