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Reducing nitrogen pollution across the food chain requires the use of clear and comprehensive indicators to track and manage losses. The challenge is to derive an easy-to-use robust nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) indicator for entire food systems to help support policy development, monitor progress and inform consumers. Based on a comparison of four approaches to NUE (life cycle analysis, nitrogen footprint, nitrogen budget, and environmental impact assessment), we propose an indicator for broader application at the national scale: The whole food chain (NUEFC), which is defined as the ratio of the protein (expressed as nitrogen) available for human consumption to the (newly fixed and imported) nitrogen input to the food system. The NUEFC was calculated for a set of European countries between 1980 and 2011. A large variation in NUEFC was observed within countries in Europe, ranging from 10% in Ireland to 40% in Italy in 2008. The NUEFC can be used to identify factors that influence it (e.g., the share of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in new nitrogen, the imported and exported products and the consumption), which can be used to propose potential improvements on the national scale.
Jan Erisman; Allison Leach; Albert Bleeker; Brooke Atwell; Lia Cattaneo; James Galloway. An Integrated Approach to a Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Indicator for the Food Production–Consumption Chain. Sustainability 2018, 10, 925 .
AMA StyleJan Erisman, Allison Leach, Albert Bleeker, Brooke Atwell, Lia Cattaneo, James Galloway. An Integrated Approach to a Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Indicator for the Food Production–Consumption Chain. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (4):925.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJan Erisman; Allison Leach; Albert Bleeker; Brooke Atwell; Lia Cattaneo; James Galloway. 2018. "An Integrated Approach to a Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Indicator for the Food Production–Consumption Chain." Sustainability 10, no. 4: 925.
In peatland ecosystems, plant communities mediate a globally significant carbon store. The effects of global environmental change on plant assemblages are expected to be a factor in determining how ecosystem functions such as carbon uptake will respond. Using vegetation data from 56 Sphagnum-dominated peat bogs across Europe, we show that in these ecosystems plant species aggregate into two major clusters that are each defined by shared response to environmental conditions. Across environmental gradients, we find significant taxonomic turnover in both clusters. However, functional identity and functional redundancy of the community as a whole remain unchanged. This strongly suggests that in peat bogs, species turnover across environmental gradients is restricted to functionally similar species. Our results demonstrate that plant taxonomic and functional turnover are decoupled, which may allow these peat bogs to maintain ecosystem functioning when subject to future environmental change. Peatland plant communities are expected to be affected by environmental change, though how assemblages respond is not fully understood. Here, Robroek et al. show that peatland species occur in two distinct clusters, and functional identity and redundancy was maintained under taxonomic turnover.
Bjorn J. M. Robroek; Vincent Jassey; Richard J. Payne; Magalí Martí; Luca Bragazza; Albert Bleeker; Alexandre Buttler; Simon J. M. Caporn; Nancy B. Dise; Jens Kattge; Katarzyna Zając; Bo H. Svensson; Jasper Van Ruijven; Jos T. A. Verhoeven. Taxonomic and functional turnover are decoupled in European peat bogs. Nature Communications 2017, 8, 1 -9.
AMA StyleBjorn J. M. Robroek, Vincent Jassey, Richard J. Payne, Magalí Martí, Luca Bragazza, Albert Bleeker, Alexandre Buttler, Simon J. M. Caporn, Nancy B. Dise, Jens Kattge, Katarzyna Zając, Bo H. Svensson, Jasper Van Ruijven, Jos T. A. Verhoeven. Taxonomic and functional turnover are decoupled in European peat bogs. Nature Communications. 2017; 8 (1):1-9.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBjorn J. M. Robroek; Vincent Jassey; Richard J. Payne; Magalí Martí; Luca Bragazza; Albert Bleeker; Alexandre Buttler; Simon J. M. Caporn; Nancy B. Dise; Jens Kattge; Katarzyna Zając; Bo H. Svensson; Jasper Van Ruijven; Jos T. A. Verhoeven. 2017. "Taxonomic and functional turnover are decoupled in European peat bogs." Nature Communications 8, no. 1: 1-9.
Once upon a time there was enough naturally occurring nitrogen (N) to provide food for the world’s peoples. Then there was not in the western regions. Now there is due to industrially produced NH3. But this transition from plenty, to scarcity, to plenty has come with a tremendous environmental cost. This paper provides an historical overview of the growth of knowledge about N and about its impacts, both positive and negative. The paper also explores three scenarios of what might have been, if in 1700 the world had the N-knowledge that we have now. The paper then projects N use to feed the world’s people in 2050 under three scenarios of per-capita protein consumption: increasing, constant and decreasing relative to nutritional guidelines. The three projected results for 2050 annual N use from producing and consuming food are 320, 230 and 170 Tg N respectively. The latter is equivalent to 1970 levels. Given that the first scenario (increasing protein) is most likely without utilising our N-knowledge, the paper ends with suggestions for improvements in N use and management.
James N. Galloway; Allison Leach; Jan Willem Erisman; Albert Bleeker. Nitrogen: the historical progression from ignorance to knowledge, with a view to future solutions. Soil Research 2017, 55, 417 .
AMA StyleJames N. Galloway, Allison Leach, Jan Willem Erisman, Albert Bleeker. Nitrogen: the historical progression from ignorance to knowledge, with a view to future solutions. Soil Research. 2017; 55 (6):417.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJames N. Galloway; Allison Leach; Jan Willem Erisman; Albert Bleeker. 2017. "Nitrogen: the historical progression from ignorance to knowledge, with a view to future solutions." Soil Research 55, no. 6: 417.
