Electronic versions

  • Kirsten Wyness
    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Centre for Ecology Hydrology
    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Centre for Ecology Hydrology
    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Newcastle University;
    Newcastle University
  • Davey L. Jones
The combined impacts of simulated increased nitrogen (N) deposition (75 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and increasing background ozone (O3) were studied using two mesotrophic grassland species (Dactylis glomerata and Ranunculus acris) in solardomes, by means of eight O3 treatments ranging from 15.5 ppb to 92.7 ppb (24 h average mean). A–Ci curves were constructed for each species to gauge effects on photosynthetic efficiency and capacity, and effects on biomass partitioning were determined after 14 weeks. Increasing the background concentration of O3 reduced the healthy above ground and root biomass of both species, and increased senesced biomass. N fertilisation increased biomass production in D. glomerata, and a significantly greater than additive effect of O3 and N on root biomass was evident. In contrast, R. acris biomass was not affected by high N. The study shows the combined effects of these pollutants have differential implications for carbon allocation patterns in common grassland species.

Keywords

  • Ozone, Nitrogen, Root:shoot ratio, Grassland, Carbon allocation
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2493-2499
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume159
Issue number10
Early online date8 Jul 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2011
View graph of relations