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
Sulphur dioxide :: All vegetation types
Critical Load/Level Values
20 µg SO2 m-3 annual mean and half-year (Oct-March) mean.
Status
UNECE, 2004
Habitat/Ecosystem Type
Forests and semi-natural vegetation
Description
Low temperature appears to enhance the negative effects of SO 2 , and the lower critical level of 15 µg SO 2 m-3 is used where the effective temperature sum (ETS) (i.e. the sum of temperatures) above 5 o C is below 1000 degree days (d.d) (Ashmore et al., 1994).
Reliability
quite reliable i.e. the results of some studies are comparable
References