One of the 'grand challenges' of this age is the anthropogenic impact exerted on the nitrogen cycle. Issues of concern range from an excess of fixed nitrogen resulting in environmental pressures for some regions, while for other regions insufficient fixed nitrogen affects food security and may lead to health risks. To address these issues, nitrogen needs to be managed in an integrated fashion, at a variety of scales (from global to local). Such management has to be based on a thorough understanding of the sources of reactive nitrogen released into the environment, its deposition and effects. This requires a comprehensive assessment of the key drivers of changes in the nitrogen cycle both spatially, at the field, regional and global scale and over time. In this focus issue, we address the challenges of managing reactive nitrogen in the context of food production and its impacts on human and ecosystem health. In addition, we discuss the scope for and design of management approaches in regions with too much and too little nitrogen. This focus issue includes several contributions from authors who participated at the N2013 conference in Kampala in November 2013, where delegates compiled and agreed upon the 'Kampala Statement-for-Action on Reactive Nitrogen in Africa and Globally'. These contributions further underline scientifically the claims of the 'Kampala Statement', that simultaneously reducing pollution and increasing nitrogen available in the food system, by improved nitrogen management offers win-wins for environment, health and food security in both developing and developed economies. The specific messages conveyed in the Kampala Statement focus on improving nitrogen management (I), including the reduction of nitrogen losses from agriculture, industry, transport and energy sectors, as well as improving waste treatment and informing individuals and institutions (II). Highlighting the need for innovation and increased awareness among stakeholders (III) and the identification of policy and technology solutions to tackle global nitrogen management issues (IV), this will enable countries to fulfil their regional and global commitments.
Stefan Reis; Mateete Bekunda; Clare M Howard; Nancy Karanja; Wilfried Winiwarter; Xiaoyuan Yan; Albert Bleeker; Mark A Sutton. Synthesis and review: Tackling the nitrogen management challenge: from global to local scales. Environmental Research Letters 2016, 11, 120205 .
AMA StyleStefan Reis, Mateete Bekunda, Clare M Howard, Nancy Karanja, Wilfried Winiwarter, Xiaoyuan Yan, Albert Bleeker, Mark A Sutton. Synthesis and review: Tackling the nitrogen management challenge: from global to local scales. Environmental Research Letters. 2016; 11 (12):120205.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefan Reis; Mateete Bekunda; Clare M Howard; Nancy Karanja; Wilfried Winiwarter; Xiaoyuan Yan; Albert Bleeker; Mark A Sutton. 2016. "Synthesis and review: Tackling the nitrogen management challenge: from global to local scales." Environmental Research Letters 11, no. 12: 120205.
Nitrogen (N) management presents a sustainability dilemma: N is strongly linked to energy and food production, but excess reactive N causes environmental pollution. The N footprint is an indicator that quantifies reactive N losses to the environment from consumption and production of food and the use of energy. The average per capita N footprint (calculated using the N-Calculator methodology) of ten countries varies from 15 to 47 kg N capita−1 year−1. The major cause of the difference is the protein consumption rates and food production N losses. The food sector dominates all countries’ N footprints. Global connections via trade significantly affect the N footprint in countries that rely on imported foods and feeds. The authors present N footprint reduction strategies (e.g., improve N use efficiency, increase N recycling, reduce food waste, shift dietary choices) and identify knowledge gaps (e.g., the N footprint from nonfood goods and soil N process).
Hideaki Shibata; James N. Galloway; Allison M. Leach; Lia R. Cattaneo; Laura Cattell Noll; Jan Willem Erisman; Baojing Gu; Xia Liang; Kentaro Hayashi; Lin Ma; Tommy Dalgaard; Morten Graversgaard; Deli Chen; Keisuke Nansai; Junko Shindo; Kazuyo Matsubae; Azusa Oita; Ming-Chien Su; Shin-Ichiro Mishima; Albert Bleeker. Nitrogen footprints: Regional realities and options to reduce nitrogen loss to the environment. Ambio 2016, 46, 129 -142.
AMA StyleHideaki Shibata, James N. Galloway, Allison M. Leach, Lia R. Cattaneo, Laura Cattell Noll, Jan Willem Erisman, Baojing Gu, Xia Liang, Kentaro Hayashi, Lin Ma, Tommy Dalgaard, Morten Graversgaard, Deli Chen, Keisuke Nansai, Junko Shindo, Kazuyo Matsubae, Azusa Oita, Ming-Chien Su, Shin-Ichiro Mishima, Albert Bleeker. Nitrogen footprints: Regional realities and options to reduce nitrogen loss to the environment. Ambio. 2016; 46 (2):129-142.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHideaki Shibata; James N. Galloway; Allison M. Leach; Lia R. Cattaneo; Laura Cattell Noll; Jan Willem Erisman; Baojing Gu; Xia Liang; Kentaro Hayashi; Lin Ma; Tommy Dalgaard; Morten Graversgaard; Deli Chen; Keisuke Nansai; Junko Shindo; Kazuyo Matsubae; Azusa Oita; Ming-Chien Su; Shin-Ichiro Mishima; Albert Bleeker. 2016. "Nitrogen footprints: Regional realities and options to reduce nitrogen loss to the environment." Ambio 46, no. 2: 129-142.
Ying Zhang; Albert Bleeker; Junguo Liu. Nutrient discharge from China’s aquaculture industry and associated environmental impacts. Environmental Research Letters 2015, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleYing Zhang, Albert Bleeker, Junguo Liu. Nutrient discharge from China’s aquaculture industry and associated environmental impacts. Environmental Research Letters. 2015; 10 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYing Zhang; Albert Bleeker; Junguo Liu. 2015. "Nutrient discharge from China’s aquaculture industry and associated environmental impacts." Environmental Research Letters 10, no. 4: 1.
The human alteration of the nitrogen cycle has evolved from minimal in the mid-19th century to extensive in the present time. The consequences to human and environmental health are significant. While much attention has been given to the extent and impacts of the alteration, little attention has been given to those entities (i.e., consumers, institutions) that use the resources that result in extensive reactive nitrogen (Nr) creation. One strategy for assessment is the use of nitrogen footprint tools. A nitrogen footprint is generally defined as the total amount of Nr released to the environment as a result of an entity's consumption patterns. This paper reviews a number of nitrogen footprint tools (N-Calculator, N-Institution, N-Label, N-Neutrality, N-Indicator) that are designed to provide that attention. It reviews N-footprint tools for consumers as a function of the country that they live in (N-Calculator, N-Indicator) and the products they buy (N-Label), for the institutions that people work in and are educated in (N-Institution), and for events and decision-making regarding offsets (N-Neutrality). N footprint tools provide a framework for people to make decisions about their resource use and show them how offsets can be coupled with behavior change to decrease consumer/institution contributions to N-related problems.
James N Galloway; Wilfried Winiwarter; Adrian Leip; Allison Leach; Albert Bleeker; Jan Willem Erisman. Nitrogen footprints: past, present and future. Environmental Research Letters 2014, 9, 115003 .
AMA StyleJames N Galloway, Wilfried Winiwarter, Adrian Leip, Allison Leach, Albert Bleeker, Jan Willem Erisman. Nitrogen footprints: past, present and future. Environmental Research Letters. 2014; 9 (11):115003.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJames N Galloway; Wilfried Winiwarter; Adrian Leip; Allison Leach; Albert Bleeker; Jan Willem Erisman. 2014. "Nitrogen footprints: past, present and future." Environmental Research Letters 9, no. 11: 115003.
Peter Waldner; Aldo Marchetto; Anne Thimonier; Maria Schmitt; Michela Rogora; Oliver Granke; Volker Mues; Karin Hansen; Gunilla Pihl Karlsson; Daniel Žlindra; Nicholas Clarke; Arne Verstraeten; Andis Lazdins; Claus Schimming; Carmen Iacoban; Antti-Jussi Lindroos; Elena Vanguelova; Sue Benham; Henning Meesenburg; Manuel Nicolas; Anna Kowalska; Vladislav Apuhtin; Ulle Napa; Zora Lachmanová; Ferdinand Kristoefel; Albert Bleeker; Morten Ingerslev; Lars Vesterdal; Juan Molina; Uwe Fischer; Walter Seidling; Mathieu Jonard; Philip O'Dea; James Johnson; Richard Fischer; Martin Lorenz. Detection of temporal trends in atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen and sulphate to forests in Europe. Atmospheric Environment 2014, 95, 363 -374.
AMA StylePeter Waldner, Aldo Marchetto, Anne Thimonier, Maria Schmitt, Michela Rogora, Oliver Granke, Volker Mues, Karin Hansen, Gunilla Pihl Karlsson, Daniel Žlindra, Nicholas Clarke, Arne Verstraeten, Andis Lazdins, Claus Schimming, Carmen Iacoban, Antti-Jussi Lindroos, Elena Vanguelova, Sue Benham, Henning Meesenburg, Manuel Nicolas, Anna Kowalska, Vladislav Apuhtin, Ulle Napa, Zora Lachmanová, Ferdinand Kristoefel, Albert Bleeker, Morten Ingerslev, Lars Vesterdal, Juan Molina, Uwe Fischer, Walter Seidling, Mathieu Jonard, Philip O'Dea, James Johnson, Richard Fischer, Martin Lorenz. Detection of temporal trends in atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen and sulphate to forests in Europe. Atmospheric Environment. 2014; 95 ():363-374.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Waldner; Aldo Marchetto; Anne Thimonier; Maria Schmitt; Michela Rogora; Oliver Granke; Volker Mues; Karin Hansen; Gunilla Pihl Karlsson; Daniel Žlindra; Nicholas Clarke; Arne Verstraeten; Andis Lazdins; Claus Schimming; Carmen Iacoban; Antti-Jussi Lindroos; Elena Vanguelova; Sue Benham; Henning Meesenburg; Manuel Nicolas; Anna Kowalska; Vladislav Apuhtin; Ulle Napa; Zora Lachmanová; Ferdinand Kristoefel; Albert Bleeker; Morten Ingerslev; Lars Vesterdal; Juan Molina; Uwe Fischer; Walter Seidling; Mathieu Jonard; Philip O'Dea; James Johnson; Richard Fischer; Martin Lorenz. 2014. "Detection of temporal trends in atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen and sulphate to forests in Europe." Atmospheric Environment 95, no. : 363-374.
