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Moya P, Chiva S, Catalá M, Garmendia A, Casale M, Gomez J, Pazos T, Giordani P, Calatayud V, Barreno E. Lichen Biodiversity and Near-Infrared Metabolomic Fingerprint as Diagnostic and Prognostic Complementary Tools for Biomonitoring: A Case Study in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1064. [PMID: 37998870 PMCID: PMC10672448 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the 1990s, a sampling network for the biomonitoring of forests using epiphytic lichen diversity was established in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. This area registered air pollution impacts by winds from the Andorra thermal power plant, as well as from photo-oxidants and nitrogen depositions from local and long-distance transport. In 1997, an assessment of the state of lichen communities was carried out by calculating the Index of Atmospheric Purity. In addition, visible symptoms of morphological injury were recorded in nine macrolichens pre-selected by the speed of symptom evolution and their wide distribution in the territory. The thermal power plant has been closed and inactive since 2020. During 2022, almost 25 years later, seven stations of this previously established biomonitoring were revaluated. To compare the results obtained in 1997 and 2022, the same methodology was used, and data from air quality stations were included. We tested if, by integrating innovative methodologies (NIRS) into biomonitoring tools, it is possible to render an integrated response. The results displayed a general decrease in biodiversity in several of the sampling plots and a generalised increase in damage symptoms in the target lichen species studied in 1997, which seem to be the consequence of a multifactorial response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Moya
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE)—Departament de Botànica, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, Burjassot, E-46100 València, Spain; (S.C.); (T.P.); (E.B.)
| | - Salvador Chiva
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE)—Departament de Botànica, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, Burjassot, E-46100 València, Spain; (S.C.); (T.P.); (E.B.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Myriam Catalá
- Instituto de Investigación de Cambio Global (IICG), Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, School of Experimental Science & Technology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Av. Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, E-28933 Madrid, Spain; (M.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Alfonso Garmendia
- Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Departamento de Ecosistemas Agroforestales, Universitat Politècnica de València, E-46022 València, Spain;
| | - Monica Casale
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano, 4, 16148 Genova, Italy; (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Jose Gomez
- Instituto de Investigación de Cambio Global (IICG), Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, School of Experimental Science & Technology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Av. Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, E-28933 Madrid, Spain; (M.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Tamara Pazos
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE)—Departament de Botànica, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, Burjassot, E-46100 València, Spain; (S.C.); (T.P.); (E.B.)
| | - Paolo Giordani
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano, 4, 16148 Genova, Italy; (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Vicent Calatayud
- Fundación CEAM, Charles R. Darwin, 14, Paterna, E-46980 València, Spain;
| | - Eva Barreno
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE)—Departament de Botànica, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, Burjassot, E-46100 València, Spain; (S.C.); (T.P.); (E.B.)
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Niepsch D, Clarke LJ, Newton J, Tzoulas K, Cavan G. High spatial resolution assessment of air quality in urban centres using lichen carbon, nitrogen and sulfur contents and stable-isotope-ratio signatures. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:58731-58754. [PMID: 36991207 PMCID: PMC10163116 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26652-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution and poor air quality is impacting human health globally and is a major cause of respiratory and cardiovascular disease and damage to human organ systems. Automated air quality monitoring stations continuously record airborne pollutant concentrations, but are restricted in number, costly to maintain and cannot document all spatial variability of airborne pollutants. Biomonitors, such as lichens, are commonly used as an inexpensive alternative to assess the degree of pollution and monitor air quality. However, only a few studies combined lichen carbon, nitrogen and sulfur contents, with their stable-isotope-ratio signatures (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S values) to assess spatial variability of air quality and to 'fingerprint' potential pollution sources. In this study, a high-spatial resolution lichen biomonitoring approach (using Xanthoria parietina and Physcia spp.) was applied to the City of Manchester (UK), the centre of the urban conurbation Greater Manchester, including considerations of its urban characteristics (e.g., building heights and traffic statistics), to investigate finer spatial detail urban air quality. Lichen wt% N and δ15N signatures, combined with lichen nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) concentrations, suggest a complex mixture of airborne NOx and NHx compounds across Manchester. In contrast, lichen S wt%, combined with δ34S strongly suggest anthropogenic sulfur sources, whereas C wt% and δ13C signatures were not considered reliable indicators of atmospheric carbon emissions. Manchester's urban attributes were found to influence lichen pollutant loadings, suggesting deteriorated air quality in proximity to highly trafficked roads and densely built-up areas. Lichen elemental contents and stable-isotope-ratio signatures can be used to identify areas of poor air quality, particularly at locations not covered by automated air quality measurement stations. Therefore, lichen biomonitoring approaches provide a beneficial method to supplement automated monitoring stations and also to assess finer spatial variability of urban air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Niepsch
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.
| | - Leon J Clarke
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
| | - Jason Newton
- Stable Isotope Ecology Laboratory, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), East Kilbride, G75 0QF, UK
| | - Konstantinos Tzoulas
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
| | - Gina Cavan
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
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Stanton DE, Ormond A, Koch NM, Colesie C. Lichen ecophysiology in a changing climate. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2023; 110:e16131. [PMID: 36795943 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lichens are one of the most iconic and ubiquitous symbioses known, widely valued as indicators of environmental quality and, more recently, climate change. Our understanding of lichen responses to climate has greatly expanded in recent decades, but some biases and constraints have shaped our present knowledge. In this review we focus on lichen ecophysiology as a key to predicting responses to present and future climates, highlighting recent advances and remaining challenges. Lichen ecophysiology is best understood through complementary whole-thallus and within-thallus scales. Water content and form (vapor or liquid) are central to whole-thallus perspectives, making vapor pressure differential (VPD) a particularly informative environmental driver. Responses to water content are further modulated by photobiont physiology and whole-thallus phenotype, providing clear links to a functional trait framework. However, this thallus-level perspective is incomplete without also considering within-thallus dynamics, such as changing proportions or even identities of symbionts in response to climate, nutrients, and other stressors. These changes provide pathways for acclimation, but their understanding is currently limited by large gaps in our understanding of carbon allocation and symbiont turnover in lichens. Lastly, the study of lichen physiology has mainly prioritized larger lichens at high latitudes, producing valuable insights but underrepresenting the range of lichenized lineages and ecologies. Key areas for future work include improving geographic and phylogenetic coverage, greater emphasis on VPD as a climatic factor, advances in the study of carbon allocation and symbiont turnover, and the incorporation of physiological theory and functional traits in our predictive models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Stanton
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 140 Gortner Laboratory, 1479 Gortner Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Amaris Ormond
- Global Change Institute, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9FF, UK
| | - Natalia M Koch
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 140 Gortner Laboratory, 1479 Gortner Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Claudia Colesie
- Global Change Institute, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9FF, UK
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Greaver T, McDow S, Phelan J, Kaylor SD, Herrick JD, Jovan S. Synthesis of lichen response to gaseous nitrogen: ammonia versus nitrogen dioxide. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2023; 292:1-13. [PMID: 37475978 PMCID: PMC10355123 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The dominant chemical form of nitrogen pollution in the atmosphere in the U.S. is shifting from oxidized nitrogen, primarily from combustion of fossil fuels, to reduced nitrogen from agricultural animal waste and fertilizer applications. Does it matter to lichens? In this synthesis, we characterize U.S. air concentrations of the most ubiquitous gaseous forms of reduced and oxidized nitrogen, NO2 and NH3, respectively, and their direct effects on lichens. In the U.S., the 3-year average (2017-2019) of the annual mean for each monitoring site ranges up to 56.4 μg NO2 m-3 (~30 ppb) and 6 μg NH3 m-3 (~9 ppb). The spatial coverage of current routine monitoring of NO2 and NH3 likely does not accurately represent exposures of NO2 to ecosystems in rural areas or capture spikes of NH3 concentrations proximal to intensive agriculture, which are documented to exceed 700 μg NH3 m-3 (~1000 ppb) for short durations. Both NO2 and NH3 can act as nutrients to lichens, but as exposures rise, both can cause physiological stress and mortality that then change community composition and diversity. There is a growing body of evidence that lichen community composition is altered at current levels of exposure in the U.S. with estimated no effect or lowest effect concentrations from <1-3 μg m-3 NO2 and <1 μg m-3 NH3. Better spatial characterization of both NO2 and NH3 concentrations, especially near intensive agriculture, would help to characterize the extent of the impacts across the U.S. These findings are discussed in the context of U.S. air pollution policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Greaver
