Abstract

This chapter reports the findings of a Working Group to review the critical loads (CLs) and levels approach for nitrogen (N). The three main approaches to estimating CLs are empirical, mass balance and dynamic modelling. Examples are given of recent developments in Europe, North America and Asia and it is concluded that other countries should be encouraged to develop basic assessments using soil, land cover, and deposition map overlays in order to determine what regions might exceed nitrogen CLs. There is a need for increasing the certainty of critical load (CL) estimates by focusing on empirical data needs, especially for understudied ecosystems such as tropical or Mediterranean, high elevation environments, and aquatic systems. There is also a need to improve steady-state mass balance parameters, especially soil solution terms, such as nitrate leaching, used to determine the CL, and denitrification, which is an equation parameter. Improved dynamic models are needed for predicting plant community changes, and work should continue on existing models to determine CL values. Dynamic models require more data and are more complex than simple calculated CLs but offer more information and allow the development of ‘what if?’ scenarios. Optimal use of CLs requires expert knowledge of ecosystem values to provide reference states so that safe deposition amounts can be determined. Increased interaction between CL and biodiversity specialists to identify critical biodiversity limits would help provide better CL assessments.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.