N deposition :: Irish Hare

Submitted by Eleanor Campbell on Wed, 10/08/2011 - 16:00
Latin name: 
Lepus timidus hibernicus

Impact Type: Deposition of pollutant

Key Concerns:

Current work at CEH Banchory on N deposition and mountain hares (Lepus timidus) suggests that N deposition leads to habitat change with a loss of Racomitrium heath. There is evidence to suggest this can have a negative impact on hare numbers, as an increase in grass species favours sheep over hares. Hare numbers then decline. The exact mechanisms are not known at present, however research is ongoing (van de Wal pers. comm.).

Additional Comments:

Research on going at CEH Banchory. 

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: 
Duarte-Davidson, R.; Sewart, A.; Alcock, R.E.; Cousins, I.T.; Jones, K.C. 1996 Exploring the balance between sources, deposition, and the environmental burden of PCDD/Fs in the U.K. environment: an aid to identifying uncertainties and research needs Environmental Science and Technology 31 1-10
Milne, J.A.; Hartley, S.E. 2001 Upland plant communities - sensitivity to change Catena 42(2-4) 333-343
Species group: 
Mammals
Pollutant: 
Nitrogen Deposition