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Stephen McDow
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | | | - S. Douglas Kaylor
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Jeffrey D. Herrick
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Sarah Jovan
- USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, 620 SW Main, Suite 502, Portland, OR 97205, USA
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Concostrina-Zubiri L, Prieto M, Hurtado P, Escudero A, Martínez I. Functional diversity regulates the effects of habitat degradation on biocrust phylogenetic and taxonomic diversities. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2599. [PMID: 35343001 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biocrusts are major contributors to dryland diversity, functioning, and services. However, little is known about how habitat degradation will impact multiple facets of biocrust diversity and measurable functional traits. We evaluated changes in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of biocrust-forming lichens along a habitat degradation gradient related to the presence of linear infrastructure (i.e., a road) and a profound agricultural driven transformation. To do so, we selected 50 remnants of a Mediterranean shrubland. We considered several surrogates of habitat quality and causal disturbance on the various diversity facets of biocrusts by using structural equation modeling, hypothesizing that habitat degradation primarily affects functional diversity, which in turn regulates changes in taxonomic and phylogenetic diversities, and also that taxonomic and phylogenetic diversities are coupled. Fragment connectivity, distance to linear infrastructure (i.e., a road) and, particularly, soil fertility (i.e., soil P concentration), had mostly negative effects on biocrust functional diversity, which in turn affected both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversities. However, we found no direct effects of habitat degradation variables on the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversities. We also found that increases in phylogenetic diversity had a positive effect on taxonomic diversity along the habitat degradation gradient. Our results indicate that functional diversity of biocrusts is strongly affected by habitat degradation, which may profoundly alter their contribution to ecosystem functioning and services. Furthermore, functional diversity regulates the response of biocrust taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity to habitat degradation. These findings indicate that habitat degradation alters and simplifies the diversity of functional traits of biocrust-forming lichens, leading to biodiversity loss, with important consequences for the conservation of global drylands biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Prieto
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Hurtado
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología (Botánica), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián Escudero
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Martínez
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
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7
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Oksuz DP, Aguiar CA, Tápia S, Llop E, Lopes P, Serrano AR, Leal AI, Correia O, Matos P, Rainho A, Branquinho C, Correia RA, Palmeirim JM. The contribution of small shrubby patches to the functional diversity of wood-pastures. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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8
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Grilo F, Pinho P, Aleixo C, Catita C, Silva P, Lopes N, Freitas C, Santos-Reis M, McPhearson T, Branquinho C. Using green to cool the grey: Modelling the cooling effect of green spaces with a high spatial resolution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 724:138182. [PMID: 32408445 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The urban heat island effect creates warmer and drier conditions in urban areas than in their surrounding rural areas. This effect is predicted to be exacerbated in the future, under a climate change scenario. One way to mitigate this effect is to use the urban green infrastructure as a way to promote the cooling island effect. In this study we aimed to model, with a high spatial resolution, how Mediterranean urban parks can be maximized to be used as cooling islands, by answering the following questions: i) which factors influence the cooling effect and when?; ii) what type of green spaces contributes the most to the cooling effect?; iii) what is the cooling distance of influence? To answer these questions we established a sampling design where temperature and relative humidity were measured in different seasons, in locations with contrasting characteristics of green and grey cover. We were able to model the effect of green and grey spaces in the cooling island effect and build high spatial resolution predicting maps for temperature and relative humidity. Our study showed that even green spaces with reduced areas can regulate microclimate, alleviating temperature by 1-3 °C and increasing moisture by 2-8%, on average. Green spaces with a higher density of trees were more efficient in delivering the cooling effect. The morphology, aspect and level of exposure of grey surfaces to the solar radiation were also important features included in the models. Green spaces influenced temperature and relative humidity up to 60 m away from the parks' limits, whereas grey areas influenced in a much lesser range, from 5 m up to 10 m. These models can now be used by citizens and stakeholders for green spaces management and human well-being impact assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Grilo
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Aleixo
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Catita
- Instituto Dom Luiz, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Silva
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility of the City Council of Almada, Portugal
| | - Nuno Lopes
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility of the City Council of Almada, Portugal
| | - Catarina Freitas
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility of the City Council of Almada, Portugal
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Timon McPhearson
- Urban Systems Lab, The New School, New York, NY, USA; Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA; Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
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Matos P, Vieira J, Rocha B, Branquinho C, Pinho P. Modeling the provision of air-quality regulation ecosystem service provided by urban green spaces using lichens as ecological indicators. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 665:521-530. [PMID: 30776623 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The UN Sustainable Development Goals states that urban air pollution must be tackled to create more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. Urban green infrastructures can mitigate air pollution, but a crucial step to use this knowledge into urban management is to quantify how much air-quality regulation can green spaces provide and to understand how the provision of this ecosystem service is affected by other environmental factors. Considering the insufficient number of air quality monitoring stations in cities to monitor the wide range of natural and anthropic sources of pollution with high spatial resolution, ecological indicators of air quality are an alternative cost-effective tool. The aim of this work was to model the supply of air-quality regulation based on urban green spaces characteristics and other environmental factors. For that, we sampled lichen diversity in the centroids of 42 urban green spaces in Lisbon, Portugal. Species richness was the best biodiversity metric responding to air pollution, considering its simplicity and its significative response to the air pollutants concentration data measured in the existent air quality monitoring stations. Using that metric, we then created a model to estimate the supply of air quality regulation provided by green spaces in all green spaces of Lisbon based on the response to the following environmental drivers: the urban green spaces size and its vegetation density. We also used the unexplained variance of this model to map the background air pollution. Overall, we suggest that management should target the smallest urban green spaces by increasing green space size or tree density. The use of ecological indicators, very flexible in space, allow the understanding and the modeling of the provision of air-quality regulation by urban green spaces, and how urban green spaces can be managed to improve air quality and thus improve human well-being and cities resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Matos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Vieira
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bernardo Rocha
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
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10
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May the Diversity of Epiphytic Lichens Be Used in Environmental Forensics? DIVERSITY-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11030036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Epiphytic (tree inhabiting) lichens, well-known biomonitors of atmospheric pollution, have a great potential for being used in environmental forensics. Monitoring changes in biodiversity is a useful method for evaluating the quality of an ecosystem. Lichen species occurring within an area show measurable responses to environmental changes, and lichen biodiversity counts can be taken as reliable estimates of environmental quality, with high values corresponding to unpolluted or low polluted conditions and low values to polluted ones. Lichen diversity studies may be very useful in the framework of environmental forensics, since they may highlight the biological effects of pollutants and constitute the base for epidemiological studies. It is thus of paramount importance that great care is taken in the interpretation of the results, especially in the context of a rapidly changing environment and facing global change scenarios. For this reason, it seems advisable to produce several zonal maps, each based on different species groups, and each interpreted in a different way. This exercise could also be a valid support in the framework of a sensitivity analysis, to support or reject the primary results. In addition, a clear and formal expression of the overall uncertainty of the outputs is absolutely necessary.