Reduction in the species richness of acid grasslands along a gradient of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has previously been demonstrated in the UK (Stevens, Dise, Mountford, Gowing, Science 303:1876–1879, 2004). Further surveys of acid grasslands in the UK confirm this relationship. This chapter reports an examination of the relationship across the Atlantic region of Europe. Examining the cover of functional groups across this gradient reveals that forb cover is strongly reduced along the gradient of N deposition
Carly J. Stevens; Cecilia Duprè; Edu Dorland; Cassandre Gaudnik; David J. G. Gowing; Albert Bleeker; Martin Diekmann; Didier Alard; Roland Bobbink; David Fowler; Emmanuel Corcket; J. Owen Mountford; Vigdis Vandvik; Per Arild Aarrestad; Serge Muller; Nancy B. Dise. Biodiversity of Acid Grasslands in the Atlantic Regions of Europe: The Impact of Nitrogen Deposition. Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity 2014, 243 -250.
AMA StyleCarly J. Stevens, Cecilia Duprè, Edu Dorland, Cassandre Gaudnik, David J. G. Gowing, Albert Bleeker, Martin Diekmann, Didier Alard, Roland Bobbink, David Fowler, Emmanuel Corcket, J. Owen Mountford, Vigdis Vandvik, Per Arild Aarrestad, Serge Muller, Nancy B. Dise. Biodiversity of Acid Grasslands in the Atlantic Regions of Europe: The Impact of Nitrogen Deposition. Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity. 2014; ():243-250.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarly J. Stevens; Cecilia Duprè; Edu Dorland; Cassandre Gaudnik; David J. G. Gowing; Albert Bleeker; Martin Diekmann; Didier Alard; Roland Bobbink; David Fowler; Emmanuel Corcket; J. Owen Mountford; Vigdis Vandvik; Per Arild Aarrestad; Serge Muller; Nancy B. Dise. 2014. "Biodiversity of Acid Grasslands in the Atlantic Regions of Europe: The Impact of Nitrogen Deposition." Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity , no. : 243-250.
This chapter combines information on the world’s protected areas (PAs) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), common classification systems of ecosystem conservation status, and current knowledge on ecosystem responses to nitrogen (N) deposition, to determine areas most at risk. The results show that 2,600 PAs located in both the G200 Ecoregions and Biodiversity Hotspots are exposed to a deposition > 10 kg N ha−1 year−1 with projections for 2030 indicating that this situation is expected to continue. Furthermore, 62 PAs are projected to receive > 30 kg N ha−1 year−1 by 2030; with forest and grassland ecosystems in Asia particularly at risk. Many of these sites are known to be sensitive to N deposition effects, both in terms of biodiversity changes and ecosystem services they provide. Urgent assessment of high-risk areas identified in this study is recommended to inform the conservation efforts of the CBD.
Albert Bleeker; W. Kevin Hicks; Frank Dentener; James N. Galloway; Jan Willem Erisman. Nitrogen Deposition as a Threat to the World’s Protected Areas Under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity 2014, 295 -303.
AMA StyleAlbert Bleeker, W. Kevin Hicks, Frank Dentener, James N. Galloway, Jan Willem Erisman. Nitrogen Deposition as a Threat to the World’s Protected Areas Under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity. 2014; ():295-303.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlbert Bleeker; W. Kevin Hicks; Frank Dentener; James N. Galloway; Jan Willem Erisman. 2014. "Nitrogen Deposition as a Threat to the World’s Protected Areas Under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)." Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity , no. : 295-303.
Ecosystem services are defined as the ecological and socio-economic value of goods and services provided by natural and semi-natural ecosystems. Ecosystem services are being impacted by many human induced stresses, one of them being nitrogen (N) deposition and its interactions with other pollutants and climate change. It is concluded that N directly or indirectly affects a wide range of provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural ecosystem services, many of which are interrelated. When considering the effects of N on ecosystem services, it is important to distinguish between different types of ecosystems/species and the protection against N impacts should include other aspects related to N, in addition to biodiversity. The Working Group considered the following priorities of ecosystem services in relation to N: biodiversity; air quality/atmosphere; ecosystem changes; NO3 leaching; climate regulation and cultural issues. These are the services for which the best evidence is available in the literature. There is a conflicting interest between greenhouse gas ecosystem services and biodiversity protection; up to some point of increasing N inputs, net greenhouse gas uptake is improved, while biodiversity is already adversely affected.
Jan Willem Erisman; Allison Leach; Mark Adams; Julius I. Agboola; Luan Ahmetaj; Didier Alard; Amy Austin; Moses A. Awodun; Simon Bareham; Theresa L. Bird; Albert Bleeker; Keith Bull; Sarah Cornell; Eric A Davidson; Wim de Vries; Maria Teresa Machado Dias; Bridget Emmett; Christine Goodale; Tara L Greaver; Richard Haeuber; Harry Harmens; W. Kevin Hicks; Lars Hogbom; Paul Jarvis; Matti Johansson; Zoe Russell; Colin J McClean; Bill Paton; Tibisay Perez; Jan Plesnik; Nalini Rao; Susanne Schmidt; Yogendra B. Sharma; Naoko Tokuchi; Clare P. Whitfield. Nitrogen Deposition Effects on Ecosystem Services and Interactions with other Pollutants and Climate Change. Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity 2014, 493 -505.
