Ebook: Changes of Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects on Forest Ecosystems: A Roof Experiment without a Roof

This volume summarises the result of an interdisciplinary research programme entitled `Rehabilitation of the Atmosphere of the New States of Germany - Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems'. Before the unification of Germany, emission loads of SO₂ and dust particles were up to 18-fold higher in East than in West Germany. However, emission rates have decreased significantly since reunification in 1990, due to the breakdown of a large number of industrial and particularly lignite- fired powerplants and the implementation of clean air technologies. In order to study the effects of these dramatic changes in atmospheric chemistry on terrestrial ecosystems, comprehensive field studies were conducted in pine forest ecosystems along an historic gradient of atmospheric deposition rates in the northeastern lowlands of Germany. The fast and dramatic reduction of dust particle and SO₂ emissions offers a unique opportunity to test the role of SO₂ and alkaline particle deposition with regard to changes or damage to forest ecosystems and whether the forest stands return to a state of resilience. In this respect, this ecosystem experiment can be looked upon as a roof experiment without a roof.

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This volume summarises the result of an interdisciplinary research programme entitled `Rehabilitation of the Atmosphere of the New States of Germany - Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems'. Before the unification of Germany, emission loads of SO₂ and dust particles were up to 18-fold higher in East than in West Germany. However, emission rates have decreased significantly since reunification in 1990, due to the breakdown of a large number of industrial and particularly lignite- fired powerplants and the implementation of clean air technologies. In order to study the effects of these dramatic changes in atmospheric chemistry on terrestrial ecosystems, comprehensive field studies were conducted in pine forest ecosystems along an historic gradient of atmospheric deposition rates in the northeastern lowlands of Germany. The fast and dramatic reduction of dust particle and SO₂ emissions offers a unique opportunity to test the role of SO₂ and alkaline particle deposition with regard to changes or damage to forest ecosystems and whether the forest stands return to a state of resilience. In this respect, this ecosystem experiment can be looked upon as a roof experiment without a roof.

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This volume summarises the result of an interdisciplinary research programme entitled `Rehabilitation of the Atmosphere of the New States of Germany - Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems'. Before the unification of Germany, emission loads of SO₂ and dust particles were up to 18-fold higher in East than in West Germany. However, emission rates have decreased significantly since reunification in 1990, due to the breakdown of a large number of industrial and particularly lignite- fired powerplants and the implementation of clean air technologies. In order to study the effects of these dramatic changes in atmospheric chemistry on terrestrial ecosystems, comprehensive field studies were conducted in pine forest ecosystems along an historic gradient of atmospheric deposition rates in the northeastern lowlands of Germany. The fast and dramatic reduction of dust particle and SO₂ emissions offers a unique opportunity to test the role of SO₂ and alkaline particle deposition with regard to changes or damage to forest ecosystems and whether the forest stands return to a state of resilience. In this respect, this ecosystem experiment can be looked upon as a roof experiment without a roof.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-vii
Introduction to the SANA-project (SANA: regeneration of the atmosphere above the new states of Germany — effects on forest ecosystems)....Pages 1-15
Site and stand description....Pages 17-20
Nutrient element distribution in the above-ground biomass of Scots pine stands....Pages 21-35
Responses of sulphur- and nitrogen-containing compounds in Scots pine needles....Pages 37-63
Photosynthetic capacity, respiration and water use efficiency in Scots pine stands....Pages 65-95
Tree canopy and field layer transpiration in Scots pine stands....Pages 97-110
Hydraulic architecture of Scots pine....Pages 111-118
Estimating fine root production of Scots pine stands....Pages 119-136
Mycorrhizal morphotypes of Scots pine....Pages 137-150
Decomposition of needle-, herb-, root-litter, and Of-layer-humus in three Scots pine stands....Pages 151-176
Seasonal variability of organic matter and N input with litterfall in Scots pine stands....Pages 177-186
Soil chemical response to drastic reductions in deposition and its effects on the element budgets of three Scots pine ecosystems....Pages 187-225
Radial increment of Scots pine stands....Pages 227-250
Modelling of carbon-, nitrogen-, and water balances in Scots pine stands....Pages 251-281
A landscape model for the investigation of atmogenic pollution effects on the dynamics of Scots pine ecosystems....Pages 283-311
Synopsis of the ecological SANA investigations. An integrated analysis of the results....Pages 313-322
Concluding remarks....Pages 323-324
Back Matter....Pages 325-325

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This volume summarises the result of an interdisciplinary research programme entitled `Rehabilitation of the Atmosphere of the New States of Germany - Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems'. Before the unification of Germany, emission loads of SO₂ and dust particles were up to 18-fold higher in East than in West Germany. However, emission rates have decreased significantly since reunification in 1990, due to the breakdown of a large number of industrial and particularly lignite- fired powerplants and the implementation of clean air technologies. In order to study the effects of these dramatic changes in atmospheric chemistry on terrestrial ecosystems, comprehensive field studies were conducted in pine forest ecosystems along an historic gradient of atmospheric deposition rates in the northeastern lowlands of Germany. The fast and dramatic reduction of dust particle and SO₂ emissions offers a unique opportunity to test the role of SO₂ and alkaline particle deposition with regard to changes or damage to forest ecosystems and whether the forest stands return to a state of resilience. In this respect, this ecosystem experiment can be looked upon as a roof experiment without a roof.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-vii
Introduction to the SANA-project (SANA: regeneration of the atmosphere above the new states of Germany — effects on forest ecosystems)....Pages 1-15
Site and stand description....Pages 17-20
Nutrient element distribution in the above-ground biomass of Scots pine stands....Pages 21-35
Responses of sulphur- and nitrogen-containing compounds in Scots pine needles....Pages 37-63
Photosynthetic capacity, respiration and water use efficiency in Scots pine stands....Pages 65-95
Tree canopy and field layer transpiration in Scots pine stands....Pages 97-110
Hydraulic architecture of Scots pine....Pages 111-118
Estimating fine root production of Scots pine stands....Pages 119-136
Mycorrhizal morphotypes of Scots pine....Pages 137-150
Decomposition of needle-, herb-, root-litter, and Of-layer-humus in three Scots pine stands....Pages 151-176
Seasonal variability of organic matter and N input with litterfall in Scots pine stands....Pages 177-186
Soil chemical response to drastic reductions in deposition and its effects on the element budgets of three Scots pine ecosystems....Pages 187-225
Radial increment of Scots pine stands....Pages 227-250
Modelling of carbon-, nitrogen-, and water balances in Scots pine stands....Pages 251-281
A landscape model for the investigation of atmogenic pollution effects on the dynamics of Scots pine ecosystems....Pages 283-311
Synopsis of the ecological SANA investigations. An integrated analysis of the results....Pages 313-322
Concluding remarks....Pages 323-324
Back Matter....Pages 325-325
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