Objective
The Sverdlovsk region is amongst the biggest industrial regions of Russia. Due to enormous industrial emissions, the environmental conditions in about ten industrial centres in the Sverdlovsk region are desperate. So far, ecological monitoring has been restricted to physical / chemical measurements of some pollution components. At the moment, only a small number of sites have been investigated and measuring has been conducted only for limited periods of time. Spatial aspects of pollution and their influence on the ecosystem are completely unknown. Bio-indication and bio-monitoring approaches are therefore urgently needed.
The aim of this project is to develop a method for ecological monitoring in heavily polluted areas in the middle Urals using forest trees and tree-colonising (epiphytic) lichens as bio-indicators and bio-monitors. The methodological investigations will include the following approaches: a detailed description of the tree stands based on morphological and physiological characterisations of naturally occurring trees of defined age; quantitative floristical analysis of epiphytic lichens which are sensitive to atmospheric pollutants such as sulphur dioxide. A widely used index of atmospheric purity will be tested and a standardised method for a bio-indication and bio-monitoring with epiphytic (tree colonising) lichens will be proposed for the middle Urals. Pulse-amplitude modulated chlorophyll fluorescence will be tested to measure early impairment of pollution-related tree and lichen vitality.
The main result of the project will be the collection and analysis of data with final publication of the results, including maps, in an international journal. The publication of maps will also be useful when planning reforestation activities in the Sverdlovsk region.
Call for proposal
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8903 Birmensdorf
Switzerland