Acid deposition :: Baltic Bog moss

Latin name: 
Sphagnum balticum

Impact Type: Deposition of pollutant

Key Concerns:

Sphagnum balticum is a Red Data book species and is listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (DoE 1994). Sphagnum spp. are known to be sensitive to acid deposition. With high rates of deposition in the southern Pennines of northern England, most Sphagna have been lost. Although there are no known experimental studies on S. balticum, it is expected to be similarly sensitive. Rates of acid deposition in NW. Scotland, where S. balticum used to grow, are much smaller. Hence some impacts are expected, but the scale of damage is currently unquantified. Acid deposition was previously dominated by Sulphur and it is possible that the loss of S. balticum was driven by sensitivity to sulphate.

Additional Comments:

None 

Critical Load/level: 
Critical Load/ Level

No estimate available

References: 
Pollutant: