Impacts of Industrial Polluters on Bryophytes: a Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract

Identifying the factors responsible for the diversity of responses of biota to industrial pollution is crucial for predicting the fates of polluted ecosystems. A meta-analysis based on 49 field studies conducted around 47 point polluters demonstrated that the individual (growth and reproduction) and community (abundance and species richness) characteristics of bryophytes in polluted habitats are reduced to about a half of the values observed in unpolluted sites. Non-ferrous smelters cause a stronger reduction in species richness and larger changes in species composition than other types of polluters. The magnitudes of the effects of pollution on the abundances of individual bryophyte species are not linked with their taxonomic position, life form or Ellenberg indicator values for light, moisture and nitrogen. The variation in species' responses to pollution is mostly explained by differences in their reproductive characteristics; bryophyte species that possess special forms of vegetative reproduction and those that produce abundant sporophytes are more successful in polluted habitats. Ranking of bryophyte species according to their sensitivity to pollution is independent of the type of the polluter. Changes in bryophyte cover follow changes in tree cover, but not changes in the cover of the vascular field layer in the same pollution gradients. Pollution impacts cause stronger adverse effects on bryophytes in warmer climates.

Uptake and recovery of soil nitrogen by bryophytes and vascular plants in an alpine meadow

“…Rather, no significant difference of N uptake across three chemical forms by bryophytes might indicate that bryophytes adapted to scarcity of available N in alpine ecosystem. Furthermore, since many ecosystems are experiencing increased anthropogenic atmospheric N deposition (Vitousek et al 1997), absorption of soil N by widespread bryophytes may have consequences for their ability to tolerate N pollution and potentially species specific negative impacts (Potter et al 1995;Nilsson et al 2002;Zvereva and Kozlov 2011), which will have some cascade effects upon alpine ecosystems.…”

Geography of global change and species richness in the North

“…Climate change, in general, showed multiple effects on species richness. Miscellaneous stressor types and especially pollution usually decreased species richness (see also Zvereva and Kozlov 2011).…”

“…Steinacher et al 2009). Pollution from industry, such as mining and smelters, can also affect biodiversity at local scales (ACIA 2005;Zvereva and Kozlov 2011). Nutrient enrichment can pose a threat to biodiversity especially in freshwater (e.g.…”

Does cattle movement between forest pastures and fertilized grasslands affect the bryophyte and vascular plant communities in vulnerable forest pasture biotopes?

“…It must be noted, however, that each species has its own response to both the direct and indirect effects of nutrient enrichment (Cunha et al, 2002;Van der Wal et al, 2005). In particular, the direct toxic effects vary between species while the indirect effects via eutrophication and competitive exclusion are often more similar (Koranda et al, 2007;Zvereva and Kozlov, 2011).…”