Advances of air pollution science: From forest decline to multiple-stress effects on forest ecosystem servicesq

Amsterdam

2010

S. 1986-1989

SonderdruckBandaufführung

167208

Over the past 20 years, the focus of forest science on air pollution has moved from forest decline to
a holistic framework of forest health, and from the effects on forest production to the ecosystem services
provided by forest ecosystems. Hence, future research should focus on the interacting factorial impacts
and resulting antagonistic and synergistic responses of forest trees and ecosystems. The synergistic
effects of air pollution and climatic changes, in particular elevated ozone, altered nitrogen, carbon and
water availability, must be key issues for research. Present evidence suggests air pollution will become
increasingly harmful to forests under climate change, which requires integration amongst various
stressors (abiotic and biotic factors, including competition, parasites and fire), effects on forest services
(production, biodiversity protection, soil protection, sustained water balance, socio-economical relevance)
and assessment approaches (research, monitoring, modeling) to be fostered.