AMA StyleJan Willem Erisman, Allison Leach, Mark Adams, Julius I. Agboola, Luan Ahmetaj, Didier Alard, Amy Austin, Moses A. Awodun, Simon Bareham, Theresa L. Bird, Albert Bleeker, Keith Bull, Sarah Cornell, Eric A Davidson, Wim de Vries, Maria Teresa Machado Dias, Bridget Emmett, Christine Goodale, Tara L Greaver, Richard Haeuber, Harry Harmens, W. Kevin Hicks, Lars Hogbom, Paul Jarvis, Matti Johansson, Zoe Russell, Colin J McClean, Bill Paton, Tibisay Perez, Jan Plesnik, Nalini Rao, Susanne Schmidt, Yogendra B. Sharma, Naoko Tokuchi, Clare P. Whitfield. Nitrogen Deposition Effects on Ecosystem Services and Interactions with other Pollutants and Climate Change. Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity. 2014; ():493-505.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJan Willem Erisman; Allison Leach; Mark Adams; Julius I. Agboola; Luan Ahmetaj; Didier Alard; Amy Austin; Moses A. Awodun; Simon Bareham; Theresa L. Bird; Albert Bleeker; Keith Bull; Sarah Cornell; Eric A Davidson; Wim de Vries; Maria Teresa Machado Dias; Bridget Emmett; Christine Goodale; Tara L Greaver; Richard Haeuber; Harry Harmens; W. Kevin Hicks; Lars Hogbom; Paul Jarvis; Matti Johansson; Zoe Russell; Colin J McClean; Bill Paton; Tibisay Perez; Jan Plesnik; Nalini Rao; Susanne Schmidt; Yogendra B. Sharma; Naoko Tokuchi; Clare P. Whitfield. 2014. "Nitrogen Deposition Effects on Ecosystem Services and Interactions with other Pollutants and Climate Change." Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity , no. : 493-505.
We aimed to answer the question of whether the species richness and composition of calcareous grasslands in North-western Germany had changed over the last 70 years as a result of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. In total, 1186 plots of Festuco-Brometea (alliance Bromion erecti) grasslands from the sub-oceanic regions of the country were compiled (1061 plots from literature sources spanning a time period from 1936 to 1996, 125 new plots from 2008). Environmental descriptors recorded for each plot included geographic coordinates, altitude, heat index (combining slope and aspect), mean Ellenberg indicator values for light, soil moisture, soil pH and soil N, and cumulative N deposition (the latter being highly positively correlated with the year of sampling). In a Detrended Correspondence Analysis, the sample plot scores along axis one were highly correlated with the mean Ellenberg N-values, those along axis two were significantly affected by the year of sampling. In a general linear model, species richness of vascular plants showed a markedly hump-shaped relationship with mean Ellenberg N-value, whereas it was weakly affected by year (cumulative N load). Species with a significant negative trend over time were more often (than expected by chance) habitat specialists of dry grasslands, small, light-demanding and winter-green or evergreen with smaller seeds and scleromorphic leaves. In contrast to what has been found for acidic grasslands, N deposition in calcareous grasslands did not result in a decline in species richness, most likely because calcareous grasslands are water- and phosphorus-limited, and are well-buffered in terms of soil pH. To prevent a further change in species composition towards more mesophytic communities, grassland management by the site managers needs to be intensified
Martin Diekmann; Ute Jandt; Didier Alard; Albert Bleeker; Emmanuel Corcket; David J.G. Gowing; Carly Stevens; Cecilia Duprè. Long-term changes in calcareous grassland vegetation in North-western Germany – No decline in species richness, but a shift in species composition. Biological Conservation 2014, 172, 170 -179.
AMA StyleMartin Diekmann, Ute Jandt, Didier Alard, Albert Bleeker, Emmanuel Corcket, David J.G. Gowing, Carly Stevens, Cecilia Duprè. Long-term changes in calcareous grassland vegetation in North-western Germany – No decline in species richness, but a shift in species composition. Biological Conservation. 2014; 172 ():170-179.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin Diekmann; Ute Jandt; Didier Alard; Albert Bleeker; Emmanuel Corcket; David J.G. Gowing; Carly Stevens; Cecilia Duprè. 2014. "Long-term changes in calcareous grassland vegetation in North-western Germany – No decline in species richness, but a shift in species composition." Biological Conservation 172, no. : 170-179.
Emissions of ammonia have been demonstrated to play a role in the formation of airborne fine particulate matter, by reacting with gaseous emissions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. Agriculture emits ammonia to the atmosphere, and atmospheric processes can transport the particulate form of ammonium long distances. Fertilizer use-related emissions have been estimated to comprise 10–35 % of all agricultural emissions. The potential contributions of ammonia emissions from agriculture to the formation of particulate matter, and to its harmfulness, are questions being addressed by current research. Recent expert reviews have concluded that exposure to airborne particulate matter air pollution contributes to human mortality. Epidemiological evidence suggests that exposures as short as a few hours to a few weeks are associated with small but significant increases in cardiovascular disease-related mortality, and that the size of the effect increases with longer-term exposures. Plausible biological mechanisms for inhaled particulate matter triggering physiological responses in the cardiovascular system have been described, though much remains uncertain. The specific constituents of particulate matter causing the responses have not been identified with certainty, and thus a direct link between emissions from fertilizer use and human health risks has not been demonstrated. Ammonia emissions from fertilizer can be controlled through the choice of source, rate, timing and placement. Key practices already in use to minimize emissions include placement in soil of any fertilizer with potential to release ammonia, and, for urea specifically, use of urease inhibitors, coatings or formulations to slow release. Even though the reduction in risk to human health is not currently well-known enough to be predictable, the evidence is sufficient to warrant recommendations for continued increase in the use of practices designed to reduce ammonia emissions, and for increased research efforts to develop such practices further.
