Trampling as a major ecological factor affecting the radial growth and wood anatomy of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) roots on a hiking trail

The impact of hiking in forested areas is one the main factors affecting condition tree growth along trails. Trampling causes common exposure roots and quantification human on root radial wood anatomy requires careful assessment. To accurately identify changes Pinus sylvestris roots, we conducted a stepwise cross-dating using trampled from trail reference roots. Such approach was previously not applied lowland area. In addition, investigated that influence root-stem coherency, including soil properties, morphology. Changes were examined three parts system: buried, transition trampling zone. for each zone compared with corresponding stem chronology. total, 204 97 stems period 1970–2015. Missing rings found to be phenomenon all zones, except exposed lateral highest number wedging missing observed respectively. total increased an increasing distance stem. events highly coupled formation scars (r = 0.51, p < 0.001) pronounced resin ducts (PRDs) 0.52, 0.001). majority anatomical (i.e., 84% 85% PRDs) identified degree correlation between raw chronology 0.69, zone, coherency determined primarily by type (77.3%) age (17.4%), whereas buried organic matter content (55.4%) compaction (39.7%). It has been proved record Scots pine serve as valuable ecological archive high temporal resolution.