The growth response of sclerophyllous Eucalyptus species to SO2 exposure compared with Pinus radiata

Wilson, S.A. and Murray, F. (1994) The growth response of sclerophyllous Eucalyptus species to SO2 exposure compared with Pinus radiata. Forest Ecology and Management, 68 (2-3). pp. 161-172.

Abstract

This research investigated the response to SO2 exposure of three sclerophyllous tree species of the genus Eucalyptus, a genus well known for its adaptation to water-limited environments, allowing prediction of growth response across a range of SO2 concentrations. In addition, the response of the three Eucalyptus species was compared with that of another tree genus (Pinus) exposed to SO2 under identical conditions, thus providing the opportunity to explore response differences attributable to biological differences. Ten open-top chambers were used to expose 1-year-old saplings to less than 5, 50, 122, 175 and 332 nl 1−1 SO2 for 4 h day−1, 7 days a week, for 107 days. Response variables measured included various growth parameters and sulphur accumulation. Significant reductions in growth and increases in sulphur accumulation occurred in the eucalypt species, but the Pinus studied showed no significant response to the SO2 concentrations used. Despite its sclerophylly, the genus Eucalyptus is less resistant to SO2 than many other tree species.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Copyright:	© 1994 Elsevier B.V.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/15252

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