THE GROWTH OF SPRUCE (PICEA-ABIES (L) KARST) IN THE KRKONOSE (GIANT) MOUNTAINS AS INDICATED BY RING WIDTH AND WOOD DENSITY

The spruce forests near the upper tree line its the Krkonose Mountains (Czech Republic) are damaged by air pollution. Along an altitudinal transect, 141 spruces have been investigated to find out whether pollution has affected cambial activity indicated by changes in tree-ring width, maximum latewood density and a changing growth response to climate. Under severe pollution impact, a decline in both tree-ring width and maximum density was apparent Correlation and multiple regression analyses of growth and climate point to a reduced length of the growth period in the last 2 decades. A possible relation to pollution impact is discussed.