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20 - Nitrogen as a threat to European terrestrial biodiversity
- from Part IV - Managing nitrogen in relation to key societal threats
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- By Nancy B. Dise, Manchester Metropolitan University, Mike Ashmore, University of York, Salim Belyazid, Belyazid Consulting and Communication AB, Albert Bleeker, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, Roland Bobbink, Radboud University, Wim de Vries, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Jan Willem Erisman, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, Till Spranger, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Carly J. Stevens, Open University, Leon van den Berg, Radboud University Nijmegen
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 463-494
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- Chapter
- Export citation
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms, from genes to the biosphere. The value of biodiversity is multifold, from preserving the integrity of the biosphere as a whole, to providing food and medicines, to spiritual and aesthetic well-being.
One of the major drivers of biodiversity loss in Europe is atmospheric deposition of reactive nitrogen (Nr).
Approaches
This chapter focuses on Nr impacts on European plant species diversity; in particular, the number and abundance of different species in a given area, and the presence of characteristic species of sensitive ecosystems.
We summarise both the scientific and the policy aspects of Nr impacts on diversity and identify, using a range of evidence, the most vulnerable ecosystems and regions in Europe.
Key findings/state of knowledge
Reactive nitrogen impacts vegetation diversity through direct foliar damage, eutrophication, acidification, and susceptibility to secondary stress.
Species and communities most sensitive to chronically elevated Nr deposition are those that are adapted to low nutrient levels, or are poorly buffered against acidification. Grassland, heathland, peatland, forest, and arctic/montane ecosystems are recognised as vulnerable habitats in Europe; other habitats may be vulnerable but are still poorly studied.
It is not yet clear if different wet-deposited forms of Nr (e.g. nitrate, NO3− versus ammonium, NH4+) have different effects on biodiversity. However, gaseous ammonia (NH3) can be particularly harmful to vegetation, especially lower plants, through direct foliar damage.
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