Predicting community sensitivity to ozone, using Ellenberg Indicator values

TitlePredicting community sensitivity to ozone, using Ellenberg Indicator values
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsJones M.LM, Hayes F., Mills G., Sparks T.H, Fuhrer J.
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume146
Pagination744-753
Date PublishedApr
ISBN Number0269-7491
Accession NumberWOS:000245475300019
Keywordsozone
Abstract

This paper develops a regression-based model for predicting changes in biomass of individual species exposed to ozone (RSp), based on their Ellenberg Indicator values. The equation (RSp=1.805-0.118Light-0.135 root Salinity) underpredicts observed sensitivity but has the advantage of widespread applicability to almost 3000 European species. The model was applied to grassland communities to develop two further predictive tools. The first tool, percentage change in biomass (ORI%) was tested on data from a field-based ozone exposure experiment and predicted a 27% decrease in biomass over 5 years compared with an observed decrease of 23%. The second tool, an index of community sensitivity to ozone (CORI), was applied to 48 grassland communities and suggests that community sensitivity to ozone is primarily species-driven. A repeat-sampling routine showed that nine species were the minimum requirement to estimate CORI within 5%. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alternate JournalEnviron Pollut