Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Pitcairn, C.E.R
• Fowler, D
• Leith, I.D
• Sheppard, L.J
• Sutton, M.A
• Kennedy, V
• Okello, E

Titel

Bioindicators of enhanced nitrogen deposition

Ist Teil von

• Environmental pollution (1987), 2003-12, Vol.126 (3), p.353-361

Ort / Verlag

Oxford: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2003

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Increased deposition of atmospheric N largely from intensive agriculture is affecting biodiversity and the composition of natural and semi-natural vegetation in Europe. The value of species based bioindicators such as the Ellenberg N index and measurements of total tissue N and free amino acids in key plant species, is described with reference to a mixed woodland downwind of a livestock farm in the Scottish Borders, operated for over 20 years with a measured spatial gradient of ammonia concentration (29–1.5 μg m −3). All the indicators examined showed a relationship with N deposition and provided some indication of vegetation change. Total tissue N and arginine concentrations were most closely linked with ammonia concentrations and N deposition, with r 2 values of >0.97 and >0.78 respectively. Tissue N and amino acid concentrations in mosses are good indicators of enhanced N deposition.