Prolonged nitrogen deposition reduces biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 88/100
Extensive empirical research, including global meta-analyses and long-term field experiments, consistently demonstrates that prolonged nitrogen deposition leads to soil acidification and a significant reduction in biodiversity across terrestrial ecosystems.
Evidence for · 5
Mapping global soil acidification under N deposition
2023 · cited by 111
A global meta-analysis shows that nitrogen addition causes soil acidification and highlights atmospheric nitrogen deposition as a major threat to global terrestrial biodiversity.
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More for · 4
Diversity‐dependent soil acidification under nitrogen enrichment constrains biomass productivity
2020 · cited by 47
A long-term grassland experiment demonstrates that nitrogen enrichment leads to significant declines in species richness and soil pH.
Loss of taxonomic and functional diversity and decrease in primary productivity with nitrogen enrichment after a long-term release from grazing in an alpine grassland.
2024 · cited by 5
A 19-year field experiment confirms that nitrogen enrichment reduces plant diversity and species richness in grasslands.
Critical thresholds for co-benefits of carbon accumulation and biodiversity conservation under global nitrogen enrichment.
2026 · cited by 1
A global meta-analysis indicates that nitrogen enrichment promotes biodiversity loss in plants, bacteria, and fungi beyond specific thresholds.
Biocrusts Are Highly Vulnerable to Multidimensional Global Change.
2026 · cited by 1
A meta-analysis demonstrates that nitrogen addition leads to severe declines in biocrust cover and species richness in terrestrial environments.