A Subalpine Meadow on Niwot Ridge (IMAGE)
Caption
An analysis of the relationship between herbaceous plant diversity and anthropogenic nitrogen deposition across the United States by Simkin et al. using a survey of over 15,000 plots indicates that around 24% of the sites examined are likely to lose species as a result of this pollution. The loss of diversity appears to be most acute in non-forested areas with acidic soils, such as the meadow shown here. The results indicate that species losses are ongoing in many plant communities, and that the environmental context of the site, including soil pH, precipitation, and temperature, influences the vulnerability of communities to diversity loss, and should be taken into account in setting air quality standards.
Credit
Image courtesy of William D. Bowman, University of Colorado, Boulder
Usage Restrictions
None
License
Licensed content