Nitrogen deposition and exceedance of critical loads for nutrient nitrogen in Irish grasslands

Abstract

High resolution nitrogen (N) deposition maps were developed to assess the exceedance of empirical critical loads of nutrient N for grasslands in Ireland. Nitrogen emissions have remained relatively constant during the past 20yrs and are projected to remain constant under current legislation. Total N deposition (estimated as wet nitrate [NO3−] and ammonium [NH4+] plus dry NO× and NH3) ranged from 2 to 22kgNha−1yr−1 (mean=12kgNha−1yr−1) to grasslands. Empirical critical loads for nutrient N were set at 15kgNha−1yr−1 for both acid and calcareous grasslands; exceedance was observed for ~35% (~2311km2) of mapped acid grasslands. In contrast, only ~9% of calcareous grasslands (~35km2) received N deposition in excess of the critical load. Reduced N deposition (primarily dry NH3) represented the dominant form to grasslands (range 55–90%) owing to significant emissions associated with livestock (primarily cattle). The extent of exceedance in acid grasslands suggests that N deposition to this habitat type may lead to adverse impacts such as a decline in plant species diversity and soil acidification. Further, given that elevated N deposition was dominated by NH3 associated with agricultural emissions rather than long-range transboundary sources, future improvements in air quality need to be driven by national policies.