Summary: U.S. Forest Service and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) scientists have found that rising levels of a greenhouse gas called ozone, may amplify the impacts of higher temperatures and reduce streamflow from forests to rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. This study was composed with data from the atmospheric water supply and demand and statistical models. These models were developed based on 18 to 26 years of data and observed streamflow in response to climate and atmospheric chemistry during the growing season. The research team evaluated individual and interactive effects of ozone on six southeastern forested water sheds. The water sheds ranged in size from about 38 acres to more than 3,700 sq. miles. The estimates of ozone's influence on streamflow ranged from 7% in the area of lowest ozone to 23% in the areas of highest exposure. The article implies that ozone exposure reduces water loss from forests and trees, but in the areas of high exposure to ozones would create droughts in forests and significantly lower water availability for people and organisms that benefit from the stream.
Relevance: In our first unit we studied ecology and ecosystems. This article is relevant since it describes the effects ozone levels have on forest watersheds, which ties in to ecology. The idea of this study is to conclude if ozone have a negative effect on these forested watersheds then it would decrease the amount of streamflow. The reduced streamflow inversely affects the amount of water available to humans and water flow necessary for organisms that exist and/or benefit from these forest watersheds. In our unit on ecosystems, we studied many different biotic and abiotic factors that could possibly affect watershed. Ozone is another abiotic factor to count.
Published: October 18, 2012
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Which parts of the country are exposed to high levels of ozone?
ReplyDeleteThe area with the most exposure to high levels of ozone is the southeastern United States.
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121018123306.htm
Is being exposed to ozone good for trees because they lose less water?
ReplyDeleteIs being exposed to ozone good for trees because they lose less water?
ReplyDeleteBeing exposed to ozone different kinds of effects on different species of trees. Plant species that are sensitive to ozone and potentially at an increased risk from exposure include trees such as black cherry, quaking aspen, ponderosa pine and cottonwood. These trees are found in many areas of the country. These effects can also have adverse impacts on ecosystems, including loss of species diversity and changes to habitat quality and water and nutrient cycles. But other tree species are unharmed by exposure to ozone.
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.epa.gov/glo/