N deposition :: Dotterel

Submitted by Eleanor Campbell on Wed, 10/08/2011 - 15:48
Latin name: 
Charadrius morinellus

Impact Type: Deposition of pollutant

Key Concerns:

Current work suggests that N deposition leads to habitat change, with a loss of Racomitrium heath (Milne & Hartley 2001). This impacts on the birds through loss of nesting sites and reduction in insect prey (sawfly larvae) for the chicks (van de Wal pers comm.).

Additional Comments:

The move from moss dominated heath to grasses also increases trampling by sheep, so increasing the risk of destruction of nests and eggs. 

Critical Load/level: 
Habitat/ Ecosystem Type Eunis Code Critical Load/ Level Status Reliability Indication of exceedance Reference
Moss and lichen dominated mountain summits E4.2

5-10 kg N ha-1 year-1

 UNECE 2010 - Noordwijkerhout workshop quite reliable

Effects upon bryophytes or lichens.

 472
References: 
Milne, J.A.; Hartley, S.E. 2001 Upland plant communities - sensitivity to change Catena 42(2-4) 333-343
Species group: 
Birds
Pollutant: 
Nitrogen Deposition