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| Titel |
Impacts of nitrogen deposition on vascular plants in Britain: an analysis of two national observation networks |
| VerfasserIn |
P. A. Henrys, C. J. Stevens, S. M. Smart, L. C. Maskell, K. J. Walker, C. D. Preston, A. Crowe, E. C. Rowe, D. J. Gowing, B. A. Emmett |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1726-4170
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Biogeosciences ; 8, no. 12 ; Nr. 8, no. 12 (2011-12-01), S.3501-3518 |
| Datensatznummer |
250006236
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/bg-8-3501-2011.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Large areas of Great Britain currently have nitrogen (N) deposition at rates
which exceed the thresholds above which there is risk of damage to sensitive
components of the ecosystem (critical loads). Previous studies have focussed
primarily on the relationship of species richness to nitrogen, whereas here
we look at individual species. We used data from two national observation
networks over Great Britain to examine the response of individual vascular
plant species to N in acid grasslands, calcareous grasslands and heathlands.
Presence absence records of individual species, along with mean Ellenberg N
scores, within 10 km hectads were modelled against N deposition whilst at the
same time controlling for the effects of climate, land use and sulphur
deposition using generalised additive models. Ellenberg N showed a
significant increase with increasing N deposition in almost all habitats
across both surveys indicating increased fertility. Many individual species
showed strong relationships with N deposition and clear negative trends in
species prevalence to increasing nitrogen were found in all habitats. A
number of these species were either habitat dominants or possessed traits
known to be influential in controlling ecosystem function. Many community
dominants showing significant negative relationships with N deposition
highlight a potentially significant loss of function. Some species that
showed negative relationships to N showed signs of decline at low levels,
far below the current critical load levels. Some species also showed
continuous changes as N deposition levels rose above the current critical
load values. This work contributes to the growing evidence base suggesting
species level impacts at low N deposition values. |
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