S. Bittman; Jeffrey R. Brook; Albert Bleeker; T. W. Bruulsema. Air Quality, Health Effects and Management of Ammonia Emissions from Fertilizers. Air Quality Management 2013, 261 -277.
AMA StyleS. Bittman, Jeffrey R. Brook, Albert Bleeker, T. W. Bruulsema. Air Quality, Health Effects and Management of Ammonia Emissions from Fertilizers. Air Quality Management. 2013; ():261-277.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. Bittman; Jeffrey R. Brook; Albert Bleeker; T. W. Bruulsema. 2013. "Air Quality, Health Effects and Management of Ammonia Emissions from Fertilizers." Air Quality Management , no. : 261-277.
Existing descriptions of bi-directional ammonia (NH 3 ) land–atmosphere exchange incorporate temperature and moisture controls, and are beginning to be used in regional chemical transport models. However, such models have typically applied simpler emission factors to upscale the main NH 3 emission terms. While this approach has successfully simulated the main spatial patterns on local to global scales, it fails to address the environment- and climate-dependence of emissions. To handle these issues, we outline the basis for a new modelling paradigm where both NH 3 emissions and deposition are calculated online according to diurnal, seasonal and spatial differences in meteorology. We show how measurements reveal a strong, but complex pattern of climatic dependence, which is increasingly being characterized using ground-based NH 3 monitoring and satellite observations, while advances in process-based modelling are illustrated for agricultural and natural sources, including a global application for seabird colonies. A future architecture for NH 3 emission–deposition modelling is proposed that integrates the spatio-temporal interactions, and provides the necessary foundation to assess the consequences of climate change. Based on available measurements, a first empirical estimate suggests that 5°C warming would increase emissions by 42 per cent (28–67%). Together with increased anthropogenic activity, global NH 3 emissions may increase from 65 (45–85) Tg N in 2008 to reach 132 (89–179) Tg by 2100.
Mark A. Sutton; Stefan Reis; Stuart N. Riddick; Ulrike Dragosits; Eiko Nemitz; Mark R. Theobald; Y. Sim Tang; Christine Braban; Massimo Vieno; Anthony J. Dore; Robert F. Mitchell; Sarah Wanless; Francis Daunt; David Fowler; Trevor D. Blackall; Celia Milford; Chris Flechard; Benjamin Loubet; Raia Massad; Pierre Cellier; Erwan Personne; Pierre F. Coheur; Lieven Clarisse; Martin Van Damme; Yasmine Ngadi; Cathy Clerbaux; Carsten Ambelas Skjøth; Camilla Geels; Ole Hertel; Roy J. Wichink Kruit; Robert W. Pinder; Jesse Bash; John Walker; David Simpson; László Horváth; Tom Misselbrook; Albert Bleeker; Frank Dentener; Wim de Vries. Towards a climate-dependent paradigm of ammonia emission and deposition. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 2013, 368, 20130166 .
AMA StyleMark A. Sutton, Stefan Reis, Stuart N. Riddick, Ulrike Dragosits, Eiko Nemitz, Mark R. Theobald, Y. Sim Tang, Christine Braban, Massimo Vieno, Anthony J. Dore, Robert F. Mitchell, Sarah Wanless, Francis Daunt, David Fowler, Trevor D. Blackall, Celia Milford, Chris Flechard, Benjamin Loubet, Raia Massad, Pierre Cellier, Erwan Personne, Pierre F. Coheur, Lieven Clarisse, Martin Van Damme, Yasmine Ngadi, Cathy Clerbaux, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Camilla Geels, Ole Hertel, Roy J. Wichink Kruit, Robert W. Pinder, Jesse Bash, John Walker, David Simpson, László Horváth, Tom Misselbrook, Albert Bleeker, Frank Dentener, Wim de Vries. Towards a climate-dependent paradigm of ammonia emission and deposition. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2013; 368 (1621):20130166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark A. Sutton; Stefan Reis; Stuart N. Riddick; Ulrike Dragosits; Eiko Nemitz; Mark R. Theobald; Y. Sim Tang; Christine Braban; Massimo Vieno; Anthony J. Dore; Robert F. Mitchell; Sarah Wanless; Francis Daunt; David Fowler; Trevor D. Blackall; Celia Milford; Chris Flechard; Benjamin Loubet; Raia Massad; Pierre Cellier; Erwan Personne; Pierre F. Coheur; Lieven Clarisse; Martin Van Damme; Yasmine Ngadi; Cathy Clerbaux; Carsten Ambelas Skjøth; Camilla Geels; Ole Hertel; Roy J. Wichink Kruit; Robert W. Pinder; Jesse Bash; John Walker; David Simpson; László Horváth; Tom Misselbrook; Albert Bleeker; Frank Dentener; Wim de Vries. 2013. "Towards a climate-dependent paradigm of ammonia emission and deposition." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 368, no. 1621: 20130166.
