Fluctuating asymmetry of leave’s silver birch (Betula pendula Roth)

Abstract

The variability of morphological parameters of the silver birch’s leaf blade (Betula pendula Roth.) was investigated in different parks and gardens plant community in Kamianske city (Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine). The current level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) as an integral indicator of the test plant condition in different ecological conditions of this industrial city was analyzed. It was found out that the fluctuating asymmetry value (FA =0.054) induces the maximum permissible level of anthropogenic influence at the birch silver in the most distant from industrial enterprises (residential block «Romankovo») area. The values of the fluctuating asymmetry that were installed on other sites («Center» — FA = 0;055 and «Station» — FA = 0.063), manifest extremely unfavorable environmental conditions (test plants are in a very depressed state).