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The effect of acid precipitation on tree growth in eastern North America

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Abstract

Detailed study of the history of forest tree growth by tree-ring analysis is used to assess the effect of acid precipitation. The pattern and historical trends of acid precipitation deposition are compared with growth trends from mature forest stands in New Hampshire and Tennessee. No clear indication of a regional, synchronized decrease in tree growth was found. The residual variation of relative tree growth responses, after removal of variation due to weather, shows no recent time-dependent trend. Due to the unknown initiation date of acid precipitation and to the large variation of tree growth estimates, a correlation of forest growth and acid precipitation in eastern North America cannot be established at the present time.

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Author notes

  1. Charles V. Cogbill

    Present address: , Ocean Point Road, 04544, East Boothbay, Maine, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, N.Y., USA

    Charles V. Cogbill

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  1. Charles V. Cogbill
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Cogbill, C.V. The effect of acid precipitation on tree growth in eastern North America. Water Air Soil Pollut 8, 89–93 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00156727

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00156727

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