Journal
PLANT ECOLOGY
Volume 172, Issue 1, Pages 27-39Publisher
KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL
DOI: 10.1023/B:VEGE.0000026029.95954.04
Keywords
dwarf shrubs; herbaceous; ozone; sensitivity
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The increasing tropospheric ozone (O-3) concentration constitutes a potential threat to nature. Plants are known to react to O-3, but knowledge of the sensitivity and type of responses of different species and plant communities is widely lacking. This review focuses on the ecological effects of O-3 on northern wild field layer plant species. Most of the 65 species examined thus far have proven to be quite tolerant of O-3. Visible symptoms were observed in 54% of the 61 species studied, and growth reduction in 31% of the 55 species studied for growth. There were no signs to suggest that certain families or vegetation types are more sensitive or tolerant than others. There were, however, clear differences in sensitivity between the different species. It seems that forbs are usually more sensitive than grasses. It should be kept in mind, however, that we still lack knowledge on the responses of many common and abundant key species. The long-term effects are also far from clear. Hardly any field examinations have been carried out on the effects of O-3 on plant communities.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available