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11
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Koch NM, Matos P, Branquinho C, Pinho P, Lucheta F, Martins SMDA, Vargas VMF. Selecting lichen functional traits as ecological indicators of the effects of urban environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 654:705-713. [PMID: 30448661 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution and the urban heat island effect are known to directly affect ecosystems in urban areas. Lichens, which are widely known as good ecological indicators of air quality and of climatic conditions, can be a valuable tool to monitor environmental changes in urban environments. The objective of this work was to select lichen functional traits and functional groups that can be used as ecological indicators of the effects of urbanization, with emphasis in the Southern subtropics, where this had never been done. For that, we assessed lichen functional composition in urban sites with different population density, which was considered as proxy for grouping sites in two levels of urbanization (low and medium/high). This a priori grouping was based on their significantly differences on air pollutants and land cover. Urbanization and air pollution showed to affect all lichen functional traits, with different responses depending on the functional group. Medium/high density urbanization was associated to an increase on the mean relative abundance of lichens with chlorococcoid green algae, foliose narrow lobes, soredia as the main reproduction strategy, pruinose thallus and containing secondary metabolites for chemical protection. Lower density urbanization showed a higher relative frequency of cyanolichens and lichens with Trentepohlia as the main algae, loosely attached crustose thallus and isidia as the main reproductive structure. The differences found on photobiont and growth form traits in response to the environmental variables used as proxies of microclimatic conditions (forest cover and number of trees around the sampling units), enabled us to detect the urban heat island effect (drier conditions in more urbanized sites).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Mossmann Koch
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, CEP 90650-001 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Paula Matos
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-004, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-004, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pinho
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-004, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fabiane Lucheta
- Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Botany Laboratory, Universidade Feevale, Rodovia ERS 239, 2755, CEP 93525-075 Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil
| | - Suzana Ma de Azevedo Martins
- Botany Department, Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul, R. Dr. Salvador França, 1427, Jardim Botânico, CEP 90690-000 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vera Ma Ferrão Vargas
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, CEP 90650-001 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Serrano HC, Oliveira MA, Barros C, Augusto AS, Pereira MJ, Pinho P, Branquinho C. Measuring and mapping the effectiveness of the European Air Quality Directive in reducing N and S deposition at the ecosystem level. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 647:1531-1538. [PMID: 30282327 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To protect human health and the environment (namely ecosystems), international air quality protocols and guidelines, like the Gothenburg protocol (1999) and the 2001 EU Air Quality Directive (NECD), conveyed national emission ceilings for atmospheric pollutants (Directive 2001/81/EC), including the reduction of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) emissions by 2010. However, to what degree this expected reduction in emissions had reflections at the ecosystem level (i.e. pollutant levels reaching and impacting ecosystems and their organisms) remains unknown. Here, we used lichens as ecological indicators, together with reported air and precipitation pollutant concentrations, to determine and map the consequences of the S and N atmospheric emission's reduction, during the implementation of the 2001 Directive (in 2002 and 2011), due primarily to the industrial-sector. The study area is a mixed-land-use industrialized Mediterranean agroforest ecosystem, in southwest Europe. The reduction of S emissions (2002-2011) was reflected at the ecosystem level, as the same S-declining trend was observed in atmospheric measurement stations and lichens alike (-70%), indicating that most S deposited to the ecosystem had an industrial origin. However, this was not the case for N with a slight N-reduction near industrial facilities, but mostly N-deposition in lichens increased in areas dominated by agricultural land-uses. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of going beyond emissions estimation and modeling, to assess the success of the implementation of the NECD in lowering pollutant accumulation in living organisms and their environment. This can only be achieved by measuring pollutant deposition at the ecosystem level (e.g. living organisms). By doing so, we were able to show that the 2001 NECD was successful in reducing S concentrations from Industry, whereas N remains a challenge. Despite the small reduction in N-emissions, deposition into ecosystems did not reflect these changes as agriculture and transport sectors must reduce NH3 and NOx emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Cristina Serrano
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maria Alexandra Oliveira
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Ceres Barros
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sofia Augusto
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Pereira
- Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
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13
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Ribeiro MC, Pereira MJ. Modelling local uncertainty in relations between birth weight and air quality within an urban area: combining geographically weighted regression with geostatistical simulation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:25942-25954. [PMID: 29961906 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2614-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we combine known methods to present a new approach to assess local distributions of estimated parameters measuring associations between air quality and birth weight in the urban area of Sines (Portugal). To model exposure and capture short-distance variations in air quality, we use a Regression Kriging estimator combining air quality point data with land use auxiliary data. To assess uncertainty of exposure, the Kriging estimator is incorporated in a sequential Gaussian simulation algorithm (sGs) providing a set of simulated exposure maps with similar spatial structural dependence and statistical properties of observed data. Following the completion of the simulation runs, we fit a geographically weighted generalized linear model (GWGLM) for each mother's place of residence, using observed health data and simulated exposure data, and repeat this procedure for each simulated map. Once the fit of GWGLM with all exposure maps is finished, we take the distribution of local estimated parameters measuring associations between exposure and birth weight, thus providing a measure of uncertainty in the local estimates. Results reveal that the distribution of local parameters did not vary substantially. Combining both methods (GWGLM and sGs), however, we are able to incorporate local uncertainty on the estimated associations providing an additional tool for analysis of the impacts of place in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Castro Ribeiro
- CERENA, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Pereira
- CERENA, DECivil, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
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14
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Concostrina-Zubiri L, Martínez I, Escudero A. Lichen-biocrust diversity in a fragmented dryland: Fine scale factors are better predictors than landscape structure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 628-629:882-892. [PMID: 29455138 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Concostrina-Zubiri
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n., E-28933 Móstoles, Spain; Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 6, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Martínez
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n., E-28933 Móstoles, Spain
| | - Adrián Escudero
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n., E-28933 Móstoles, Spain
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15
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Zarabska-Bożejewicz D, Kujawa K. The effect of land use on taxonomical and functional diversity of lichens in an agricultural landscape. FUNGAL ECOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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16
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Vieira J, Matos P, Mexia T, Silva P, Lopes N, Freitas C, Correia O, Santos-Reis M, Branquinho C, Pinho P. Green spaces are not all the same for the provision of air purification and climate regulation services: The case of urban parks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 160:306-313. [PMID: 29040950 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The growing human population concentrated in urban areas lead to the increase of road traffic and artificial areas, consequently enhancing air pollution and urban heat island effects, among others. These environmental changes affect citizen's health, causing a high number of premature deaths, with considerable social and economic costs. Nature-based solutions are essential to ameliorate those impacts in urban areas. While the mere presence of urban green spaces is pointed as an overarching solution, the relative importance of specific vegetation structure, composition and management to improve the ecosystem services of air purification and climate regulation are overlooked. This avoids the establishment of optimized planning and management procedures for urban green spaces with high spatial resolution and detail. Our aim was to understand the relative contribution of vegetation structure, composition and management for the provision of ecosystem services of air purification and climate regulation in urban green spaces, in particular the case of urban parks. This work was done in a large urban park with different types of vegetation surrounded by urban areas. As indicators of microclimatic effects and of air pollution levels we selected different metrics: lichen diversity and pollutants accumulation in lichens. Among lichen diversity, functional traits related to nutrient and water requirements were used as surrogates of the capacity of vegetation to filter air pollution and to regulate climate, and provide air purification and climate regulation ecosystem services, respectively. This was also obtained with very high spatial resolution which allows detailed spatial planning for optimization of ecosystem services. We found that vegetation type characterized by a more complex structure (trees, shrubs and herbaceous layers) and by the absence of management (pruning, irrigation and fertilization) had a higher capacity to provide the ecosystems services of air purification and climate regulation. By contrast, lawns, which have a less complex structure and are highly managed, were associated to a lower capacity to provide these services. Tree plantations showed an intermediate effect between the other two types of vegetation. Thus, vegetation structure, composition and management are important to optimize green spaces capacity to purify air and regulate climate. Taking this into account green spaces can be managed at high spatial resolutions to optimize these ecosystem services in urban areas and contribute to improve human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Vieira
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Paula Matos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Teresa Mexia
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Estudos Florestais, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Edif´cio Prof. Azevedo Gomes, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Silva
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility of the City Council of Almada.
| | - Nuno Lopes
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility of the City Council of Almada.
| | - Catarina Freitas
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility of the City Council of Almada.
| | - Otília Correia
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa; Av. Rovisco Pais 1049-001 Lisboa Portugal.