The demand for more food is increasing fertilizer and land use, and the demand for more energy is increasing fossil fuel combustion, leading to enhanced losses of reactive nitrogen (N r ) to the environment. Many thresholds for human and ecosystem health have been exceeded owing to N r pollution, including those for drinking water (nitrates), air quality (smog, particulate matter, ground-level ozone), freshwater eutrophication, biodiversity loss, stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change and coastal ecosystems (dead zones). Each of these environmental effects can be magnified by the ‘nitrogen cascade’: a single atom of N r can trigger a cascade of negative environmental impacts in sequence. Here, we provide an overview of the impact of N r on the environment and human health, including an assessment of the magnitude of different environmental problems, and the relative importance of N r as a contributor to each problem. In some cases, N r loss to the environment is the key driver of effects (e.g. terrestrial and coastal eutrophication, nitrous oxide emissions), whereas in some other situations nitrogen represents a key contributor exacerbating a wider problem (e.g. freshwater pollution, biodiversity loss). In this way, the central role of nitrogen can remain hidden, even though it actually underpins many trans-boundary pollution problems.
Jan Willem Erisman; James N. Galloway; Sybil Seitzinger; Albert Bleeker; Nancy B. Dise; A. M. Roxana Petrescu; Allison Leach; Wim de Vries. Consequences of human modification of the global nitrogen cycle. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 2013, 368, 20130116 .
AMA StyleJan Willem Erisman, James N. Galloway, Sybil Seitzinger, Albert Bleeker, Nancy B. Dise, A. M. Roxana Petrescu, Allison Leach, Wim de Vries. Consequences of human modification of the global nitrogen cycle. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2013; 368 (1621):20130116.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJan Willem Erisman; James N. Galloway; Sybil Seitzinger; Albert Bleeker; Nancy B. Dise; A. M. Roxana Petrescu; Allison Leach; Wim de Vries. 2013. "Consequences of human modification of the global nitrogen cycle." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 368, no. 1621: 20130116.
Nitrogen over the ages! It was discovered in the eighteenth century. The following century, its importance in agriculture was documented and the basic components of its cycle were elucidated. In the twentieth century, a process to provide an inexhaustible supply of reactive N (N r ; all N species except N 2 ) for agricultural, industrial and military uses was invented. This discovery and the extensive burning of fossil fuels meant that by the beginning of the twenty-first century, anthropogenic sources of newly created N r were two to three times that of natural terrestrial sources. This caused a fundamental change in the nitrogen cycle; for the first time, there was the potential for enough food to sustain growing populations and changing dietary patterns. However, most N r created by humans is lost to the environment, resulting in a cascade of negative earth systems impacts—including enhanced acid rain, smog, eutrophication, greenhouse effect and stratospheric ozone depletion, with associated impacts on human and ecosystem health. The impacts continue and will be magnified, as N r is lost to the environment at an even greater rate. Thus, the challenge for the current century is how to optimize the uses of N while minimizing the negative impacts.
James N. Galloway; Allison Leach; Albert Bleeker; Jan Willem Erisman. A chronology of human understanding of the nitrogen cycle. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 2013, 368, 20130120 .
AMA StyleJames N. Galloway, Allison Leach, Albert Bleeker, Jan Willem Erisman. A chronology of human understanding of the nitrogen cycle. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2013; 368 (1621):20130120.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJames N. Galloway; Allison Leach; Albert Bleeker; Jan Willem Erisman. 2013. "A chronology of human understanding of the nitrogen cycle." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 368, no. 1621: 20130120.
Mark A. Sutton; Clare M. Howard; Albert Bleeker; Anjan Datta. The global nutrient challenge: From science to public engagement. Environmental Development 2013, 6, 80 -85.
AMA StyleMark A. Sutton, Clare M. Howard, Albert Bleeker, Anjan Datta. The global nutrient challenge: From science to public engagement. Environmental Development. 2013; 6 ():80-85.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark A. Sutton; Clare M. Howard; Albert Bleeker; Anjan Datta. 2013. "The global nutrient challenge: From science to public engagement." Environmental Development 6, no. : 80-85.
An analysis reveals the huge impact of human activity on the nitrogen cycle in China. With global use of Earth's resources rising per head, the findings call for a re-evaluation of the consumption patterns of developed societies. (See also Letter in Nature, 494, p.459 - link to this related letter is provided in the Related URLs field)\ud \u
Mark A. Sutton; Albert Bleeker. The shape of nitrogen to come. Nature 2013, 494, 435 -437.
AMA StyleMark A. Sutton, Albert Bleeker. The shape of nitrogen to come. Nature. 2013; 494 (7438):435-437.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark A. Sutton; Albert Bleeker. 2013. "The shape of nitrogen to come." Nature 494, no. 7438: 435-437.
In Europe and, increasingly, the rest of the world, the key policy tool for the control of air pollution is the critical load, a level of pollution below which there are no known significant harmful effects on the environment. Critical loads are used to map sensitive regions and habitats, permit individual polluting activities, and frame international negotiations on transboundary air pollution. Despite their fundamental importance in environmental science and policy, there has been no systematic attempt to verify a critical load with field survey data. Here, we use a large dataset of European grasslands along a gradient of nitrogen (N) deposition to show statistically significant declines in the abundance of species from the lowest level of N deposition at which it is possible to identify a change. Approximately 60% of species change points occur at or below the range of the currently established critical load. If this result is found more widely, the underlying principle of no harm in pollution policy may need to be modified to one of informed decisions on how much harm is acceptable. Our results highlight the importance of protecting currently unpolluted areas from new pollution sources, because we cannot rule out ecological impacts from even relatively small increases in reactive N deposition.
