Abstract
Critical loads for N, S and total acidity, and amounts by which they are exceeded by present atmospheric loads, were derived for coniferous and deciduous forests in Europe using the one-layer steady-state model START. Results indicated that present acid loads exceed critical values in approximately 45% of the forested area i.e. 52% of all coniferous forests and 33% of all deciduous forests. The area exceeding critical loads was nearly equal for N (50%) and S (52%). However, the maximum exceedances were much higher for S (up to 12000 molc ha−1 yr−1 in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Germany) than for N (up to 3500 molc ha−1 yr−1 in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany). Furthermore, the critical N loads derived refer to the risk of increased vegetation changes. Higher values, i.e. lower exceedances, were found for N when it was related to an increased risk in forest vitality decrease. The uncertainty in the area exceeding critical loads was estimated to be about ±50% of the given value. This is mainly due to uncertainties in the chemical criteria that have been used. However, despite the uncertainties involved it is clear that large exceedances in critical N and S loads occur in Western and Central Europe. This coincides with the area where a decrease in forest vitality has been reported.
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De Vries, W., Reinds, G.J. & Posch, M. Assessment of critical loads and their exceedance on European forests using a one-layer steady-state model. Water Air Soil Pollut 72, 357–394 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01257134
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01257134