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17
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Mexia T, Vieira J, Príncipe A, Anjos A, Silva P, Lopes N, Freitas C, Santos-Reis M, Correia O, Branquinho C, Pinho P. Ecosystem services: Urban parks under a magnifying glass. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 160:469-478. [PMID: 29078140 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas' population has grown during the last century and it is expected that over 60% of the world population will live in cities by 2050. Urban parks provide several ecosystem services that are valuable to the well-being of city-dwellers and they are also considered a nature-based solution to tackle multiple environmental problems in cities. However, the type and amount of ecosystem services provided will vary with each park vegetation type, even within same the park. Our main goal was to quantify the trade-offs in ecosystem services associated to different vegetation types, using a spatially detailed approach. Rather than relying solely on general vegetation typologies, we took a more ecologically oriented approach, by explicitly considering different units of vegetation structure and composition. This was demonstrated in a large park (44ha) located in the city of Almada (Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal), where six vegetation units were mapped in detail and six ecosystem services were evaluated: carbon sequestration, seed dispersal, erosion prevention, water purification, air purification and habitat quality. The results showed that, when looking at the park in detail, some ecosystem services varied greatly with vegetation type. Carbon sequestration was positively influenced by tree density, independently of species composition. Seed dispersal potential was higher in lawns, and mixed forest provided the highest amount of habitat quality. Air purification service was slightly higher in mixed forest, but was high in all vegetation types, probably due to low background pollution, and both water purification and erosion prevention were high in all vegetation types. Knowing the type, location, and amount of ecosystem services provided by each vegetation type can help to improve management options based on ecosystem services trade-offs and looking for win-win situations. The trade-offs are, for example, very clear for carbon: tree planting will boost carbon sequestration regardless of species, but may not be enough to increase habitat quality. Moreover, it may also negatively influence seed dispersal service. Informed practitioners can use this ecological knowledge to promote the role of urban parks as a nature-based solution to provide multiple ecosystem services, and ultimately improve the design and management of the green infrastructure. This will also improve the science of Ecosystem Services, acknowledging that the type of vegetation matters for the provision of ecosystem services and trade-offs analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Mexia
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Joana Vieira
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Adriana Príncipe
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Andreia Anjos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Silva
- Divisão de Estudos e Gestão Ambiental e de Energia, Departamento de Energia, Clima, Ambiente e Mobilidade, Direção Municipal de Ambiente, Mobilidade, Energia e Valorização Urbana, Câmara Municipal de Almada, Casa Municipal do Ambiente, Rua Bernardo Francisco da Costa, 42, 2800-029 Almada, Portugal.
| | - Nuno Lopes
- Divisão de Estudos e Gestão Ambiental e de Energia, Departamento de Energia, Clima, Ambiente e Mobilidade, Direção Municipal de Ambiente, Mobilidade, Energia e Valorização Urbana, Câmara Municipal de Almada, Casa Municipal do Ambiente, Rua Bernardo Francisco da Costa, 42, 2800-029 Almada, Portugal.
| | - Catarina Freitas
- Divisão de Estudos e Gestão Ambiental e de Energia, Departamento de Energia, Clima, Ambiente e Mobilidade, Direção Municipal de Ambiente, Mobilidade, Energia e Valorização Urbana, Câmara Municipal de Almada, Casa Municipal do Ambiente, Rua Bernardo Francisco da Costa, 42, 2800-029 Almada, Portugal.
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Otília Correia
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
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18
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Munzi S, Cruz C, Maia R, Máguas C, Perestrello-Ramos MM, Branquinho C. Intra- and inter-specific variations in chitin in lichens along a N-deposition gradient. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:28065-28071. [PMID: 28994014 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0378-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms of nitrogen (N) tolerance in lichens are not yet fully understood. Here, we investigated how the increase of chitin content is related with N excess at inter- and intra-specific levels, by using species with differing ecological N tolerances (the tolerant Xanthoria parietina and Parmotrema hypoleucinum and the sensitive Evernia prunastri and Usnea sp.) and thalli of X. parietina and P. hypoleucinum from sites with different availabilities of N of agricultural origin (livestock), as confirmed by lichen N content and δ15N. Nitrogen, chitin (N-containing compound), and ergosterol contents were measured in lichen thalli. Nitrogen and chitin contents were higher in tolerant species than those in sensitive ones (inter-specific level) and in thalli collected from the N-polluted site than in thalli from the clean site (intra-specific level). We suggest that chitin contributes to N stress tolerance in lichens, and that excess N can be partially stored as chitin (non-toxic form) in the cell walls of tolerant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Munzi
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Cristina Cruz
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Maia
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Máguas
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Margarida Perestrello-Ramos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
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19
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Pinho P, Barros C, Augusto S, Pereira MJ, Máguas C, Branquinho C. Using nitrogen concentration and isotopic composition in lichens to spatially assess the relative contribution of atmospheric nitrogen sources in complex landscapes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 230:632-638. [PMID: 28711823 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is an important driver of global change, causing alterations in ecosystem biodiversity and functionality. Environmental assessments require monitoring the emission and deposition of both the amount and types of Nr. This is especially important in heterogeneous landscapes, as different land-cover types emit particular forms of Nr to the atmosphere, which can impact ecosystems distinctively. Such assessments require high spatial resolution maps that also integrate temporal variations, and can only be feasibly achieved by using ecological indicators. Our aim was to rank land-cover types according to the amount and form of emitted atmospheric Nr in a complex landscape with multiple sources of N. To do so, we measured and mapped nitrogen concentration and isotopic composition in lichen thalli, which we then related to land-cover data. Results suggested that, at the landscape scale, intensive agriculture and urban areas were the most important sources of Nr to the atmosphere. Additionally, the ocean greatly influences Nr in land, by providing air with low Nr concentration and a unique isotopic composition. These results have important consequences for managing air pollution at the regional level, as they provide critical information for modeling Nr emission and deposition across regional as well as continental scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (CE3C-FC-ULisboa), Edifício C2, 5º piso, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-Técnico/ULisboa), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - C Barros
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (CE3C-FC-ULisboa), Edifício C2, 5º piso, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine (LECA), Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine (LECA), CNRS, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - S Augusto
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (CE3C-FC-ULisboa), Edifício C2, 5º piso, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; ISPUP-EPIUnit, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - M J Pereira
- Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-Técnico/ULisboa), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Máguas
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (CE3C-FC-ULisboa), Edifício C2, 5º piso, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (CE3C-FC-ULisboa), Edifício C2, 5º piso, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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20
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Ochoa-Hueso R, Munzi S, Alonso R, Arróniz-Crespo M, Avila A, Bermejo V, Bobbink R, Branquinho C, Concostrina-Zubiri L, Cruz C, Cruz de Carvalho R, De Marco A, Dias T, Elustondo D, Elvira S, Estébanez B, Fusaro L, Gerosa G, Izquieta-Rojano S, Lo Cascio M, Marzuoli R, Matos P, Mereu S, Merino J, Morillas L, Nunes A, Paoletti E, Paoli L, Pinho P, Rogers IB, Santos A, Sicard P, Stevens CJ, Theobald MR. Ecological impacts of atmospheric pollution and interactions with climate change in terrestrial ecosystems of the Mediterranean Basin: Current research and future directions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 227:194-206. [PMID: 28460237 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mediterranean Basin ecosystems, their unique biodiversity, and the key services they provide are currently at risk due to air pollution and climate change, yet only a limited number of isolated and geographically-restricted studies have addressed this topic, often with contrasting results. Particularities of air pollution in this region include high O3 levels due to high air temperatures and solar radiation, the stability of air masses, and dominance of dry over wet nitrogen deposition. Moreover, the unique abiotic and biotic factors (e.g., climate, vegetation type, relevance of Saharan dust inputs) modulating the response of Mediterranean ecosystems at various spatiotemporal scales make it difficult to understand, and thus predict, the consequences of human activities that cause air pollution in the Mediterranean Basin. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement coordinated research and experimental platforms along with wider environmental monitoring networks in the region. In particular, a robust deposition monitoring network in conjunction with modelling estimates is crucial, possibly including a set of common biomonitors (ideally cryptogams, an important component of the Mediterranean vegetation), to help refine pollutant deposition maps. Additionally, increased attention must be paid to functional diversity measures in future air pollution and climate change studies to establish the necessary link between biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services in Mediterranean ecosystems. Through a coordinated effort, the Mediterranean scientific community can fill the above-mentioned gaps and reach a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the combined effects of air pollution and climate change in the Mediterranean Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Autonomous University of Madrid, Department of Ecology, 2 Darwin Street, Madrid 28049, Spain.
