Gosling, Laura, Ashmore, Mike, Sparks, Tim et al. (1 more author) (2016) Citizen science identifies the effects of nitrogen dioxide and other environmental drivers on tar spot of sycamore. Environmental Pollution. pp. 549-555. ISSN 1873-6424
Abstract
Elevated sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentrations were the major cause of the absence of symptoms of tar spot (Rhytisma acerinum) of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), in urban areas in the 1970s. The subsequent large decline in SO2 concentrations has not always been accompanied by increased tar spot symptoms, for reasons that have remained unresolved. We used a large citizen science survey, providing over 1000 records across England, to test two competing hypotheses proposed in earlier studies. We were able to demonstrate the validity of both hypotheses; tar spot symptoms were reduced where there were fewer fallen leaves as a source of inoculum, and elevated nitrogen dioxide concentrations reduced tar spot symptoms above a threshold concentration of about 20 μg m-3. Symptom severity was also lower at sites with higher temperature and lower rainfall. Our findings demonstrate the power of citizen science to resolve competing hypotheses about the impacts of air pollution and other environmental drivers.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016, The Author(s). |
Keywords: | Acer pseudoplatanus,Citizen science,Nitrogen dioxide,Rhytisma acerinum,Tar spot |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Environment and Geography (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 06 Jan 2017 09:31 |
Last Modified: | 05 Jan 2025 00:13 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.066 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.066 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:110191 |
Download
Filename: 1_s2.0_S0269749116303323_main.pdf
Description: 1-s2.0-S0269749116303323-main
Licence: CC-BY-NC-ND 2.5