Meta-analysis of the relative sensitivity of semi-natural vegetation species to ozone

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 146; no. 3; pp. 754 - 762
• Main Authors: Hayes, F., Jones, M.L.M., Mills, G., Ashmore, M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: air pollution; Altitude; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; elevated atmospheric gases; Ellenberg indicator value; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Monitoring - methods; flowering; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; habitats; leaves; Meta-analysis; nitrogen; Nitrogen - analysis; Oxidants, Photochemical - toxicity; Ozone; Ozone - toxicity; phosphorus; plant ecology; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Plant Leaves - physiology; Plant Physiological Phenomena; plant physiology; Plants - drug effects; prediction; Raunkiaer life-form; Seasons; Sensitivity index; Species Specificity; stomata; Terrestrial environment, soil, air; vegetation; Ozone; Raunkiaer life-form; Ellenberg indicator value; Meta-analysis; Sensitivity index; Index; Biomass; Sensitivity; Phytotoxicity; Angiospermae; Vegetation; Critical load; Air pollution; Spermatophyta; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.06.011

This study identified 83 species from existing publications suitable for inclusion in a database of sensitivity of species to ozone (OZOVEG database). An index, the relative sensitivity to ozone, was calculated for each species based on changes in biomass in order to test for species traits associated with ozone sensitivity. Meta-analysis of the ozone sensitivity data showed a wide inter-specific range in response to ozone. Some relationships in comparison to plant physiological and ecological characteristics were identified. Plants of the therophyte lifeform were particularly sensitive to ozone. Species with higher mature leaf N concentration were more sensitive to ozone than those with lower leaf N concentration. Some relationships between relative sensitivity to ozone and Ellenberg habitat requirements were also identified. In contrast, no relationships between relative sensitivity to ozone and mature leaf P concentration, Grime's CSR strategy, leaf longevity, flowering season, stomatal density and maximum altitude were found. The relative sensitivity of species and relationships with plant characteristics identified in this study could be used to predict sensitivity to ozone of untested species and communities.
Meta-analysis of the relative sensitivity of semi-natural vegetation species to ozone showed some relationships with physiological and ecological characteristics.