| | - Silvana Munzi
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rocío Alonso
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - María Arróniz-Crespo
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Avila
- Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Victoria Bermejo
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Roland Bobbink
- B-WARE Research Centre, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Laura Concostrina-Zubiri
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Cruz
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Teresa Dias
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David Elustondo
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Navarre, Irunlarrea, 1-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Susana Elvira
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Belén Estébanez
- Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Botánica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Darwin 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lina Fusaro
- Dept. of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Gerosa
- Dept. of Mathematics and Physics, Catholic University of Brescia, Via dei Musei 41, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sheila Izquieta-Rojano
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Navarre, Irunlarrea, 1-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mauro Lo Cascio
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Marzuoli
- Dept. of Mathematics and Physics, Catholic University of Brescia, Via dei Musei 41, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paula Matos
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Simone Mereu
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - José Merino
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera km. 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lourdes Morillas
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Alice Nunes
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elena Paoletti
- IPSP-CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Paoli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pedro Pinho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; CERENA-IST-UL, Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel B Rogers
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Arthur Santos
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pierre Sicard
- ACRI-ST, 260 route du Pin Montard, BP 234, 06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France
| | - Carly J Stevens
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Mark R Theobald
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
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21
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Santos A, Pinho P, Munzi S, Botelho MJ, Palma-Oliveira JM, Branquinho C. The role of forest in mitigating the impact of atmospheric dust pollution in a mixed landscape. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:12038-12048. [PMID: 28401393 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8964-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric dust pollution, especially particulate matter below 2.5 μm, causes 3.3 million premature deaths per year worldwide. Although pollution sources are increasingly well known, the role of ecosystems in mitigating their impact is still poorly known. Our objective was to investigate the role of forests located in the surrounding of industrial and urban areas in reducing atmospheric dust pollution. This was tested using lichen transplants as biomonitors in a Mediterranean regional area with high levels of dry deposition. After a multivariate analysis, we have modeled the maximum pollution load expected for each site taking into consideration nearby pollutant sources. The difference between maximum expected pollution load and the observed values was explained by the deposition in nearby forests. Both the dust pollution and the ameliorating effect of forested areas were then mapped. The results showed that forest located nearby pollution sources plays an important role in reducing atmospheric dust pollution, highlighting their importance in the provision of the ecosystem service of air purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Santos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, Piso 5, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, Piso 5, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Silvana Munzi
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, Piso 5, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - José Manuel Palma-Oliveira
- CICPSI, Centro de Investigação em Ciência Psicológica da Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, Piso 5, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
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22
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Sujetovienė G. Epiphytic Lichen Diversity as Indicator of Environmental Quality in an Industrial Area (Central Lithuania). POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.3161/15052249pje2017.65.1.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gintarė Sujetovienė
- Vytautas Magnus University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Vileikos 8, LT-44404, Kaunas, Lithuania
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23
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Matos P, Geiser L, Hardman A, Glavich D, Pinho P, Nunes A, Soares AM, Branquinho C. Tracking global change using lichen diversity: towards a global‐scale ecological indicator. Methods Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Matos
- CE3C Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5 Lisboa 1749‐016 Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia CESAM Universidade de Aveiro Campus Universitário de Santiago Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Linda Geiser
- U.S. Department of Agriculture‐Forest Service Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air & Rare Plants Washington DC 20250 USA
| | - Amanda Hardman
- U.S. Department of Agriculture‐Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region Air Resource Management Program Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Doug Glavich
- U.S. Department of Agriculture‐Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region Air Resource Management Program Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Pedro Pinho
- CE3C Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5 Lisboa 1749‐016 Portugal
- CERENA‐Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior Técnico Av. Rovisco Pais Lisboa 1049‐001 Portugal
| | - Alice Nunes
- CE3C Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5 Lisboa 1749‐016 Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia CESAM Universidade de Aveiro Campus Universitário de Santiago Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Amadeu M.V.M. Soares
- Departamento de Biologia CESAM Universidade de Aveiro Campus Universitário de Santiago Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- CE3C Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5 Lisboa 1749‐016 Portugal
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24
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Koch NM, Branquinho C, Matos P, Pinho P, Lucheta F, Martins SMA, Vargas VMF. The application of lichens as ecological surrogates of air pollution in the subtropics: a case study in South Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:20819-20834. [PMID: 27476857 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7256-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The use of lichens as ecological surrogates has been an important tool to evaluate the impact of air pollution in both ecosystem and human health but remains underused in the subtropics due to lack of knowledge. Aiming to support the application of lichen as ecological surrogates of the effects of air pollution in the subtropics, we hypothesized that urbanization was an important driver of changes on lichen diversity, composition, and vitality. For that, we quantified several lichen diversity metrics (richness, cover, and community composition) and photobiont vitality in relation to atmospheric pollution or its surrogates (modeled pollutant gases, pollutants in lichen thallus, and land cover). We confirmed that air pollution was a key driver for lichen diversity. Changes in lichen community composition and vitality were very significantly related to air pollution and integrated the effect of multiple stressors (particulate matter, NOx, and Cu), thus being powerful ecological indicators of air pollution in the subtropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália M Koch
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90650-001, Brazil
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Campo Grande, 1649-004, Lisbon, Portugal
- Botany Department, Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul, R. Dr. Salvador França, 1427, Jardim Botânico, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90690-000, Brazil
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Campo Grande, 1649-004, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Matos
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Campo Grande, 1649-004, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pinho
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Campo Grande, 1649-004, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fabiane Lucheta
- Botany Department, Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul, R. Dr. Salvador França, 1427, Jardim Botânico, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90690-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Environmental Quality, Universidade Feevale, Rodovia RS 239, 2755, Vila Nova, Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, 93525-075, Brazil
| | - Suzana M A Martins
- Botany Department, Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul, R. Dr. Salvador França, 1427, Jardim Botânico, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90690-000, Brazil
| | - Vera M F Vargas
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90650-001, Brazil.
