Trees are considered one of the most sensitive indicators of the environmental condition from all life forms. They are most suitable for the evaluation of the environmental changes. Due to the structure of crown trees have better contact with the atmosphere, so they filter the flowing air mass better than other vegetation forms, determine the processes in the ecosphere and react sensitively to the anthropogenic factors and consequently indicate the condition of the forest ecosystems by anatomical and morphological symptoms. Tree rings, their width and structure integrally reflect the complex impact of environmental factors. Therefore the role of tree rings, as the indicator of environmental conditions, is important for the evaluation of environmental changes. Forest ecosystems growing close to the pollution sources suffer the greatest impact because the concentration of harmful materials in the local pollution zone often exceeds permissible amounts.

The objective of the research was to analyse the changes of annual radial increment of pine stands (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the zones of local alkalizing, acidifying and eutrophying pollution and to determine the regularities of radial increment recovery after the decrease of pollution.

First time in Lithuania a comprehensive dendrochronological research on the impact of climatic factors and industrial pollution on the radial increment of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) has been carried out in the surroundings of “Akmenės cementas” plant. In this work also impact of cement dust on pine radial growth has been analyzed; anthropogenic changes of radial increment under the impact of “Akmenės cementas” and “Achema” emissions and after the reduction of emissions have been estimated; analysis of annual radial increment recovery due to reduction of industrial pollution has been carried out and the impact of industrial pollution on the relations between radial increment and climatic factors has been analyzed.

Raktažodžiai: Scots pine, annual radial increment, climatic factors, industrial pollution, dendrochronology