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Dry deposition of ammonia gas drives species change faster than wet deposition of ammonium ions: evidence from a long‐term field manipulation
Author(s) -
Sheppard Lucy J.,
Leith Ian D.,
Mizunuma Toshie,
Neil Cape John,
Crossley Alan,
Leeson Sarah,
Sutton Mark A.,
Dijk Netty,
Fowler David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02478.x
Subject(s) - ombrotrophic , deposition (geology) , ammonium , nitrogen , ammonia , chemistry , environmental chemistry , abiotic component , peat , ecology , bog , biology , paleontology , organic chemistry , sediment
Although the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on species composition are relatively well known, the roles of the different forms of nitrogen, in particular gaseous ammonia ( NH 3 ), have not been tested in the field. Since 2002, we have manipulated the form of N deposition to an ombrotrophic bog, W him, on deep peat in southern S cotland, with low ambient N (wet + dry = 8 kg N ha −1 yr −1 ) and S (4 kg S ha −1 yr −1 ) deposition. A gradient of ammonia ( NH 3 , dry N ), from 70 kg N ha −1 yr −1 down to background, 3–4 kg N ha −1 yr −1 was generated by free air release. Wet ammonium ( NH 4 + , wet N) was provided to replicate plots in a fine rainwater spray ( NH 4 Cl at +8, +24, +56 kg N ha −1 yr −1 ). Automated treatments are coupled to meteorological conditions, in a globally unique, field experiment. Ammonia concentrations were converted to NH 3 ‐ N deposition (kg N ha −1 ) using a site/vegetation specific parameterization. Within 3 years, exposure to relatively modest deposition of NH 3 , 20–56 kg NH 3 ‐N ha −1 yr −1 led to dramatic reductions in species cover, with almost total loss of C alluna vulgaris , S phagnum capillifolium and C ladonia portentosa . These effects appear to result from direct foliar uptake and interaction with abiotic and biotic stresses, rather than via effects on the soil. Additional wet N by contrast, significantly increased C alluna cover after 5 years at the 56 kg N dose, but reduced cover of S phagnum and C ladonia . Cover reductions caused by wet N were significantly different from and much smaller than those caused by equivalent dry N doses. The effects of gaseous NH 3 described here, highlight the potential for ammonia to destroy acid heathland and peat bog ecosystems. Separating the effects of gaseous ammonia and wet ammonium deposition, for a peat bog, has significant implications for regulatory bodies and conservation agencies.