Simulation of Critical Loads for Nitrogen for Terrestrial Plant Communities in The Netherlands

Dobben, H.F. van; Hinsberg, A. van; Schouwenberg, E.P.A.G.; Jansen, M.J.W.; Mol-Dijkstra, J.P.; Wieggers, H.J.J.; Kros, J.; Vries, Wim de

doi:10.1007/s10021-005-0052-3

Cited by 37 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…pH and N availability related to occurrence of plant species (see e.g. Van Dobben et al 2006) may improve estimates of nutrient N critical loads. In this study we have only investigated the uncertainty in critical loads due to the use of different soil chemical criteria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Loads of Sulphur and Nitrogen for Terrestrial Ecosystems in Europe and Northern Asia Using Different Soil Chemical Criteria

Reinds

Posch

Vries

et al. 2008

Water Air Soil Pollut

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A critical load data base was developed for Europe and Northern Asia using the latest data bases on soils, vegetation, climate and forest growth. Critical loads for acidity and nutrient nitrogen for terrestrial ecosystems were computed with the Simple Mass Balance model. The resulting critical loads are in accordance with critical loads from previous global empirical studies, but have a much higher spatial resolution. Critical loads of acidity are sensitive to both the chemical criterion and the critical limit chosen. Therefore a sensitivity analysis of critical loads was performed by employing different chemical criteria. A critical limit based on an acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of zero resulted in critical loads that protect ecosystems against toxic concentrations of aluminium and unfavourable Al/Bc ratios, suggesting that ANC could be an alternative to the commonly used Al/Bc ratio. Critical loads of nutrient nitrogen are sensitive to the specified critical nitrate concentration, especially in areas with a high precipitation surplus. If limits of 3-6 mg N l −1 are used for Western Europe instead of the widely used 0.2 mg N l −1 , critical loads double on average. In low precipitation areas, the increase is less than 50%. The strong dependence on precipitation surplus is a consequence of the simple modelling approach. Future models should explore other nitrogen parameters (such as nitrogen availability) instead of leaching as the factor influencing vegetation changes in terrestrial ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Loads of Sulphur and Nitrogen for Terrestrial Ecosystems in Europe and Northern Asia Using Different Soil Chemical Criteria

Reinds

Posch

Vries

et al. 2008

Water Air Soil Pollut

Self Cite

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“…These modelled critical loads (in CCE database) are based on using critical (acceptable) nitrogen concentrations in soil solution above which adverse impacts occur (such as nutrient imbalances or vegetation change). Van Dobben et al (2006) using a dynamic modelling approach based on SMART2 and selected Ellenberg indicator values evaluated the critical loads for a number of habitat and soil types; for heathlands their mean critical load was 27.7+−7.2 kg N ha −1 year −1 . Heil and Bobbink (1993) using the simulation model CALLUNA showed that for dry heaths in the Netherlands atmospheric nitrogen is the trigger for the transition from heather to grass; from which they determined a critical load of 15 kg N ha −1 year −1 .…”

Section: Comparison With Modelling Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating the Effect of Abiotic Factors on Modifying the Sensitivity of Vegetation to Nitrogen Deposition: An Application of Endorsement Theory

Hall

Wadsworth

2010

Water Air Soil Pollut

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Many natural and semi-natural vegetation communities are sensitive to eutrophication; most eutrophication is caused by human activities. Critical loads have been developed in Europe to provide an effects-based approach to pollutant abatement including nitrogen deposition. Critical loads to protect ecosystems from eutrophication from excess nitrogen are only specified for very broad habitat types (e.g., 'dry heaths') and as a range of values (e.g., between 10 and 20 kg N ha −1 year −1 ). There may be considerable variation in vegetation communities within a broad habitat and there is a requirement (e.g., from conservation agencies, etc.) for more precise critical loads for more clearly specified receptors (habitats, vegetation communities). This paper demonstrates the use of endorsement theory to rationalise incomplete, qualitative and conflicting information on abiotic parameters (e.g., climate, management) that may influence the vegetation response to nitrogen deposition and hence, the critical loads. The endorsement theory approach is tested for 22 heathland community types in the UK (as described by the National Vegetation Classification of Rodwell, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3, 1991) to determine if the critical load for a community should be nearer the upper or lower limit of the published ranges. The results give a 'confident' endorsement for one heath community and a 'likely' endorsement for a further 13 communities for a critical load at the lower limit. The endorsements suggest that the critical load for most heaths should be at the lower end of the range meaning that current estimates of the exceeded area calculated using the mid-point of the range is an underestimate.

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“…Effects of nitrogen deposition on vegetation structure and biodiversity are well known and studied in much detail in the 1980's and 1990's (e.g. Bakker and Berendse, 1999;Bobbink and Roelofs, 1995;Nordin et al, 2005), and also studied in modelling frameworks (e.g., Van Dobben et al, 2006). Critical nitrogen loads of vegetation are used to determine the impacts of nitrogen deposition.…”

Section: Recurrent Costs 231 Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating costs of nature management in the European Union : Exploration modelling for PBL’s Nature Outlook

Verburg¹,

Landuse²,

Hennen³

et al. 2017

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Simulation of Critical Loads for Nitrogen for Terrestrial Plant Communities in The Netherlands

Cited by 37 publications

References 12 publications

Critical Loads of Sulphur and Nitrogen for Terrestrial Ecosystems in Europe and Northern Asia Using Different Soil Chemical Criteria

Critical Loads of Sulphur and Nitrogen for Terrestrial Ecosystems in Europe and Northern Asia Using Different Soil Chemical Criteria

Estimating the Effect of Abiotic Factors on Modifying the Sensitivity of Vegetation to Nitrogen Deposition: An Application of Endorsement Theory

Estimating costs of nature management in the European Union : Exploration modelling for PBL’s Nature Outlook

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