Eco‐physiological responses of Calamagrostis epigejos L (Roth) and Solidago gigantea Aition to complex environmental stresses in coal‐mine spoil heaps.

We present a study of short and long‐term responses of photosynthetic apparatus and anti‐oxidant capacity to complex abiotic stresses of Calamagrostis epigejos and Solidago gigantea commonly occurring in seminatural habitats and novel ecosystems of coal‐mine spoil heaps. Drought/salinity and elevated temperature were dominant abiotic stressors triggering both species‐ and habitat‐specific responses, confirmed by ChlF induction curves analysis. Although in both species a decrease in net photosynthetic rate (A) and transpiration rate (E) in spoil heap were observed, Ce showed higher (A) on both habitats in comparison to Sg. Moreover, we found higher H2O2 concentration in Sg leaves as compared to Ce leaves, large differences in catalase (CAT) activity and the reverse pattern of lipid peroxidation in Sg and Ce populations, suggesting species‐specific differences in antioxidative mechanisms. The Sg individuals developed structural and functional adaptations to protect PSA against drought/salinity stresses (lower leaf chlorophyll, higher flavonoids content, ChlF parameters: Vi, Vj, dVG/dto). The Ce populations have higher values of JIP parameters related to the electron transfer site within PSI. Mechanisms of plant species adaptation to industrial areas are crucial for species selection and planning effective reclamation of them. In novel ecosystems of spoil heaps both species responded differently to complex abiotic stresses in comparison to seminatural ones that enable them to gain success on both sites. They can spontaneously colonize such areas, create permanent plant cover, and produce large amounts of biomass. Further research on plant traits response and adaptation to complex environmental stresses on industrial habitats are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]