Ozone
| Authors: | Anita K. Rose |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Type: | General Technical Report |
| Station: | Southern Research Station |
| Source: | Bechtold, William A.; Bohne, Michael J.; Conkling, Barbara L.; Friedman, Dana L.; Tkacz, Borys M., eds. 2012. A synthesis of evaluation monitoring projects by the forest health monitoring program (1998–2007). Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-159. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 140 p. |
Abstract
Ozone is the product of chemical reactions that take place in the lower atmosphere when volatile organic compounds mix and react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight. Ozone exposure, uptake, and sensitivity all play important roles in the response of plants to ozone. Weather patterns and changes in emissions of precursors account for a majority of year-to-year variations in ozone exposure. The uptake of ozone by plants depends upon many things, including physiological age, climate, light availability, site characteristics, and available soil moisture (Peterson and others 1993, Bartholomay and others 1997, Samuelson and Kelly 2001). Sensitivity to ozone varies by species, genotype, physiological age, and leaf morphology. Several species, such as black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) and blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis Porter), are known to be sensitive to ozone and exhibit a visible foliar response. In addition, reduced growth and decreased species richness have been reported from studies of ozone impacts to plants (Arbaugh and others 1998, Barbo and others 1998, Bartholomy and others 1997, McLaughlin and Downing 1996, Rebbeck 1996, Reinert and others 1996, Samuelson and Edwards 1993, Somers and others 1998).