Transcript Ozone Effects to Plants ROMO

Ozone and Nitrogen Concerns in
Western National Parks
Chris Shaver
Air Resources Division
National Park Service
WRAP Meeting
Nov 11, 2009
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Southwestern sites have been around 70ppb for many years
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Ozone Effects to Vegetation
Normal leaf
How does ozone affect
sensitive species?
Ozone-injured leaf
Aspen
- Visible symptoms
- Physiological symptoms
•Reduced photosynthesis
•Reduced growth
- Acute vs. chronic injury
Ponderosa
pine
Potential Ecological Effects
from Ozone
NITROGEN: Too Much of a Good
Thing
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Increasing Wet Nitrogen Deposition Trends
Wet nitrate concentration
deposition trends
Wet ammonium concentration
deposition trends
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Early Signs of Ecological Shift
Changes in aquatic plant species occur as
nitrogen increases in previously undisturbed
systems.
• Recent papers published in Science and
Ecology describes broader ecological effects
from shifts in diatoms
• Nitrogen loving species are less nutritious –
junk food for other aquatic life
• Described as raising a growing teenager on
marshmallows
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Ecosystem Thresholds and Critical Loads
“Critical Loads” is a term used
to describe:
• Has air pollution reached a
tipping point (threshold) for
effects on plants, animals,
soils, or water?
• What amount of N or S
deposition causes that tipping
point?
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Implementation Strategy and Continuing
Evaluation
•
Near term:
– Existing and planned NOx reduction measures will be implemented
– NOx strategies will be developed
– Agricultural BMPs accepted by the industry will be broadly implemented in
Colorado
– Ammonia emissions will be better characterized
– Modeling and assessment activities will proceed
•
Longer term:
– Ammonia-reducing agricultural BMPs will be researched, field tested
• MOU agencies will work with producers to implement BMPs that are shown to be cost-effective
– Ammonia-reducing BMPs and emission reduction programs for urban sources
and water treatment facilities will be researched and implemented
• Urban fertilizer usage research began this Spring
– Education/outreach to the agricultural sector, industrial groups and the public
will occur
– Additional NOx strategies, voluntary and regulatory, will be considered
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Ecological Effects of N Deposition /Critical Loads
Projects- Western US
Rocky Mtn –Alpine plant
changes in biodiversity from
N deposition
AK, WA,OR, YosemiteLichen changes in
biodiversity from N air
conc and deposition
Sierra Nevada, Yellowstone,
Glacier, Grand Teton, Great
Sand Dunes- Aquatic
ecosystem health (diatom
species shifts) from N dep.
Joshua Tree, Craters of the
Moon, (& proposed for 4
corners) Excess N increases in
invasive grass species/fire
frequency/biodiversity
Our Place on the Planet
We are here
For More Information
http://www.nature.nps.gov/air
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Photo: USGS