Sulphur Dioxide :: Montane Habitats

Impact Type: Direct exposure to pollutant

Key Concerns:

There is no published experimental data on the impacts of SO2 on montane heaths and scrubs. This habitat type is unlikely to occur in areas which experience levels of SO2 above the critical level. However, they may be exposed to acid deposition above the critical load see Acid deposition::Montane habitats record.

Critical Load/Level: 
Habitat/ Ecosystem Type Critical Load/ Level Status Reliability Indication of exceedance Reference
Forests and semi-natural vegetation

20 µg SO2 m-3 annual mean and half-year(Oct-March) mean

 UNECE, 2004 quite reliable i.e. the results of some studies are comparable

Low temperature appears to enhance the negative effects of SO2, and the lower critical level of 15 µg SO2 m-3 is used where the effective temperature sum (ETS) (i.e. the sum of temperatures) above 5oC is below 1000 degree days (d.d) (Ashmore et al., 1994).

 809
References: 
Ashmore, M.R.; Wilson, [Eds.] R.B. 1994 Critical levels of air pollutants for Europe Report of the Egham workshop