Suburban Pine Forests as Bioindicators of Air Pollution

The data on monitoring the vigor state of suburban pine forests of the metropolis of Krasnoyarsk in 2021–2022 are presented. These forests belong to the boreal forests of Central Siberia. More than a thousand pine trees marked with individual numbers are examined in pine forests A and B annually (diameter, height and vigor state). Discoloration of needles has been recorded yearly: in pine forest B since 2012 and in pine forest A since 2019. Phytopathological analysis excluded the influence of pathogens or pests on needles; the changes were referred to the impact of air toxins. A sharp deterioration in the vigor state of pine forests A and B has been observed for the last 3-4 years; in B the degradation was more severe. This degradation is confirmed by an increase in the score of the forest vigor state category (6-point scale). We consider the possibility to stop the degradation and restore the forest ecosystems of the metropolis provided the currently used industrial technologies are changed