Study Reveals Surprising Impact of Nitrogen Pollution on European Forest Plants.
A new study has identified a surprising factor influencing the movement of forest plants in Europe: nitrogen pollution from the atmosphere.
Researchers discovered that, while many believe climate change is the primary cause for species migrating northward in search of cooler habitats, a significant number of plants are actually moving westward at a faster pace due to excess nitrogen.
Some plants, like common wood sorrel, are migrating west at speeds of about 5 kilometers per year. High nitrogen levels, particularly from pollution, support nitrogen-loving species, allowing them to spread rapidly and often displace more specialized plants in areas with heavy nitrogen deposition. This westward migration occurs at an average speed of 3.56 kilometers per year, which is 2.6 times faster than the northward movement. This trend is changing the makeup of some of Europe’s most famous forests.
The study examined 266 forest plant species over several decades and found that nearly 40% are shifting west, while only 15% are moving north. Among the forests studied is the renowned Białowieża Forest in Poland.
These findings are crucial for policymakers and conservationists. They highlight the need to address the impact of nitrogen pollution when creating strategies to protect biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The study emphasizes the complex interactions between various environmental factors, including nitrogen pollution and climate change, which are reshaping biodiversity across Europe.
The research titled “Unexpected Westward Range Shifts in European Forest Plants Linked to Nitrogen Deposition” was published in the journal Science.
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