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Pinho P, Correia O, Lecoq M, Munzi S, Vasconcelos S, Gonçalves P, Rebelo R, Antunes C, Silva P, Freitas C, Lopes N, Santos-Reis M, Branquinho C. Evaluating green infrastructure in urban environments using a multi-taxa and functional diversity approach. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 147:601-610. [PMID: 26777032 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Forested areas within cities host a large number of species, responsible for many ecosystem services in urban areas. The biodiversity in these areas is influenced by human disturbances such as atmospheric pollution and urban heat island effect. To ameliorate the effects of these factors, an increase in urban green areas is often considered sufficient. However, this approach assumes that all types of green cover have the same importance for species. Our aim was to show that not all forested green areas are equal in importance for species, but that based on a multi-taxa and functional diversity approach it is possible to value green infrastructure in urban environments. After evaluating the diversity of lichens, butterflies and other-arthropods, birds and mammals in 31 Mediterranean urban forests in south-west Europe (Almada, Portugal), bird and lichen functional groups responsive to urbanization were found. A community shift (tolerant species replacing sensitive ones) along the urbanization gradient was found, and this must be considered when using these groups as indicators of the effect of urbanization. Bird and lichen functional groups were then analyzed together with the characteristics of the forests and their surroundings. Our results showed that, contrary to previous assumptions, vegetation density and more importantly the amount of urban areas around the forest (matrix), are more important for biodiversity than forest quantity alone. This indicated that not all types of forested green areas have the same importance for biodiversity. An index of forest functional diversity was then calculated for all sampled forests of the area. This could help decision-makers to improve the management of urban green infrastructures with the goal of increasing functionality and ultimately ecosystem services in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Otília Correia
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Lecoq
- ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Unidade de Investigação em Eco-Etologia, Portugal
| | - Silvana Munzi
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sasha Vasconcelos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, Portugal
| | - Paula Gonçalves
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Rebelo
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Antunes
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; PPG-Ecologia, Instituto Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Silva
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility, City Council of Almada, Portugal
| | - Catarina Freitas
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility, City Council of Almada, Portugal
| | - Nuno Lopes
- Department for Environment, Climate, Energy and Mobility, City Council of Almada, Portugal
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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26
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Biocrusts in the Context of Global Change. BIOLOGICAL SOIL CRUSTS: AN ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE IN DRYLANDS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30214-0_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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27
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Heavy Metal Behavior in Lichen-Mine Waste Interactions at an Abandoned Mine Site in Southwest Japan. METALS 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/met5031591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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28
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Pieri L, Vignudelli M, Bartolucci F, Salvatorelli F, Di Michele C, Tavano N, Rossi P, Dinelli G. Integrated environmental quality monitoring around an underground methane storage station. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 131:130-138. [PMID: 25828802 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The study reports an integrated environmental quality monitoring of a 100 km2 area in central Italy mostly occupied by an underground station of methane storage, working since 1982. The nitrogen oxides, ozone and isoprene concentration detached with a network monitoring of passive filters were compared with the results of lichens biomonitoring. Data from the two monitorings were in accordance: there was an inversely correlation between lichen biodiversity index (IBL) and NOx (-0.96) and ozone (-0.80), and a positive correlation between IBL and isoprene (0.67). IBL indicated that the area ranged between medium naturalness and medium alteration status, values fully compatible with the medium-high level of eutrophication, caused by intensive agriculture. Only two areas were in high alteration status, due to their proximity to glass factories and to a quarries area. Despite almost thirty years of activity, the environment quality of the area around the station did not show signs of declining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Pieri
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marco Vignudelli
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Paola Rossi
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Dinelli
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Bologna, Italy
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29
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Barros C, Pinho P, Durão R, Augusto S, Máguas C, Pereira MJ, Branquinho C. Disentangling natural and anthropogenic sources of atmospheric sulfur in an industrial region using biomonitors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:2222-2229. [PMID: 25607592 DOI: 10.1021/es505292t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite reductions in atmospheric sulfur (S) concentrations due to abatement policies in some countries, modeling the dispersion of this pollutant and disentangling anthropogenic sources from natural ones is still of great concern. Lichens have been used as biomonitors of the impacts of S for over 40 years, but their potential as source-tracers of specific sources, including natural ones, remains unexplored. In fact, few attempts have been made to try to distinguish and spatially model different sources of S using lichens. We have measured S concentrations and isotopic values in lichens within an industrial coastal region where different sources of S, natural and anthropogenic, interplay. We detected a prevailing influence of natural sea-originated S that mixed with anthropogenic sources of S. We were then able to disentangle the sources of S, by removing the ocean influence on S isotopic values, enabling us to model the impact of different anthropogenic sources on S deposition and highlighting the potential use of lichens to evaluate the weight of different types of anthropogenic sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceres Barros
- Universidade de Lisboa , Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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30
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Munzi S, Correia O, Silva P, Lopes N, Freitas C, Branquinho C, Pinho P. Lichens as ecological indicators in urban areas: beyond the effects of pollutants. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Munzi
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências; Universidade de Lisboa; Bloco C2, 5° Piso, sala 2.5.14 1749-016 Lisboa Portugal
| | - Otilia Correia
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências; Universidade de Lisboa; Bloco C2, 5° Piso, sala 2.5.14 1749-016 Lisboa Portugal
| | - Patricia Silva
- Sustainable Environmental Management and Planning Department; Municipality of Almada; Almada Portugal
| | - Nuno Lopes
- Sustainable Environmental Management and Planning Department; Municipality of Almada; Almada Portugal
| | - Catarina Freitas
- Sustainable Environmental Management and Planning Department; Municipality of Almada; Almada Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências; Universidade de Lisboa; Bloco C2, 5° Piso, sala 2.5.14 1749-016 Lisboa Portugal
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências; Universidade de Lisboa; Bloco C2, 5° Piso, sala 2.5.14 1749-016 Lisboa Portugal
- Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment; Instituto Superior Técnico; University of Lisbon; Lisbon Portugal
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31
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Paoli L, Benesperi R, Proietti Pannunzi D, Corsini A, Loppi S. Biological effects of ammonia released from a composting plant assessed with lichens. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:5861-5872. [PMID: 24445932 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2526-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated whether ammonia emissions from industrial composting of organic waste may influence the surrounding environment, using lichens as bioindicators. To this purpose, samples of N-tolerant and N-sensitive lichens, namely Xanthoria parietina and Evernia prunastri, were transplanted for 1-3 months along transects at increasing distance (0-400 m) from a composting facility in Tuscany, Italy. Atmospheric concentrations of ammonia were measured using passive samplers. The physiological response of lichen transplants was investigated by means of the photosynthetic efficiency (measured as chlorophyll a fluorescence emission), the integrity of cell membranes (measured as electrolyte leakage), and sample viability (measured as enzymatic activity of dehydrogenase). Epiphytic lichen communities were investigated using biodiversity indices. The results showed decreasing concentrations of ammonia, from 48.7 μg/m(3) at the composting facility to 2.7 μg/m(3) at 400 m. The N-tolerant X. parietina was not affected and some physiological parameters even showed a higher performance, while the N-sensitive E. prunastri showed a reduced performance with increasing atmospheric concentrations approaching the source. A shift from lichen communities composed by meso-acidophilous species (actual condition) to more nitrophilous communities in the near future, approaching the composting facility is suggested. It is concluded that lichens can provide useful data for decision-makers to establish correct science-based environmentally sustainable waste management policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Paoli
- Department of Life Science, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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32
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Pinho P, Llop E, Ribeiro MC, Cruz C, Soares A, Pereira MJ, Branquinho C. Tools for determining critical levels of atmospheric ammonia under the influence of multiple disturbances. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2014; 188:88-93. [PMID: 24568792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Critical levels (CLEs) of atmospheric ammonia based on biodiversity changes have been mostly calculated using small-scale single-source approaches, to avoid interference by other factors, which also influence biodiversity. Thus, it is questionable whether these CLEs are valid at larger spatial scales, in a multi- disturbances context. To test so, we sampled lichen diversity and ammonia at 80 sites across a region with a complex land-cover including industrial and urban areas. At a regional scale, confounding factors such as industrial pollutants prevailed, masking the CLEs. We propose and use a new tool to calculate CLEs by stratifying ammonia concentrations into classes, and focusing on the highest diversity values. Based on the significant correlations between ammonia and biodiversity, we found the CLE of ammonia for Mediterranean evergreen woodlands to be 0.69 μg m(-3), below the previously accepted value of 1.9 μg m(-3), and below the currently accepted pan-European CLE of 1.0 μg m(-3).
