Guidance Eutrophication and acidification: consequences for nature

Index section Eutrophication and acidification: consequences for nature

• Plant species and availability of nutrients
• Lichens and air pollution
• Swans in the marginal lakes of the IJsselmeerpolders

Introduction

The substances that cause eutrophication are nitrogen and phosphate originating from manure and fertiliser. These compounds have huge influence on the occurrence of plants and animals on farmland and elsewhere. Numerous examples are given in other sections. Eutrophication is causing many species to decline and certain other species to increase, such as the nitrophilous lichens that thrive on ammonia.

Surface water becomes eutrophied (i.e. too rich in nutrients) when eutrophying substances are leached into it and when domestic and industrial wastewater are discharged into it. The policy to abate eutrophication has had some success: in the marginal lakes of the IJsselmeerpolders, for example, aquatic plants and swans have increased.

The most important acidifying substances are sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and ammonia (NH₃). As some of them also bring about eutrophication, it is not always possible to distinguish their effects from those of eutrophying substances. Acidification has caused a decline in lichens and has contributed to the decline in plant species characteristic of fens.

Measures targeted at abatement have brought about a sharp fall in the amount of SO₂ in the environment. The beneficiaries are lichens and, possibly, fungi.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Heathland and fens: water draw down and acidification
• Forest and woodland: water draw down and acidification
• Fresh water quality

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• Guidance Environmental theme on acidification and transboundary air pollution
• Guidance Environmental theme on eutrophication