Biogenic volatile organic substances of forests and their influence on climate

Abstract

The article analyzes and summarizes data of scientific publications related to biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) of forests, their impact on atmospheric processes and climate. Studies of BVOCs of forests attracted the attention of many scientists ruring recent decades, including such aspects asmechanisms of synthesis and emissions, chemical composition, influence of biotic and abiotic factors. It was noted that during processes of their life activities, higher plants emit volatile organic substances into the air, which affects the chemical composition and physical state of the atmosphere, and adaptation of forests to ecological stress associated with climate change. BVOCs play a key role in the ozone formation and quenching, resulting in the formation of oxidation products — secondary organic aerosols that scatter sunlight and affect the formation of clouds and, ultimately, the climate. The need to take into account the functional dynamics of BVOCs at the ecosystem level is demonstrated: from the interaction of different types of ecosystems to the degradation of atmospheric compounds and potential functions of products of their reactions.

Keywords

• biogenic volatile organic substances of plants
• climate change
• ecosystem
• environmental stress
• forests
• lipophilic substances
• ozone
• secondary organic aerosols
• terpenoids