Vascular Plants

SO2 :: Marsh clubmoss

Impact Type: Direct exposure to pollutant

Key Concerns:

Marsh clubmoss is a perennial species of wet heaths, often on bare peaty soil, and occasionally on the margins of lochs, it is thought to be vulnerable to excess atmospheric SO2 (Biodiversity Steering Group 1995).

Additional Comments:

There is no published research on the effects of air pollution on this species.

SO2 :: Heather or Ling

Impact Type: Direct exposure to pollutant

Key Concerns:

Work by Caporn et al. (2000) has shown that exposure of Calluna to elevated SO2 and NO2 throughout the growing season, may lead to an increase in both root and shoot growth. However they found that this was offset by an increased risk of damage by frost and an imbalance in root/shoot growth, which make the plants more vulnerable to water stress. No work appears to have been published as to the separate effects of these two pollutant gases on Calluna.

SO2 :: Ferns (general)

Impact Type: Direct exposure to pollutant

Key Concerns:

Studies by Lawrence & Ashenden (1993) have shown that direct exposure to SO2 (exposure to 104 µg/m3 SO2) may affect the growth and reproduction of fern species. However it should be noted that such cases only now occur in Britain in the immediate vicinity of major sources.

Additional Comments:

There is a lack of information on the relative sensitivity of different fern species.

NOx :: Heather or Ling

Impact Type: Direct exposure to pollutant

Key Concerns:

Work by Caporn et al. (2000) has shown that Calluna exposed to NO2 and SO2 throughout the growing season caused an increase in both root and shoot growth. However this was offset by a increased risk of damage by frost and an imbalance in root/shoot growth make the plants more vulnerable to water stress.

Additional Comments:

NOx :: Ferns (general)

Impact Type: Direct exposure to pollutant

Key Concerns:

Studies by Ashenden et al. (1990) and Lawrence & Ashenden (1993) have shown that direct exposure to NO2 may affect the growth and reproduction of fern species. It is possible that damage to some species of fern can occur at concentrations of NO2 which are low relative to concentrations known to cause damage in higher plants.

Additional Comments:

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