| There are several different types of air pollution. The main types are sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and ozone (in the lower atmosphere). Forests react to environmental problems and pollutants in different ways. Here are some examples of forests that are dying and how air pollution affected them. | Pines in San Bernardino, California: The forest near San Bernardino consists of mostly of ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine, white fir and incense cedar. The trees that were the most severely damaged were the ponderosa and the Jeffery pines. The needles on the trees began to yellow (a process called chlorosis), which led to their death. The trees were more susceptible to insects and other dangers, and their growth rate was significantly reduced. The trees near the affected pines had no similar damage, so the forest was not suffering from drought or another natural disaster or ailment or the whole forest would be equally affected. Research uncovered that the trees were being affected by the ozone coming from Los Angeles, 75 miles away from the forests. The ponderosa and Jeffery pines are especially sensitive to this pollutant. |
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