Diversity and sensitivity of epiphytes to oxides of nitrogen in London |
| |
Authors: | Davies L Bates J W Bell J N B James P W Purvis O W |
| |
Institution: | Centre for Environmental Policy, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK. linda.davies@imperial.ac.uk |
| |
Abstract: | This study investigated the distribution and diversity of epiphytes in London in relation to NO(x) using fine-scale atmospheric dispersion modelling. The survey recorded over 3000 epiphytes from 334 trees (Fraxinus excelsior) representing 74 lichen, 14 moss, 7 fungal and 3 algal species. There was a significant inverse relationship between diversity and NO(x). Diversity declined where NO(x) exceeded 70 microg m(-3) and NO2 exceeded 40 microg m(-3), suggesting a phytotoxic effect. However, there was a significant positive relationship between NO(x) and lichen abundance due to the ubiquitous distribution of pollution tolerant species, mainly associated with eutrophication. A scale of lichen sensitivity to NO(x) has been derived. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|