Classification of Biochemical Response Patterns for the Assessment of Environmental Stress to Norway Spruce

1998

2 Abb., 1 Tab., 17 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

13894

200101998

Biochemical results on pigments and antioxidants from four forest research areas in Austria (Loisach-Valley, Achenkirch, Glein, Schöneben) were analysed by principal component analysis and classified by cluster analysis. The original data set was compressed to six components containing information about chlorophyll, carotene, and xanthophyll contents (component 1), redox state of carotenoids (2), chlorophyll a/b ratios (3), antioxidant contents (4), chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios (5), and peroxidases (6). A cluster analysis for exemplary plots performed on this new database resulted in 4 distinct clusters of stressphysiological response patterns. Members of cluster 1, representing trees of comparably good health, grew at 1000m at Glein. Trees belonging to cluster 2,characterized as intermediates between healthy (cluster 1) and oxidatively stressed (cluster 3) were found mainly at 1500m at Glein and at 1000m at Achenkirch. Cluster 3 was related to oxidative stress with its members being found at high-elevated (1500m) plots of Loisach-Valley and Achenkirch areas. Responses of cluster 4 might be related to edaphic conditions. Trees belonging to cluster 4 grew at 1000m at the Loisach-valley. Such statistical classifications of multivariate patterns allow the objective evaluation of similarities among different field study areas.