Spatial pattern of ozone injury in Aleppo pine related to air pollution dynamics in a coastal-mountain region of eastern Spain

In eastern Spain, studies combining the tracking and meso-scale circulation s of air pollutants with the evaluation of their effects on plants have bee n undertaken since 1994. Meso-scale processes are very important from the p oint of View of how and where forest ecosystems are affected by point sourc es and regional air pollution in the Mediterranean area. The first results of these field surveys show that in 1994, 1995 and 1996, the distribution p attern of ozone visual injury (chlorotic mottle) in Pinus halepensis correl ated with the penetration of pollutants transported by the sea-breeze into coastal valleys of Castellon (eastern Spain). In this tree species, longer needles are associated with higher chlorotic mottle, and ozone injury seems to be among the factors affecting needle retention and crown transparency. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.