Assimilation apparatus peculiarities of isolated pine populations (Bolshoy Solovetsky island)

Isolated pine populations on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island exhibit significant differences in needle morphology and lifespan compared to mainland counterparts. The study found that Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Shore pine (Pinus contorta) needles grown in isolated conditions have lower mass, length, and area than those on the mainland, with no notable variation in needle parameters across different crown positions. Notably, Shore pine needles in cultures are 1.5–2 times larger than Scots pine needles under similar conditions. The lifespan of Scots pine needles was determined to be shorter in cultures (5 years) compared to natural forests (7 years), while Shore pine needles remain productive up to 5 years. A three-year cyclicity in needle length dynamics was also observed, influenced by the size of the previous year's needles.

Sobolev, A. N., Feklistov, P. A., Gryazkin, A. V., Gavrilova, O. I.,. (2023). Assimilation apparatus peculiarities of isolated pine populations (Bolshoy Solovetsky island). Forestry Bulletin, 27(5), 74–81. https://doi.org/10.18698/2542-1468-2023-5-74-81