Journal
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Volume 155, Issue 3, Pages 492-511Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.03.019
Keywords
ecosystem protection; atmospheric deposition; epiphytic lichens; biomonitoring; nitrogen saturation; harmful effects
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Empirical critical loads (CL) for N deposition were determined from changes in epiphytic lichen communities, elevated NO3- leaching in streamwater, and reduced fine root biomass in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) at sites with varying N deposition. The CL for lichen community impacts of 3.1 kg ha(-1) year(-1) is expected to protect all components of the forest ecosystem from the adverse effects of N deposition. Much of the western Sierra Nevada is above the lichen-based CL, showing significant changes in lichen indicator groups. The empirical N deposition threshold and that simulated by the DayCent model for enhanced NO(3)(-)leaching were 17 kg N ha(-1) year(-1). DayCent estimated that elevated NO3- leaching in the San Bernardino Mountains began in the late 1950s. Critical values for litter C:N (34. 1). ponderosa pine foliar N (1.1%). and N concentrations (1.0%) in the lichen Letharia vulpina ((L.) Hue) are indicative of CL exceedance. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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