Effects and implications
[Ammonia is one of the key pollutants that contribute to nitrogen deposition. Please read the Nitrogen deposition - Fen, Marsh and Swamp record to understand the full impacts effects of nitrogen deposition including ammonia.]
- Fens: Sphagnum species will be vulnerable to direct effects of ammonia.
- Base rich calcicolous fens (BCF): Dominated by calcicolous sedges and brown moss (eg. Scorpidium scorpoides ( Hypnum scorpoides) , but also P-limited, could become negatively affected by ammonium (Paulissen (2004))
Overview: evidence, processes and main impacts
Fens and marshes are characterised by a variety of vegetation types that represent their underlying geology, soil type. Some occur on calcareous soils while others are found on on acid, base poor soils, typically peats (fens) or organo-mineral soils and also impoverished poorly draining mineral soils (purple moor grass and rush pastures). Deposition of ammonia will generally be higher to these ecosystems on sites on acid soils by virtue of it being an alkaline gas.
All the ecosystems are permanently (marsh, swamps and reed beds), seasonally or periodically waterlogged and ground fed i.e. minerotrophic. Thus these systems are not oligotrophic, receiving potentially nutrient rich or polluted water from the surrounding area as surface runoff and precipitation. Because they are usually moist, deposition is potentially high as ammonia is very soluble.
These ecosystems have not been included in manipulation studies, nor are we aware of any transect studies which have described changes that might be attributable to ammonia.
Pollutant type and risk
Form of N | Risk areas |
NH3 | Sites in rural areas with elevated background concentrations. Higher concentrations and dry deposition are found close to point sources e.g. intensive livestock units but also wild animal (e.g. seal and bird colonies). |
Indicators of NH3 effects
- Bleaching of sensitive species e.g. some lichens and bryophytes especially Sphagnum.
Evidence of species specific responses
Species | Response | Reference |
Eriophorum vaginatum | +ve increased cover | Sheppard et al 2011 |
What factors modify N deposition impacts?
- None described
Ammonia :: Higher plants
3 µg NH3 m-3 annual mean (uncertainty of 2-4 µg NH3 m-3)
Direct visible injury; species composition changes. Ecosystems where sensitive lichens and bryophytes are an important part of the ecosystem integrity, the critical level is set at 1 µg NH3 m-3.
Ammonia :: Lichens and Bryophytes
1 µg NH3 m-3 annual mean
Loss of sensitive mosses and lichens communities. Communities become dominated by nitrophiles at the expense and virtual loss of acidophytes as bark pH becomes less acidic.