『Abstract
The ForSAFE-VEG model was used to estimate atmospheric nitrogen
deposition and climate effects on soil chemistry and ground vegetation
in alpine and subalpine zones of the northern and central Rocky
Mountains region in the USA from 1750 to 2500. Model simulations
for a generalized site illustrated how the critical load of atmospheric
nitrogen deposition could be estimated to protect plant biodiversity.
The results appear reasonable compared with past model applications
in northern Europe. Atmospheric N deposition critical loads estimated
to protect plant biodiversity were 1 to 2 kg N/ha/year. This range
could be greater, depending on the values selected for critical
site-specific parameters (precipitation, temperature, soil chemistry,
plant nutrient uptake, and any eventual harvest of biomass) and
the amount of biodiversity change allowed.
Keywords: nitrogen; Climate; Eutrophication; Alpine; Vegetation』
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Model description
2.2. Defining a one-dimensional criterion for changes in the
ground vegetation composition
2.3. Input data
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Simulation of soil chemistry
3.2. Simulation of ground vegetation
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References