Morpho-Anatomical Plasticity of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) Needles in Natural and Urbanized Areas of the Karaganda Region
Kuralay T. Altynay S. Sayagul T. Roza M. Ainur K. Kundyz N. Raigul S.
November 2025International Information and Engineering Technology Association
International Journal of Design and Nature and Ecodynamics
2025#20Issue 112615 - 2622 pp.
This study evaluates the morpho-anatomical variability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles in contrasting environments of the Karaganda region, Central Kazakhstan. Samples were obtained from four populations representing natural forests (Karkaraly) and urbanized areas (Temirtau, Balkhash, Karaganda). Morphological indicators (needle length, width, and thickness) and anatomical traits (epidermis, hypodermis, mesophyll, vascular bundles, and resin canals) were assessed under a light microscope (200×) using ImageJ software. Ten trees were analyzed per site, with 20 needles per tree, and ten cross-sections per needle measured. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied. Needles in urban populations averaged 37.7 mm in length, significantly shorter than those from natural sites (61.3 mm, p < 0.05). Resin canal diameters were reduced in Temirtau and Karaganda, while Balkhash showed enlarged canals and conducting tissues, suggesting a compensatory adjustment. ANOVA confirmed significant site-level differences (F(3, 36) = 25.4, p < 0.001). PCA distinguished natural and urban groups, with morphological traits strongly contributing to PC1 (56.9% variance) and anatomical variables to PC2 (29.2%). The findings demonstrate that Scots pine exhibits high structural plasticity under urban stress. Reduced needle dimensions and resin canals in industrial zones indicate stress responses, while the enlarged conducting elements in Balkhash reflect adaptive defense. Resin canal size emerges as a sensitive anatomical marker of air pollution, supporting the use of morpho-anatomical traits for ecological monitoring and sustainable management of P. sylvestris populations in Central Kazakhstan.
Karaganda region , morpho-anatomical variability , natural and urbanized areas , needle , Pinus sylvestris L
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Department of Botany, Buketov National Research University, Karaganda, 100027, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology, Nazarbayev Intellectual School, Astana, 010017, Kazakhstan
Department of Sports and Natural Sciences, Shakarim University, Semey, 071400, Kazakhstan
Department of Botany
Department of Biology
Department of Sports and Natural Sciences
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026