DOES THE SKRUNDA RADIO LOCATION STATION DIMINISH THE RADIAL GROWTH OFPINE TREES

The Skrunda Radio Location Station (RLS), which has operated continuou sly for more than 20 years, has created a unique area for the study of pulse radio-frequency electromagnetic field effects. Trees were chose n to assess these effects. Since 1990, permanent plots have been estab lished in pine forest stands around the Skrunda RLS and in control are as. The dynamics of tree growth changes were analysed using retrospect ive tree ring data. There is a statistically significant (P < 0.01) ne gative correlation between the relative additional increment in tree g rowth and the intensity of the electric field. The radial growth of pi ne trees has diminished in all plots that received electromagnetic rad iation. This decrease in growth began after 1970, which coincided with the start of operation of the Skrunda RLS, and was subsequently obser ved throughout the period of study. The effects of many other environm ental and anthropogenic factors were evaluated, but no significant eff ects on tree growth were observed.