Air Pollution
The past few decades have seen large changes in the air
pollution climate in the UK, with very significant improvements in
air quality for a number of pollutants.
However, despite this, deposition of atmospheric
pollutants as well as exposure to high concentrations of pollutants
represent a significant threat to sensitive ecosystems. In
particular, nitrogen deposition and elevated concentrations of
ground-level ozone are priority concerns. The review prepared
by the National Expert Group on
Transboundary Air Pollution provides a comprehensive
account of the current status of the problems of acid deposition,
eutrophication and ground-level ozone pollution in the
UK.
The obligations placed on the regulatory authorities under
the Habitats Regulations, the Countryside and Rights of Way
Act 2000 for England and Wales, and the Pollution Prevention
and Control Regulations, provide opportunities to ensure ecosystem
effects are fully considered in pollution regulation. However,
there are fewer mechanisms currently available to address diffuse,
non-regulated sources. Therefore, it is essential to
understand the role of regulated and non-regulated sources of
pollutants, and to understand how we can deliver effective
protection to ecosystems in the UK.
The
Air Pollution Lead Co-ordination
Network (APLCN) was established to assist JNCC
and the UK statutory conservation agencies with their air pollution
work. The APLCN brings together the air pollution work of JNCC and
the conservation agencies; provides strategic advice on air
pollution impacts on nature conservation to a wide constituency;
develops air pollution policy and manages air pollution research
projects. Much of the work of the APLCN is done in
collaboration with the pollution regulators (Environment Agency and
Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and Defra and the devolved
administrations. The APLCN is also developing its work at the
European level.
The
Air Pollution Bulletin provides an
overview of the APLCN’s current work areas. Reports and other
publications are listed below.
Resources
- Air Pollution Information System (APIS)
The Air Pollution Information System (APIS) is an easy to use
freely available website which provides a comprehensive source of
information on air pollution and the effects on habitats and
species. APIS has been developed in partnership by the UK
conservation agencies and regulatory agencies and the Centre for
Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).
APIS is a support tool for staff in the UK conservation and
regulatory agencies, industry and local authorities for assessing
the potential effects of air pollutants on habitats and species. As
such, it aims to enable a consistent approach to air pollution
assessment across the UK. Other potential users include
non-governmental organisations, universities, students or anyone
interested in finding out more about air pollution effects on
wildlife.
- The impacts of ozone on nature
conservation
Morrissey, T., Ashmore, M.R., Emberson, L.D., Cinderby, S., Buker,
P.
JNCC Report 403
- Assessing the risks of air pollution
impacts to the condition of Area/Sites of Special Scientific
Interest in the UK
Jane Hall, Bill Bealey, Richard
Wadsworth
JNCC Report 387
- Biomonitoring methods for assessing the impacts
of nitrogen pollution: refinement and testing
I.D. Leith, N. van Dijk, C.E.R. Pitcairn, P.A. Wolseley, C.P.
Whitfield and M.A. Sutton (2005)
JNCC Report 386
- Atmospheric nitrogen pollution impacts on biodiversity: Phase I
- Model development and testing (CR0289) report (PDF 1.67 mb)
appendix (PDF 1
mb)
Simon Smart et al.
Final report to Department
of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Joint Nature
Conservation Committee and English Nature
-
Targeted Monitoring of Air Pollution and Climate Change Impacts on
Biodiversity (PDF, 729 kb)
Morecroft, MD, Sier, ARJ, Elston, DA, Nevison, IM, Hall, JR,
Rennie, SC, Parr, TW and Crick, HQP (2006)
Final report to Defra, CCW and English
Nature
-
Morecroft, MD, Cape, JN, Parr, TW, Brown, JC, Caporn, SJM,
Carroll, JA, Emmett, BA, Harmens, H, Hill, MO, Lane, AMJ, Leith,
ID, Mills, GE, Reynolds, B, Sheppard, LJ, Smart, SM
& Wolseley, PA (2005)
Contract report to Defra, JNCC, Environment Agency,
Environment and Heritage Service, and English
Nature.
-
Sutton, MA, Pitcairn, CER & Whitfield, CP (2004)
JNCC Report 356
This project was jointly funded by the Countryside
Council for Wales, English Nature, Joint Nature Conservation
Committee and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology