An Ecological-Geochemical Assessment of the State of Woody Vegetation in Ulaanbaatar City (Mongolia)

Based on the results of a biogeochemical survey, an assessment of the state of woody vegetation in the functional zones of Ulaanbaatar is given. A strong accumulation of Zn and Cd is detected in poplar leaves, with Mo and V found in larch needles. Among the factors responsible for the accumulation of microelements in poplar leaves, the main ones are the altitude (for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn), city sector (V, Pb), functional zone (Cr, Sr), and composition of soils and rocks (Mo). The microelements with a high (Pb, V) and low range (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Sr, Zn) of atmospheric transfer are revealed. Poplar trees are tolerant to pollution, while larch trees suffer a significant deterioration in vital functions under urban conditions.