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

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Abstract

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Open University, MK7 6AA, Milton Keynes, UK

    Nancy B. Dise & J. Stevens

  2. Department of Biology, Villanova University, 19085, Villanova, PA, USA

    Nancy B. Dise

  3. Department of Agricultural Science, Imperial College at Wye, TN25 4NJ, Wye, Ashford, UK

    J. Stevens

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  1. Nancy B. Dise
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  2. J. Stevens
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Correspondence to Nancy B. Dise.

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Dise, N.B., Stevens, J. Nitrogen deposition and reduction of terrestrial biodiversity: Evidence from temperate grasslands. Sci. China Ser. C.-Life Sci. 48 (Suppl 2), 720–728 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03187112

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03187112

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