Scoping future research for air pollution recovery indicators (APRI). (Workshop report)

Perring, M.P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8553-4893; Rowe, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4784-7236; Arrigoni, E.; Bidartondo, M.I.; Britton, A.J.; Field, C.; Gilliam, F.; Grenier, M.; Hayes, F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1037-5725; Jones, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4379-9006; Jones, M.R.; Kowal, J.; Marcham, L.; Risser, H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9819-1092; Stevens, C.; Suz, L.M.; Wilkins, K.; Howlett, R.; Zappala, S.; Simpson, C.; Russell, Z.. 2024 Scoping future research for air pollution recovery indicators (APRI). (Workshop report). Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (JNCC Report 757)

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Abstract/Summary

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) pollution is a major and ongoing cause of biodiversity loss across the UK, but in some locations N pollution pressures have been declining. In response to these dynamics, JNCC requested a workshop to help to scope Phase 2 of the Air Pollution Recovery Indicators (APRI) project. The damaging effects of excess N load and of gaseous ammonia on many ecosystems are clear. However, the processes and timescales of ecosystem recovery following a decrease in pollution pressure are less well understood. The APRI project aims to take practical steps to fill this knowledge gap by delivering new scientific research focused on indicators of ecosystem and species recovery from N pollution. In Phase 1, predominantly below-ground responses are being studied at a dry heathland site where experimental additions of N were made between 1998 and 2011, revealing lingering effects on soil chemistry, the soil fungi community and vegetation structure (Kowal et al. 2024). The effect on mycorrhizal fungi, and using these fungi as recovery indicators, is being examined in more detail with recently established assessment methods (Arrigoni et al. 2023). Phase 2 of APRI will consider recovery from N impacts more broadly, e.g. by studying other habitats or species. Further empirical research may be commissioned to better understand recovery pathways from air pollution. A workshop was held on 7–8 November 2023 to help develop an action plan for the remainder of the APRI project. This report summarises the workshop discussion and ensuing work. We note that the focus of the APRI project is on assessing recovery. It is therefore essential to contrast responses of ecosystems subject to decreased pollution pressure with indicators from ecosystems experiencing ongoing pollution. Properties that have been used previously to assess impacts can be used to understand recovery, and novel indicators of ecosystem change are also likely to be useful for assessing recovery. Whatever indicators are chosen to assess change, benchmarking data will be needed to assess the range of potential values and relationships with N deposition. Results from the workshop and subsequent discussions include: • Eleven criteria to help choose appropriate indicators in relation to declining N deposition: Speed of response, Sensitivity of response, Specificity of response, Generality to multiple habitats, Relatedness to recovery endpoints, Previous use, Breadth of pollution gradient, Added value to other policy areas, Resilience in face of anticipated change, Feasibility of collection, Measurement uncertainty. • The need to consider a basket of indicators to indicate recovery from N pollution. Such a basket could include examples from different categories e.g. indicators of pressure, biogeochemical response indicators, and biotic response indicators, with individual indicators likely responding over different timescales. The exact choice may depend on the habitat concerned and the availability of prior data, as well as the question being posed and/or policy goal. • Explicit recommendations on sites to target in APRI Phase 2 to gain information on recovery indicator trajectories, namely (i) well-designed field experiments where N addition has ceased, and (ii) point sources of emissions that have ceased to operate, preferably with a super-imposition of an experimental treatment or treatments. Given uncertainties associated with modelled historical, contemporary, and future N deposition and the potential for confounding variables, analysing survey data from across the UK will be unlikely to provide robust information within the timeframes of the APRI Phase 2. We recommend further assessments may help develop detailed plans for empirical work in Phase 2 of APRI. Potential next steps are to: • Finalise a list of potential and priority indicators of recovery from air pollution (which may differ by habitat type), specifically from high levels of N deposition and/or high atmospheric reactive N concentrations. This finalisation could be done through active participation of the air pollution community and the completion of ‘live’ spreadsheets that address potential indicator criteria. • Summarise relevant data on recovery indicators, across key semi-natural habitats. This summary should include data available from other countries with similar environmental contexts, to help disentangle drivers of change in the UK context. This evidence will help understand recovery pathways from air pollution. As above, this could be done through the active participation of the air pollution community and the completion of ‘live’ spreadsheets. Such an approach could also enable gap analyses, for example identifying where we are missing information by habitat and/or environmental conditions. • Identify areas where co-located monitoring of N with existing habitat/species monitoring could enhance the likelihood for establishing recovery indicators. This should enhance other similar activity such as through the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme and the UK Air Pollution Impacts on Ecosystems Networks (APIENs). • Develop a list of priority habitats and sites where empirical research is needed to better understand recovery pathways, including a gap analysis of habitats, methods and/or indicators. • Encourage activities that enhance understanding of ammonia emission sources at local scale (e.g. 1 km or less), to help better identify areas where N pollution has decreased, and recovery might be detected. This could include intensive monitoring or collating and sharing information about permitted N sources. • Develop case studies, including potentially from APRI Phase 1, to demonstrate how existing evidence on localised recovery in semi-natural habitats of conservation importance can be used by policy- and decision-makers to help drive policy toward continued reductions in emissions of reactive N.

Item Type:	Publication - Report (Project Report)
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-) Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0963-8091
Funders/Sponsors:	Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access report - full text available via Official URL link.
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	24 Jun 2024 15:29 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537618

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