Effects of air pollution from road transport on growth and physiology of six transplanted bryophyte species.
Motor vehicles emit a cocktail of pollutants; however, little is known about the effects of these pollutants on bryophytes located in roadside habitats. Six bryophyte species were transplanted to either a woodland or a moorland site adjacent to a motorway, and were monitored over sevenmonths from autumn through to spring. All species showed an increase in one or more of the following near the motorway: growth, membrane leakage, chlorophyll concentration, and nitrogen concentration. The strongest effects were observed in the first 50-100 m from the motorway: this was consistent with the nitrogen dioxide pollution profile, which decreased to background levels at a distance of 100-125 m. It is hypothesised that motor vehicle pollution was responsible for the effects observed, and that nitrogen oxides had a key influence. The observed effects may lead to changes in vegetation composition with significant implications for nature conservation and management of roadside sites.
Bignal
Keeley L
KL
Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK. k.bignal@sussex.ac.uk
Ashmore
Mike R
MR
Headley
Alistair D
AD
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D044002:Bryophyta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D004739:England; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000633:toxicity*; D014197:Trees; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity*; D053833:Wetlands
D000393:Air Pollutants; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D002734:Chlorophyll; D009584:Nitrogen