Richard J. Payne; Nancy B. Dise; Carly Stevens; David J. Gowing; C. Dupre; E. Dorland; C. Gaudnik; Albert Bleeker; M. Diekmann; D. Alard; Roland Bobbink; D. Fowler; E. Corcket; J. O. Mountford; Vigdis Vandvik; P. A. Aarrestad; S. Muller; Begin Partners. Impact of nitrogen deposition at the species level. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2012, 110, 984 -987.
AMA StyleRichard J. Payne, Nancy B. Dise, Carly Stevens, David J. Gowing, C. Dupre, E. Dorland, C. Gaudnik, Albert Bleeker, M. Diekmann, D. Alard, Roland Bobbink, D. Fowler, E. Corcket, J. O. Mountford, Vigdis Vandvik, P. A. Aarrestad, S. Muller, Begin Partners. Impact of nitrogen deposition at the species level. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2012; 110 (3):984-987.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard J. Payne; Nancy B. Dise; Carly Stevens; David J. Gowing; C. Dupre; E. Dorland; C. Gaudnik; Albert Bleeker; M. Diekmann; D. Alard; Roland Bobbink; D. Fowler; E. Corcket; J. O. Mountford; Vigdis Vandvik; P. A. Aarrestad; S. Muller; Begin Partners. 2012. "Impact of nitrogen deposition at the species level." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110, no. 3: 984-987.
Improved management of nitrogen (N) in agriculture is necessary to achieve a sustainable balance between the production of food and other biomass, and the unwanted effects of N on water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity deterioration and human health. To analyse farm N-losses and the complex interactions within farming systems, efficient methods for identifying emissions hotspots and evaluating mitigation measures are therefore needed. The present paper aims to fill this gap at the farm and landscape scales. Six agricultural landscapes in Poland (PL), the Netherlands (NL), France (FR), Italy (IT), Scotland (UK) and Denmark (DK) were studied, and a common method was developed for undertaking farm inventories and the derivation of farm N balances, N surpluses and for evaluating uncertainty for the 222 farms and 11 440 ha of farmland included in the study. In all landscapes, a large variation in the farm N surplus was found, and thereby a large potential for reductions. The highest average N surpluses were found in the most livestock-intensive landscapes of IT, FR, and NL; on average 202 ± 28, 179 ± 63 and 178 ± 20 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. All landscapes showed hotspots, especially from livestock farms, including a special UK case with large-scale landless poultry farming. Overall, the average N surplus from the land-based UK farms dominated by extensive sheep and cattle grazing was only 31 ± 10 kg N ha−1 yr−1, but was similar to the N surplus of PL and DK (122 ± 20 and 146 ± 55 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively) when landless poultry farming was included. We found farm N balances to be a useful indicator for N losses and the potential for improving N management. Significant correlations to N surplus were found, both with ammonia air concentrations and nitrate concentrations in soils and groundwater, measured during the period of N management data collection in the landscapes from 2007–2009. This indicates that farm N surpluses may be used as an independent dataset for validation of measured and modelled N emissions in agricultural landscapes. No significant correlation was found with N measured in surface waters, probably because of spatial and temporal variations in groundwater buffering and biogeochemical reactions affecting N flows from farm to surface waters. A case study of the development in N surplus from the landscape in DK from 1998–2008 showed a 22% reduction related to measures targeted at N emissions from livestock farms. Based on the large differences in N surplus between average N management farms and the most modern and N-efficient farms, it was concluded that additional N-surplus reductions of 25–50%, as compared to the present level, were realistic in all landscapes. The implemented N-surplus method was thus effective for comparing and synthesizing results on farm N emissions and the potentials of mitigation options. It is recommended for use in combination with other methods for the assessment of landscape N emissions and farm N efficiency, including more detailed N source and N sink hotspot mapping, measurements and modelling.
T. Dalgaard; Jerzy Bieńkowski; Albert Bleeker; Ulrike Dragosits; Jean-Louis Drouet; Patrick Durand; A. Frumau; Nicholas Hutchings; A. Kedziora; V. Magliulo; Jørgen E. Olesen; Mark Theobald; Olivier Maury; Nouraya Akkal-Corfini; Pierre Cellier. Farm nitrogen balances in six European landscapes as an indicator for nitrogen losses and basis for improved management. Biogeosciences 2012, 9, 5303 -5321.
AMA StyleT. Dalgaard, Jerzy Bieńkowski, Albert Bleeker, Ulrike Dragosits, Jean-Louis Drouet, Patrick Durand, A. Frumau, Nicholas Hutchings, A. Kedziora, V. Magliulo, Jørgen E. Olesen, Mark Theobald, Olivier Maury, Nouraya Akkal-Corfini, Pierre Cellier. Farm nitrogen balances in six European landscapes as an indicator for nitrogen losses and basis for improved management. Biogeosciences. 2012; 9 (12):5303-5321.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT. Dalgaard; Jerzy Bieńkowski; Albert Bleeker; Ulrike Dragosits; Jean-Louis Drouet; Patrick Durand; A. Frumau; Nicholas Hutchings; A. Kedziora; V. Magliulo; Jørgen E. Olesen; Mark Theobald; Olivier Maury; Nouraya Akkal-Corfini; Pierre Cellier. 2012. "Farm nitrogen balances in six European landscapes as an indicator for nitrogen losses and basis for improved management." Biogeosciences 9, no. 12: 5303-5321.