Nitrogen pollution on the local scale in lithuania: vitality of forest ecosystems

This paper describes recovery peculiarities of coniferous stands damaged by pollutants (mainly NOx, NH3, SO2 and mineral dust) from a nitrogen fertilizer plant. Decreased air pollution was ascertained according to the data from precipitation chemical analysis. In the area of damaged coniferous stands nitrogen deposition has decreased to about 20–50 kg ha−1 year−1 and sulfur to 10–15 kg ha−1 year−1. Damaged Scots pine stands, especially young ones, have for 5–7 years already been regaining their vitality. Meanwhile, older damaged Norway spruce stands have declined due to Ips typographus outbreaks. Contamination of forest litters has also decreased with the decrease in air pollution, but acidification of forest soils continues.