N deposition :: Sundew species

Impact Type: Deposition of pollutant

Key Concerns:

Sundew (Drosera spp.) are slow growing plants naturally adapted to low nutrient supply, with the whole plant developed to obtain nitrogen by capturing small insects indicating they are generally N limited. Because of their slow growth and habit, experimental studies indicate that they may be out-competed and overgrown by Sphagnum mosses, where there is increased nitrogen deposition (Nordbakken 2000, Svensson 1995). In much of Britain, from southern Scotland southward, the critical load for Drosera spp. is exceeded (Fowler et al. 2001).

Additional Comments:                                        

In some areas of dryer lowland heath there is also concern that Drosera spp. are out-competed and overgrown by grasses when nutrient supply is larger. Death occurs due to lack of light.