Skip to main content
Log in

Comparison of the Effects of Wet N Deposition (NH4Cl) and Dry N Deposition (NH3) on UK Moorland Species

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Increases in N deposition (wet and dry) have been associated with a decline in semi-natural plant communities, adapted for growth on nutrient poor soils in the UK and Europe. The impacts of N deposition applied as either wet NH4 + or gaseous NH3 on vegetation (7 species) from acid moorland in SE Scotland were compared in a dose-response study. Wet N deposition at 0, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 kg N ha−1 y−1 was applied as NH4Cl, and dry deposition as gaseous NH3 (2, 6, 20, 50, 90 µg NH3 m−3) under controlled conditions in open-top chambers. A strong linear dose-response relationship (p<0.05) was found between foliar N content in all seven plant species and applied NH4−N. However, in the NH3 treatment, only C. vulgaris and P. commune showed a significant response to increasing N additions. NH3 was found to increase the rate of water loss in Calluna in both autumn and winter by comparison with wet deposition. For Eriophorum vaginatum, the NH3 and NH4 + treatments showed significant N dose response relationships for biomass. A significant increase in above ground biomass, proportional to the added N, was found for Narthecium ossifragum when N was applied as NH3 compared to NH4 +.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bobbink, R., Hornung, M. and Roelofs, J.G.M. (1996). In: Manual of Methodologies and Criteria for Mapping Critical Levels/Loads and Geographical Areas where they are Exceeded. UN-ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary air pollution, Federal Environmental Agency, Berlin.

  • Caporn, S.J.M., Risager, M. and Lee, J.A.: 1994, New Phytologist 128, 461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, J.A., Caporn, S.J.M., Cawley. L., Read, D.J. and Lee, J.A.: 1999, New Phytologist 141, 423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erisman, J.W., van Elzakker, B.G., Mennen, M.G., Hogenkamp, J Zwart, E., van den Beld, L., Romer, F.G., Bobbink, R., Heil, G., Raessen, J.H., Duyzer, J.H., Verhage, H., Wyers, G.P., Otjes, R.P. and Mols, J.J.: 1994, Atmospheric Pollution 28, 487.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flechard, C.R and Fowler, D.: 1998, Quartery Journal Royal Meteorological Society, 124, 733.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, D., Pitcairn, C.E.R., Sutton, M.A., Flechard, C., Loubet, B., Cape, J.N. and Munro, R.C 1998, Environmental Pollution 102,S1, 41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, D., Cape, N.J., Deans, J.D., Leith, I.D., Murray, M.B., Smith, R.I., Sheppard, L.J and Unsworth, M.H.: 1989, New Phytologist 113, 321

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimshaw, H.M., Allen, S.E. and Parkinson, J.A. 1989. Nutrient elements. In: Chemical analysis of ecological materials (2nd ed.), edited by S.E. Allen, 81–159. Blackwell Scientific Publications: Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leith, I.D., Hicks, W.K., Fowler, D. and Woodin, S.J.: 1999, New Phytologist 141, 277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitcairn, C.E.R., Fowler, D. and Grace, J.: 1995, Environmental Pollution 88, 193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitcairn, C.E.R., Leith, I.D., Sheppard, L.J., Sutton, M.A., Fowler, D., Munro, R.C., Tang, S. and Wilson, D.: 1998, Environmental Pollution. 102,S1, 41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Power, S.A., Ashmore, M.R. and Cousins, D.A.: 1998, New Pytologist 138, 663.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton, M.A., Pitcairn, C.E.R. and Fowler, D.: 1993, Advances in Ecological Resources, 24, 301

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton, M.A., Fowler, D., Burkhardt, J.K. and Milford, C.: 1995, Water, Air and Soil Pollution 85, 2057.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton, M.A. Tang, Y.S., Miners, B.P., Coyle, M., Smith, R.I., and Fowler, D.; 1998, Final Report to DETR. Results of National Ammonia Monitoring Network. London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thijsse, G and Baas, P.: 1990, Trees 4, 111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Eerden, L.J., Dueck, T.A., Berdowski, J.J.M, Gevan, H. and van Dobben, H.F.: 1991, Acta Botanica Neerlandica 40, 281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verhoeven, J.T.A, Koerselman, W. and Meuleman, A.F.M.: 1996, Trees 11, 494.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leith, I.D., Sheppard, L.J., Pitcairn, C.E. et al. Comparison of the Effects of Wet N Deposition (NH4Cl) and Dry N Deposition (NH3) on UK Moorland Species. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 130, 1043–1048 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013960329208

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013960329208

Navigation