4 Dec 2007 16:00
Unit:
Wageningen University
Location:
Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation:
Wageningen University
Promotor:
prof.dr. F. Berendse (Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology)
Co Promotor:
Dr. H.F. van Dobben (Alterra)
The expected drop in nitrogen deposition may hamper targets set in the Kyoto protocol.
Model calculations show that a drop in nitrogen deposition will result in higher plant diversity, especially in grasslands and heathlands. We calculated that many plant species will profit from these reduced nitrogen inputs. Forests are expected to profit less. However, we also expect that the forest will grow slower, because the deposited nitrogen stimulates tree growth. Lower tree growth implies less carbon sequestration and thus a decrease in the sequestration of carbon dioxide, one of the most important greenhouse gasses. That this decrease may be significant is illustrated by the model simulations. The sequestration for all forests in The Netherlands may drop till 27% of the present sequestration. This reduced sequestration is expected to occur in all countries with present high nitrogen deposition, mainly located in Europe, North America and Asia. This may have a significant impact on the targets set in the Kyoto protocol, which will be more difficult to meet.
Title thesis: "Simulation of vegetation dynamics as affected by nitrogen deposition"