Abstract
S ummary Acid rain‐induced direct injury to forest tree seedlings was investigated in specially designed controlled‐environment simulated‐rainfall chambers. Seed germinative capacity, seedling survival, seedling growth and morphological responses to simulated rains of pH 5.6, 4.6, 3.6 and 2.6 were examined during the first growth cycle in 11 commercially important north temperate tree species. Germinative capacity was weakly responsive to rain pH, while seedling survival was more sensitive. No evidence of macroscopic foliar injury was observed at rain pH > 2.6. 1 reatment with pH 4.6 rain was sufficient to induce statistically significant growth reductions and morphological changes in coniferous seedlings. Response varied with species, treatment pH and parameter measured. No consistent growth stimulations were observed. Initiation of Primary needles, axillary meristems and shoot apex height were most affected by simulated pH. Deciduous species were considerably more resistant than coniferous species. Treatment with ram of pH 2.6 was generally required to induce significant growth reductions in deciduous seedlings.
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Claims 9
Claim · model-written summary
Germinative capacity responded weakly to rain pH.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Germinative capacity was weakly responsive to rain pH”
t0“FOREST TREE SEEDLINGS”
Claim · model-written summary
Seedling survival was more sensitive to rain pH.
Verbatim
e0“seedling survival was more sensitive”
t0“FOREST TREE SEEDLINGS”
e1“Germinative capacity was weakly responsive to rain pH”
Claim · model-written summary
There was no macroscopic foliar injury above pH 2.6.
Verbatim
e0“No evidence of macroscopic foliar injury was observed at rain pH > 2.6”
t0“FOREST TREE SEEDLINGS”
Claim · model-written summary
pH 4.6 rain significantly reduced conifer seedling growth.
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“pH 4.6 rain was sufficient to induce statistically significant growth reductions and morphological changes in coniferous seedlings”
Claim · model-written summary
pH 4.6 rain caused significant morphological changes in conifer seedlings.
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e0“pH 4.6 rain was sufficient to induce statistically significant growth reductions and morphological changes in coniferous seedlings”
Claim · model-written summary
No consistent growth stimulation occurred.
Verbatim
e0“No consistent growth stimulations were observed”
t0“FOREST TREE SEEDLINGS”
Claim · model-written summary
Primary needle initiation, axillary meristems and shoot apex height were most affected by simulated pH.
Verbatim
e0“Initiation of Primary needles, axillary meristems and shoot apex height were most affected by simulated pH”
t0“FOREST TREE SEEDLINGS”
Claim · model-written summary
Deciduous species were more resistant than coniferous species.
Verbatim
e0“Deciduous species were considerably more resistant than coniferous species”
Claim · model-written summary
pH 2.6 rain was generally needed to significantly reduce deciduous seedling growth.
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“ram of pH 2.6 was generally required to induce significant growth reductions in deciduous seedlings”