title: The impact of nitrogen deposition on acid grasslands in the Atlantic region of Europe.
abstract: A survey of 153 acid grasslands from the Atlantic biogeographic region of Europe indicates that chronic nitrogen deposition is changing plant species composition and soil and plant-tissue chemistry. Across the deposition gradient (2-44 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) grass richness as a proportion of total species richness increased whereas forb richness decreased. Soil C:N ratio increased, but soil extractable nitrate and ammonium concentrations did not show any relationship with nitrogen deposition. The above-ground tissue nitrogen contents of three plant species were examined: Agrostis capillaris (grass), Galium saxatile (forb) and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (bryophyte). The tissue nitrogen content of neither vascular plant species showed any relationship with nitrogen deposition, but there was a weak positive relationship between R. squarrosus nitrogen content and nitrogen deposition. None of the species showed strong relationships between above-ground tissue N:P or C:N and nitrogen deposition, indicating that they are not good indicators of deposition rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK. c.j.stevens@open.ac.uk
authors.forename: Carly J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duprè
authors.forename: Edu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dorland
authors.forename: Cassandre
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gaudnik
authors.forename: David J G
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gowing
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bleeker
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diekmann
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alard
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bobbink
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corcket
authors.forename: J Owen
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Mountford
authors.forename: Vigdis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vandvik
authors.forename: Per Arild
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Aarrestad
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Nancy B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Dise
mesh_terms: D031703:Agrostis / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D044822:Biodiversity; D044002:Bryophyta / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D032061:Galium / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D009584:Nitrogen