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Lichens as a useful mapping tool?—an approach to assess atmospheric N loads in Germany by total N content and stable isotope signature

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Abstract

To assess whether nitrogen (N) content and δ15N ratios in nitrophytic lichen species (Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. (1860) and Physcia spp. (Schreb.) Michaux (1803)) reflect the quantity and quality of atmospheric N loads, 348 lichen samples from 174 sampling grid cells were investigated in the western part of Germany. The analysed lichen N content ranged between 0.98 and 4.28 % and δ15N ratios between −15.2 and −1.3 ‰. Based on the N concentrations and the δ15N ratios of lichens, different landscape categories and coupled N deposition rates could be inferred for different regions of Germany. By analysing environmental variables like altitude, ammonia emission density, livestock unit and different defined deposition types, a direct relationship was found between lichen chemistry and N compounds produced from agricultural activity. The results support the development of a monitoring method which could be used nationally or even internationally to support current N deposition measurements, by providing reliable information on the quantity and quality of N deposition in high N environments.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU). We thank Dorothee Krieger and Bernhard Backes (University of Trier) for excellent technical assistance, Laura M. E. Sutcliffe for improving the language and Sonja Schoeneberg, Markus Bauer and Cornelia Boltersdorf for their energetic support during field work. Monika Harbich and Tobias Wommelsdorf are thanked for their constructive comments during paperwork.

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  1. Department of Geobotany, University of Trier, Behringstraße 21, 54296, Trier, Germany

    Stefanie H. Boltersdorf & Willy Werner

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  1. Stefanie H. Boltersdorf
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Correspondence to Stefanie H. Boltersdorf.

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Boltersdorf, S.H., Werner, W. Lichens as a useful mapping tool?—an approach to assess atmospheric N loads in Germany by total N content and stable isotope signature. Environ Monit Assess 186, 4767–4778 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3736-3

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