Main description:

This book provides an up-to-date synthesis of the understanding of the interaction between the emission of nitrogen, its deposition and impact on the most important components of natural and semi-natural ecosystems. The work consists of contributions from internationally renowned research scientists. Individual chapters deal with the factors and processes related to nitrogen deposition and soils, non-forest vegetation communities, forest ecosystems, and surface waters. The assessment of these impacts is discussed in terms of setting critical loads. The book is aimed at researchers, advanced course students and policy makers/advisors involved with aspects of the impact of air pollution.

Contents:

Editor's Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Nitrogen Deposition: Sources, Impacts and Responses in Natural and Semi-Natural Ecosystems; M. Hornung, S.J. Langan. 2. Spatial and Temporal Aspects of Nitrogen Deposition; S.E. Metcalfe, D. Fowler, R.G. Derwent, M.A. Sutton, R.I. Smith, J.D. Whyatt. 3. The Role of Plant and Soil Processes in Determining the Fate of Atmospheric Nitrogen; B.L. Williams, H.A. Anderson. 4. The Impact of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition on Vegetation Processes in Terrestrial, Non-Forest Ecosystems; R. Aerts, R. Bobbink. 5. Factors Influencing Nitrogen Saturation in Forest Ecosystems: Advances in Our Understanding Since the Mid 1980s; E.J. Wilson, B.A. Emmett. 6. The Impact of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition on the Behaviour of Nitrogen in Surface Waters; P.J. Chapman, A.C. Edwards. 7. Derivation of Critical Loads by Steady-State and Dynamic Soil Models; M. Posch, W. De Vries. 8. Progress, Future Directions and Concluding Remarks; S.J. Langan. Index.