Critical loads for sulfur and nitrogen inputs into ecosystems
Description
Critical loads are defined as the ecological load limit for the entry of air pollutants into an ecosystem. In the long term, there will be no negative impact on the ecosystem if critical loads are not exceeded. Critical loads are calculated for acidifying sulphur and nitrogen inputs as well as for eutrophic nitrogen inputs in Austria. The critical loads for acidifying nitrogen and sulfur inputs will be exceeded in 2010 on 0.6% of the ecosystem area of forest. For critical loads for eutrophic nitrogen inputs, between 31% and 94% of the assessed near-natural ecosystem areas will be exceeded, depending on the chosen method. The significant discrepancy between severe impairment due to nutrient inputs and less impairment due to acidification is typical. Since nitrogen is primarily responsible for both problem areas, the reduction of nitrogen inputs should be given greater importance in the future.
Resources
| Name |
Format |
Description |
Link |
|
33 |
|
https://www.umweltbundesamt.at/fileadmin/site/publikationen/REP0178.pdf |
|
33 |
|
https://www.umweltbundesamt.at/fileadmin/site/publikationen/REP0178.pdf |