Metal Accumulation and Functional Traits of „Maianthemum bifolium” (L.) F. W. Schmidt in Acid Beech Forests Differing with Pollution Level

Maianthemum bifolium (L.) F. W. Schmidt is a clonal plant with a wide geographical range throughout Europe and Asia. It is also abundant as an understory plant of acid beech forests in southern Poland. The response strategies of this species to heavy metals and their effects on some functional traits (height, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific rhizome length (SRL) and rhizomes dry matter content (RDMC)) were tested. Selected heavy metal concentrations were measured in leaves, rhizomes and rooting soil of May lily in five beech forests of southern Poland, mainly including an industrialised region of Upper Silesia. The contamination level of these ecosystems was assessed with a single pollution index. The results show significant contamination with Pb even at control sites and moderate with Cd, Zn, Fe and Cu in Upper Silesian forests. May lily accumulated Pb, Zn and Fe mainly in rhizomes, but Ni, Cu and Cd were also translocated to aboveground organs in comparable quantities, which confirms the indicator value of this plant. May lily accumulated up to 21 and 30 mg g− 1 Cd, 34 and 90 mg g− 1 Pb and 250 and 553 mg g− 1 Zn in leaves and rhizomes respectively. Moreover, the accumulation factors show that May lily accumulates Cd in above- and underground organs in higher amounts than found in soil. Although high concentrations of these toxic elements in tissues, no visible damages on plants were observed, also the measured functional traits show no apparent relationship with the pollution level

The communities of ectomycorrhizal fungal species associated with Betula pendula ROTH and Pinus sylvestris L. growing in heavy-metal contaminated soils

Aims Pioneer tree species such as Betula pendula and Pinus sylvestris encroach soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs). This is facilitated by ectomycorrhizal fungi colonizing tree roots. Thus, we evaluated the ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities of B. pendula and P. sylvestris growing in HMcontaminated soils compared to non-contaminated soils. We also studied the effect of HMs and soil properties on EMF communities and soil fungal biomass. Methods Roots of B. pendula and P. sylvestris were collected from three HM-contaminated sites and from two non-contaminated sites located in Poland. EMF species were identified using DNA barcoding. Soil fungal biomass was determined by soil ergosterol. Results B. pendula and P. sylvestris growing in HMcontaminated soils had similar EMF communities, where Scleroderma, Rhizopogon and Russula as well as ectomycorrhizae of the long-distance exploration type dominated. Among all of the examined soil factors studied, toxicity index (TITotal) was the most significant factor shaping the composition of EMF communities. Despite significant differences in the structure of the EMF communities of trees growing in HMcontaminated sites compared to control sites, no differences in overall diversity were observed. Conclusions Only well-adapted EMF species can survive toxic conditions and form ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with encroaching trees facilitating the forest succession on contaminated soils

Suitability of selected Robinia pseudoacacia organs for bioindication purposes

The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of chosen organs of Robinia pseudoacacia as bioindicators. Content of selected elements in leaves, shoots, seeds, pods and bark of R. pseudoacacia from the area of three cities of Silesia province: Katowice, Chorzow and Siemianowice Slaskie was estimated. In each of the cities five sampling points were selected. Localizations were grouped in three categories differing in terms of the level of pollution (traffic, industrial plants). Statistically significant differences between pollution level of segregated groups in investigated localizations were found. On the basis of PCA and cluster analysis for individual organs sampling points were divided into groups depending on concentration of investigated elements in tissues of R. pseudoacacia. Conducted studies suggest that the organ best suitable for bioindication are leaves of R. pseudoacacia

Dataset for the project "Evaluation of the effects of trace elements from street dust under urban – industrial conditions on the ecophysiology of Acer platanoides L. and Tilia cordata Mill.

<p>Description of the project: The rapid growth of cities, industry and transport has significantly deteriorated environmental quality, especially in areas with the highest population densities. It applies to water, soil, and air, especially in urban areas. Air pollutants include particulate matter (PM), which harms human health. According to WHO reports (2021), PM pollution is the cause of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, leading to 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016. Although improving every year, the situation in Poland is still worse than in many European countries. The particulate matter also includes heavy metals, which have a toxic effect on plants. Plants in urban areas are particularly vulnerable, especially trees, which perform several vital functions, including mitigating climate change, filtering pollutants, and improving air quality. The aim of the project was to determine and compare the morphological and physiological responses of selected tree species to particulate pollution stress under urban conditions. Tree leaves are an essential barrier to atmospheric dust by trapping it on their surface. However, this may come at the cost of reduced light absorption, increased leaf temperature, damage to leaf blades and consequently impaired photosynthesis and plant productivity. However, the ability to absorb dust varies between tree species. It depends on the leaf surface structure, and the response may be due to the species' sensitivity to pollutants. Investigations were conducted in the Upper Silesian Industrial Area around various emission sources, such as heavy metal smelters, combined heat and power plants, and busy streets. The research focused on two tree species common in urban areas, the Norway maple (<i>Acer platanoides</i>) and the small-leaved lime (<i>Tilia cordata</i>). It included measurement of heavy metal concentrations in leaf blades and dust collected on their surface, analysis of concentrations of selected pigments and ascorbic acid as markers of environmental stress. The study provided a preliminary assessment of the impact of particulate pollution on tree function under harsh urban conditions and determined the potential of the studied species to reduce atmospheric dust.</p&gt