27 research outputs found
Social participation and heat-related behavior in older adults during heat waves and on other days
Public Perceptions and Support of Renewable Energy in North America in the Context of Global Climate Change
Estimating the effect of abiotic factors on modifying the sensitivity of vegetation to nitrogen deposition: an application of endorsement theory
Abstract: Many natural and semi-natural vegetation communities are sensitive to eutrophication; most
eutrophication is caused by human activities. Critical loads have been developed in Europe to provide
an effects-based approach to pollutant abatement including nitrogen deposition. Critical loads to
protect ecosystems from eutrophication from excess nitrogen are only specified for very broad habitat
types (eg "dry heaths") and as a range of values (eg between 10 and 20 kg N ha-1 yr-1). There may be
considerable variation in vegetation communities within a broad habitat and there is a requirement
(eg. from conservation agencies etc.) for more precise critical loads for more clearly specified receptors
(habitats, vegetation communities). This paper demonstrates the use of Endorsement Theory to
rationalise incomplete, qualitative and conflicting information on abiotic parameters (eg, climate,
management) that may influence the vegetation response to nitrogen deposition and hence the critical
loads. The results are shown for 22 heaths described in the National Vegetation Classification,
identifying whether the critical load should be nearer the upper or lower limit of the published ranges.
The policy implications for critical loads exceedance for European Dry Heaths are also discussed