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pinho
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal.
| | - E Llop
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal; Universtitat de Barcelona, Dpt. Biologia Vegetal-Botànica, Spain
| | - M C Ribeiro
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Cruz
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal
| | - A Soares
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M J Pereira
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Branquinho
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal
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33
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Munzi S, Paoli L, Fiorini E, Loppi S. Physiological response of the epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. to ecologically relevant nitrogen concentrations. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2012; 171:25-29. [PMID: 22868343 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 06/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the physiological response of the epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri to ecologically relevant concentrations of nitrogen compounds. Lichen samples were sprayed for 4 weeks either with water or 50, 150 and 500 μM NH(4)Cl. The integrity of cell membranes and chlorophyll a fluorescence emission (F(V)/F(M) and PI(ABS)) were analyzed. No membrane damage occurred after the exposure period. F(V)/F(M), a classical fluorescence indicator, decreased during the second week of treatment with 500 μM NH(4)Cl and the third week with 50 and 150 μM NH(4)Cl. PI(ABS), an overall index of the photosynthetic performance, was more sensitive and decreased already during the first week with 500 μM NH(4)Cl and the second week with 150 μM NH(4)Cl. Since E. prunastri has been exposed to ammonium loads corresponding to real environmental conditions, these findings open the way to an effective use of this species as early indicators of environmental nitrogen excess.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Munzi
- Center for Environmental Biology, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
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Jovan S, Riddell J, Padgett PE, Nash TH. Eutrophic lichens respond to multiple forms of N: implications for critical levels and critical loads research. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2012; 22:1910-1922. [PMID: 23210308 DOI: 10.1890/11-2075.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Epiphytic lichen communities are highly sensitive to excess nitrogen (N), which causes the replacement of native floras by N-tolerant, "weedy" eutrophic species. This shift is commonly used as the indicator of ecosystem "harm" in studies developing empirical critical levels (CLE) for ammonia (NH3) and critical loads (CLO) for N. To be most effective, empirical CLE and/or CLO must firmly link lichen response to causal pollutant(s), which is difficult to accomplish in field studies in part because the high cost of N measurements limits their use. For this case study we synthesized an unprecedented array of atmospheric N measurements across 22 long-term monitoring sites in the Los Angeles Basin, California, USA: gas concentrations of NH3, nitric acid (HNO3), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone (n = 10 sites); N deposition in throughfall (n = 8 sites); modeled estimates of eight different forms of N (n = 22 sites); and nitrate deposition accumulated on oak twigs (n = 22 sites). We sampled lichens on black oak (Quercus kelloggii Newb.), and scored plots using two indices of eutroph (N tolerant species) abundance to characterize the community-level response to N. Our results contradict two common assertions about the lichen-N response: (1) that eutrophs respond specifically to NH3 and (2) that the response necessarily depends upon the increased pH of lichen substrates. Eutroph abundance related significantly but weakly to NH3 (r2 = 0.48). Total N deposition as measured in canopy throughfall was by far the best predictor of eutroph abundance (r2 = 0.94), indicating that eutrophs respond to multiple forms of N. Most N variables had significant correlations to eutroph abundance (r2 = 0.36-0.62) as well as to each other (r2 = 0.61-0.98), demonstrating the risk of mistaken causality in CLE/CLO field studies that lack sufficient calibration data. Our data furthermore suggest that eutroph abundance is primarily driven by N inputs, not substrate pH, at least at the high-pH values found in the basin (4.8-6.1). Eutroph abundance correlated negatively with trunk bark pH (r2 = 0.43), exactly the opposite of virtually all previous studies of eutroph behavior. This correlation probably results because HNO3 dominates N deposition in our study region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jovan
- Forest Inventory and Analysis Program, USDA Forest Service, Portland Forestry Sciences Laboratory, 620 SW Main Street, Suite 400, Portland, Oregon 97205, USA.
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Augusto S, Pereira MJ, Máguas C, Soares A, Branquinho C. Assessing human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in a petrochemical region utilizing data from environmental biomonitors. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2012; 75:819-830. [PMID: 22788369 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2012.690685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are toxic compounds that have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probable or possible human carcinogens. Human exposure to PAH is usually assessed by considering data from a single air monitoring station as being representative of a large region; however, air pollution levels change on small spatial scales and thus also affect environmental exposure. The use of environmental biomonitors is a useful tool to assess the levels of PAH with high spatial resolution. The aims of this study were to (1) assess human exposure to PAH in a petrochemical region in Portugal, integrating data from environmental biomonitors (lichens), air, and soil in a regional area, and (2) determine the health risks associated with exposure to PAH with high spatial resolution. Bearing this in mind, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) equivalent concentrations in samples of soil, air, and lichens collected in the study region were used to assess human exposure through different pathways, including inhalation of air and soil particles, ingestion of soil, and dermal contact with soil. Human health risk was calculated through the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). BaP equivalent concentrations found in the region ranged from 6.9 to 46.05 ng BaPeq/g in lichens, from 16.45 to 162.02 ng BaPeq/g in soils, and from 0.02 to 0.16 ng BaPeq/m³ in air, indicative of high variability in this regional area. Human exposure to PAH varied between 976 and 42,877 ng BaPeq/d. When considering all exposure pathways, ILCR values were between 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻³. Considering only inhalation, ILCR values were between 10⁻⁶ and 10⁻⁵. The main risk seemed to arise from soil (either ingestion or inhalation of resuspended soil particles). The high spatial resolution of our environmental data allowed for detection of critical exposure levels at unexpected sites. Our results identified important areas where health studies on local populations need to be focused, and where environmental levels of PAH need to be monitored over time in order to protect human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Augusto
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Lisbon, Portugal
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Ochoa-Hueso R, Allen EB, Branquinho C, Cruz C, Dias T, Fenn ME, Manrique E, Pérez-Corona ME, Sheppard LJ, Stock WD. Nitrogen deposition effects on Mediterranean-type ecosystems: an ecological assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:2265-79. [PMID: 21277663 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2010.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Revised: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We review the ecological consequences of N deposition on the five Mediterranean regions of the world. Seasonality of precipitation and fires regulate the N cycle in these water-limited ecosystems, where dry N deposition dominates. Nitrogen accumulation in soils and on plant surfaces results in peaks of availability with the first winter rains. Decoupling between N flushes and plant demand promotes losses via leaching and gas emissions. Differences in P availability may control the response to N inputs and susceptibility to exotic plant invasion. Invasive grasses accumulate as fuel during the dry season, altering fire regimes. California and the Mediterranean Basin are the most threatened by N deposition; however, there is limited evidence for N deposition impacts outside of California. Consequently, more research is needed to determine critical loads for each region and vegetation type based on the most sensitive elements, such as changes in lichen species composition and N cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Department of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
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Spagnuolo V, Zampella M, Giordano S, Adamo P. Cytological stress and element uptake in moss and lichen exposed in bags in urban area. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2011; 74:1434-1443. [PMID: 21411142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In this study cytological ultrastructure, total content of C, N and S, and cellular location of major and trace elements (K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Pb and Zn) were investigated in the moss Hypnum cupressiforme and in the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea exposed in bags for a spring-summer 12-weeks period in the urban area of Naples city. In the moss, severe ultrastructural damages, such as membrane interruptions and dehydration, developed after exposure supporting the occurrence of a dead biomonitor. In the lichen, the post-exposure stress marks, such as the development of lysosome-like vesicles and concentric bodies, or the production of melanin, were overall compatible with life. With exposure, N, S, major and trace element contents all increased in both biomonitors, while C remained substantially unchanged. Copper and Pb were mainly retained in extracellular and particulate forms. Intracellular concentration of Zn consistently increased in both biomonitors, irrespective of their vitality. In transplants, cellular location of elements can better reflect the form in which they occur in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Spagnuolo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy.
