The Mortality of the Red Spruce and Fraser Fir in the Appalachians Due to Air Pollution

On the highest peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, there are spruce fir forests, which are predominately made up of Red Spruce and Fraser Fir (Smith and Nicholas 1998). In the past several decades scientists have been noticing an unusually large number of Red Spruce and Fraser fir dying, much more than what should be. This finding was a cause for concern, therefore, over the past two decades there has been rigorous research done on these trees; and the more research that was done the more evidence they found that linked air pollution with the mortality of these trees (Mello 1987). Air pollution is the main reason for tree mortality among the Red Spruce and the Fraser fir. The onset of modern air pollution has caused many problems for the trees in the form of acid deposition, changes in nutrient ratios, and weakening trees to insect defoliation, as well as harsh weather conditions.
The Red Spruce is an evergreen with a thick coat of dark green needles.…