In this paper we compare a many-year behavior of the surface ozone concentration (SOC) and solar activity (radio-frequency emission at 10.7 cm). It is revealed that the behavior of SOC retraces the solar activity with a 2 to 3 years time lag. Analysis of possible causes of such a lag calls for a conclusion that it can be due to transient process of the vegetation response to the variations in the UV-B radiation income. It is known that vegetation produces up to one third of the ozone-forming substances. Therefore the comparison of long-term behavior of SOC and normalized vegetation index (NVI) was done that showed a good correlation between their dynamics.