EFFECT OF HEAVY METALLS POLLUTION ON THE SPECIFIC RESPIRATION ACTIVITY OF FOREST LITTER
The effect of industrial pollution on forest litter respiration measured in situ has been studied. Two gradients being the result of emissions of large copper-smelting enterprises - the Sredneuralsky (spruce andfir forests) and Karabashsky (birch forests) are considered. It is pointed out that pollution does not greatly influence the forest litter respiration, though the specific respiratory activity of the litter is being sharply reduced when the content of heavy metals in it is increased. The decrease of respiration activity of the forest litter on the background of its reserves increase is one of the mechanisms of relative stability of soil respiration in the pollution gradient.