The Ecological Effects of Ozone Exposure on Upland Semi-Natural Vegetation of the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Tropospheric ozone is a pollutant which has been shown to cause
significant effects on crop species, but its impact on semi-natural
vegetation remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaiuate the impact
of ozone on communities of conservation importance within one area
of the UK - the Yorkshire Dales National Park; an upland area was
selected because ozone exposure in upland areas is predicted to be
higher and increase more rapidly than in lowland areas. Individual
plant species and woodland mesocosms taken from the study area
were exposed to ozone under controlled environmental conditions.
The results suggest that species and ecotypes of limestone
communities were relatively insensitive to ozone, but that
characteristic species of woodland ground flora communities could be
adversely affected. The study also identified subtle morphological
changes in grassland species and a greater impact on root compared
with shoot biomass. The results highlight adverse effects on ecological
fitness caused by ozone exposure and the results are placed in the
wider context of woodland ecology.
Keywords: ozone, woodlands, uplands, mesocosms, conservation,
ground flora.