Nitrogen deposition and reduction of terrestrial biodiversity: evidence from temperate grasslands

Biodiversity is thought to be essential for ecosystem stability, function and long-term sustainability. Since nitrogen is the limiting nutrient for plant growth in many terrestrial ecosystems, reactive nitrogen has the potential to reduce the diversity of terrestrial vegetation and associated biota...

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Published inScience in China. Series C, Life sciences Vol. 48 Suppl 2; pp. 720 - 728
Main Authors Dise, Nancy B, Stevens, Carly J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published China 01.12.2005
Subjects
Agriculture
Biodiversity
Conservation of Natural Resources
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
Europe
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Nitrogen
Poaceae - metabolism
Soil
Time Factors
United Kingdom
British Isles
Europe
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Summary:Biodiversity is thought to be essential for ecosystem stability, function and long-term sustainability. Since nitrogen is the limiting nutrient for plant growth in many terrestrial ecosystems, reactive nitrogen has the potential to reduce the diversity of terrestrial vegetation and associated biota through favouring species adapted to quickly exploiting available nutrients. Although the potential has long been recognised, only recently has enough evidence come together to show beyond reasonable doubt that these changes are already occurring. Linked together, experimental, regional/empirical, and time-series research provide a powerful argument that enhanced deposition of reactive nitrogen across Great Britain, and potentially the rest of Europe, has resulted in a significant and ongoing decline in grassland species richness and diversity.
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ISSN:1006-9305
1862-2798
DOI:10.1360/062005-265