Growth alterations in Scots pine seedlings grown in forest soil: implications for restorative forest management

Heave metals originating from smelting activity have deteriorated forest ecosystems in many places, The threat to forest does not cease even when the smelting activity ends, due to the pool of metal cations absobed into soils. When reforestation is planned in such areas, it is vital to know if seedlings survive in those conditions. We investigated the effects of nickel and copper added to soil on the growth of Scots pine seedlings. Root growth showed the strongest response. Ni being more harmful than Cu. The reduction in the green biomass produced during the experiment eas nearly the same as that in root biomass. Cu being more harmful. Copper toxicity in the aboveground parts is not direct, however, since Cu is not transported to the foliage or stem in toxic amaounts. The result show that afforestation may be possible even in areas polluted by smelting activity for decades.