(BEGIN) Biodiversity of European Grasslands - the impact of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition .
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Life, Health & Chemical Sciences
Abstract
Eutrophication is perhaps the most important threat to European biodiversity. A major source of nutrients to semi-natural ecosystems is atmospheric nitrogen deposition and experiments have suggested that these nutrients may reduce species richness.However, until very recently there was no clear evidence that widespread biodiversity reduction caused by regional air pollution was actually occurring. Stevens et al. (Science, 303, 1876) changed this perception. Described as a 'milestone in global change research', the study (i) showed a dramatic decline in species richness of UK acid grasslands in relation to nitrogen (N) deposition, (ii) linked empirical with experimental research to estimate the timescale of the observed change, and (iii) provided a predictive equation to estimate species richness of similar sites based on N deposition.The current proposal brings together an interdisciplinary team of leading ecologists, biogeochemists and atmospheric chemists to develop and extend this approach. They aim to determine whether N-deposition is seriously impacting species richness on a wider scale across European grasslands and to elucidate the mechanism responsible.We plan to use a multinational and multidisciplinary approach to address the ecological processes that drive biodiversity change in the systems.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
David Gowing (Principal Investigator) | |
Nancy Dise (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Stevens C
(2009)
Identifying indicators of atmospheric nitrogen deposition impacts in acid grasslands
in Biological Conservation
Stevens CJ
(2011)
Addressing the Impact of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition on Western European Grasslands.
in Environmental management
Stevens CJ
(2011)
The impact of nitrogen deposition on acid grasslands in the Atlantic region of Europe.
in Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Stevens CJ
(2009)
Regional trends in soil acidification and exchangeable metal concentrations in relation to acid deposition rates.
in Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Stevens C
(2010)
Contribution of acidification and eutrophication to declines in species richness of calcifuge grasslands along a gradient of atmospheric nitrogen deposition
in Functional Ecology
DUPRÈ C
(2009)
Changes in species richness and composition in European acidic grasslands over the past 70 years: the contribution of cumulative atmospheric nitrogen deposition
in Global Change Biology
Gaudnik C
(2011)
Detecting the footprint of changing atmospheric nitrogen deposition loads on acid grasslands in the context of climate change
in Global Change Biology
Stevens C
(2011)
Changes in species composition of European acid grasslands observed along a gradient of nitrogen deposition Changes in species composition of European acid grasslands
in Journal of Vegetation Science
Pannek A
(2015)
Spatial gradient in nitrogen deposition affects plant species frequency in acidic grasslands.
in Oecologia
Description | The project gathers data from grasslands across Western Europe, from Bordeaux to Bergen. It demonstrated that species richness in grassland was declining in line with the rate of atmospheric nitrogen deposition (a finding that had previously been demonstrated for UK alone.) Our results also indicate that species loss can start at deposition rates below the current "critical load" and that cumulative deposition amounts are probably as important as the prevailing rate in determining species richness. |
Exploitation Route | To protect biodiversity, our results allow organisations to assess the likely impact of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on grassland habitats |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | http://www.esf.org/coordinating-research/eurocores/completed-programmes/eurodiversity/projects/begin.html |
Description | The finding were used by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to issue guidance on habitat management: JNCC Report 447 Collation of evidence of nitrogen impacts on vegetation in relation to UK biodiversity objectives |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |