First Europe-wide correlation analysis identifying factors best explaining the total nitrogen concentration in mosses

Schröder, Winfried; Holy, Marcel; Pesch, Roland; Harmens, Harry; Fagerli, Hilde; Alber, Renate; Coşkun, Mahmut; De Temmerman, Ludwig; Frolova, Marina; González-Miqueo, Laura; Jeran, Zvonka; Kubin, Eero; Leblond, Sébastien; Liiv, Siiri; Maňkovská, Blanka; Piispanen, Juha; Santamaría, Jesus M.; Simonèiè,, Primoz; Suchara, Ivan; Yurukova, Lilyana; Thöni, Lotti; Zechmeister, Harald G.. 2010 First Europe-wide correlation analysis identifying factors best explaining the total nitrogen concentration in mosses. Atmospheric Environment, 44. 3485-3491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.06.024

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.06.024

Abstract/Summary

In this study, the indicative value of mosses as biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen (N) depositions and air concentrations on the one hand and site-specific and regional factors which explain best the total N concentration in mosses on the other hand were investigated for the first time at a European scale using correlation analyses. The analyses included data from mosses collected from 2781 sites across Europe within the framework of the European moss survey 2005/6, which was coordinated by the International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops (ICP Vegetation). Modelled atmospheric N deposition and air concentration data were calculated using the Unified EMEP Model of the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). The modelled deposition and concentration data encompass various N compounds. In order to assess the correlations between moss tissue total N concentrations and the chosen predictors, Spearman rank correlation analysis and Classification and Regression Trees (CART) were applied. The Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the total N concentration in mosses and modelled N depositions and air concentrations are significantly correlated (0.53 ≤ rs ≤ 0.68, p < 0.001). Correlations with other predictors were lower than 0.55. The CART analysis indicated that the variation in the total N concentration in mosses was best explained by the variation in NH4+ concentrations in air, followed by NO2 concentrations in air, sampled moss species and total dry N deposition. The total N concentrations in mosses mirror land use-related atmospheric concentrations and depositions of N across Europe. In addition to already proven associations to measured N deposition on a local scale the study at hand gives a scientific prove on the association of N concentration in mosses and modelled deposition at the European scale.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.06.024
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.3 - Deliver effective advice, models and applied science ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett
ISSN:	1352-2310
Additional Keywords:	biomonitoring, correlation, deposition, moss, nitrogen
NORA Subject Terms:	Atmospheric Sciences
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date made live:	26 Aug 2010 09:38 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/9627

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.06.024

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.3 - Deliver effective advice, models and applied science ...

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Emmett

ISSN:

1352-2310

Additional Keywords:

biomonitoring, correlation, deposition, moss, nitrogen