Nitrogen deposition threatens species richness of grasslands across Europe

Stevens, Carly and Dupre, C. and Dorland, E. and Gaudnik, C. and Gowing, D.J.G. and Bleeker, A. and Diekmann, M. and Alard, D. and Bobbink, R. and Fowler, D. and Corcket, E. and Mountford, J.O. and Vandvik, V. and Aarrestad, P.A. and Muller, S. and Dise, N.B. (2010) Nitrogen deposition threatens species richness of grasslands across Europe. Environmental Pollution, 158 (9). pp. 2940-2945. ISSN 0269-7491

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Abstract

Evidence from an international survey in the Atlantic biogeographic region of Europe indicates that chronic nitrogen deposition is reducing plant species richness in acid grasslands. Across the deposition gradient in this region (2–44 kg N ha−1 yr−1) species richness showed a curvilinear response, with greatest reductions in species richness when deposition increased from low levels. This has important implications for conservation policies, suggesting that to protect the most sensitive grasslands resources should be focussed where deposition is currently low. Soil pH is also an important driver of species richness indicating that the acidifying effect of nitrogen deposition may be contributing to species richness reductions. The results of this survey suggest that the impacts of nitrogen deposition can be observed over a large geographical range.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Environmental Pollution
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/ge
Subjects:
?? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCEPOLLUTIONHEALTH, TOXICOLOGY AND MUTAGENESISTOXICOLOGYGE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ??
ID Code:
53753
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
25 Apr 2012 11:36
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Sep 2023 01:03