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Pinho P, Dias T, Cruz C, Sim Tang Y, Sutton MA, Martins-Loução MA, Máguas C, Branquinho C. Using lichen functional diversity to assess the effects of atmospheric ammonia in Mediterranean woodlands. J Appl Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02033.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Adamo P, Giordano S, Sforza A, Bargagli R. Implementation of airborne trace element monitoring with devitalised transplants of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw.: assessment of temporal trends and element contribution by vehicular traffic in Naples city. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:1620-1628. [PMID: 21420768 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2010] [Revised: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A biomonitoring of airborne trace elements was performed in 2006 in Naples urban area through the exposure of devitalised Hypnum cupressiforme for 10 weeks at 4m height. In one street, the moss was exposed at different heights to assess vertical gradients of element concentrations. Results were compared with those of a 1999 biosurvey. Correlations among Al, Fe and Ti suggested a soil particles contribution to element uptake. Cu, Mo and Fe were related with traffic flows. Long-range transport contributed to Cd, Cu and Mo accumulation in moss at higher heights. As in 1999, the airborne element load was higher in coastal sites, more affected by marine aerosols and traffic. In all sites, contents of Cd, Fe, Pb, Ni and V in moss were remarkably lower than in 1999, indicating a positive effect of actions set up in recent years to reduce the traffic and to improve the city air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Adamo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta, dell'Ambiente e delle Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy.
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Munzi S, Loppi S, Cruz C, Branquinho C. Do lichens have "memory" of their native nitrogen environment? PLANTA 2011; 233:333-342. [PMID: 21053009 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-010-1300-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2010] [Accepted: 10/13/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to deepen the knowledge about intraspecific mechanisms regulating nitrogen tolerance in lichens to wet nitrogen deposition. Thalli of the nitrophilous lichen Xanthoria parietina were collected from environments with different nitrogen availabilities and immersed in 80 mL of ammonium sulphate (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions with distinct concentrations (0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.25 M) for 5 h per day during 3 days in a week. After each soaking event, lichens were air dried. After each treatment, maximal PSII efficiency, localization of ammonium ions, concentrations of K+ and Mg²+ and thalli buffer capacity were determined. Our results show that lichens are marked by their native nitrogen environment, since there were important differences between the physiological responses of X. parietina thalli previously grown in an area with high nitrogen deposition (nitrogen emissions of ca. 13,000 t/year) and those previously grown in an unpolluted area (nitrogen emissions of ca. 500 t/year). Greater N availability seems to enable X. parietina to cope better with the effects of nitrogen pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Munzi
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Siena, via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Aragón G, López R, Martínez I. Effects of Mediterranean dehesa management on epiphytic lichens. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 409:116-122. [PMID: 20937519 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2010] [Revised: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 09/20/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Spanish holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) open woodlands (dehesas) maintain a high diversity of plants and animals compared to other forested Mediterranean habits, but little is known about the responses of epiphytic lichens to different management regimes that are applied to this woodland type. The present study was carried out in central-southern Spain and included four management regimes: agriculture, grazing of sheep, grassland grazed by wild ungulates (deer), and abandoned dehesas covered by shrubs. Total species richness and cover exhibited considerable variation among management regimes. Both parameters tended to decrease with the intensity of management, abandoned dehesas maintaining a higher number of species than more intensively managed habitats. Lichen composition also significantly differed among the four regimes. Nitrophytic species were clearly associated with more intensive management regimes (farming or livestock management), whereas non-nitrophytic species favored abandoned dehesas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Aragón
- Biodiversity and Conservation Area, ESCET, University Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933-Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
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Hauck M. Ammonium and nitrate tolerance in lichens. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2010; 158:1127-1133. [PMID: 20096494 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2009] [Revised: 11/21/2009] [Accepted: 12/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Since lichens lack roots and take up water, solutes and gases over the entire thallus surface, these organisms respond more sensitively to changes in atmospheric purity than vascular plants. After centuries where effects of sulphur dioxide and acidity were in the focus of research on atmospheric chemistry and lichens, recently the globally increased levels of ammonia and nitrate increasingly affect lichen vegetation and gave rise to intense research on the tolerance of lichens to nitrogen pollution. The present paper discusses the main findings on the uptake of ammonia and nitrate in the lichen symbiosis and to the tolerance of lichens to eutrophication. Ammonia and nitrate are both efficiently taken up under ambient conditions. The tolerance to high nitrogen levels depends, among others, on the capability of the photobiont to provide sufficient amounts of carbon skeletons for ammonia assimilation. Lowly productive lichens are apparently predisposed to be sensitive to excess nitrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Hauck
- Department of Plant Ecology, Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
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Svoboda D, Peksa O, Veselá J. Epiphytic lichen diversity in central European oak forests: assessment of the effects of natural environmental factors and human influences. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2010; 158:812-819. [PMID: 19880227 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2009] [Revised: 09/07/2009] [Accepted: 10/02/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We investigated lichen diversity in temperate oak forests using standardized protocols. Forty-eight sites were sampled in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The effects of natural environmental predictors and human influences on lichen diversity (lichen diversity value, species richness) were analysed by means of correlation tests. We found that lichen diversity responded differently to environmental predictors between two regions with different human impact. In the industrial region, air pollution was the strongest factor. In the agricultural to highly forested regions, lichen diversity was strongly influenced by forest age and forest fragmentation. We found that several natural factors can in some cases obscure the effect of human influences. Thus, factors of natural gradient must be considered (both statistically and interpretively) when studying human impact on lichen diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Svoboda
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 01 Praha 2, Czech Republic.
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Augusto S, Máguas C, Matos J, Pereira MJ, Soares A, Branquinho C. Spatial modeling of PAHs in lichens for fingerprinting of multisource atmospheric pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:7762-7769. [PMID: 19921891 DOI: 10.1021/es901024w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
PAHs are toxic compounds emitted by several anthropogenic sources, which have a great impact on human health. We show, for the first time, how spatial models based on PAHs intercepted by lichens can be used for fingerprinting multisource atmospheric pollution in a regional area. Urban-industrial areas showed the highest atmospheric deposition of PAHs followed by urban > industrial > agricultural > forest Multivariate analysis of lichen data showed, for the first time, a clear distinction between various sources of PAHs in the same area: urban are dominated by 4-ring PAHs, forest by 3-ring PAHs, and industrial by 5- and 6-ring PAHs or by 2-ring PAHs (petrogenic or pyrogenic, respectively). Heavy metals were also used for supporting the fingerprinting of PAH sources, reinforcing the industrial origin of 5- and 6-ring PAHs and revealing their particular nature. The spatial structure of the models for different PAHs seems to be dependent on the following factors: size and hydrophilic character of different PAHs, type of emission sources (point or nonpoint), and dispersion associated with particulates of different sizes. Based on the long-term integration of PAHs in lichens, these spatial models will significantly improve our knowledge on the impact of PAH chronic-exposure to humans and ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Augusto
- Faculty of Sciences, Centre for Environmental Biology (CBA), University of Lisbon, FCUL, Lisboa, Portugal
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