Citizen science identifies the effects of nitrogen dioxide and other environmental drivers on tar spot of sycamore.
Environ Pollut
; 214: 549-555, 2016 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27131814
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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ascomycota
/
Environmental Monitoring
/
Acer
/
Air Pollutants
/
Nitrogen Dioxide
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Pollut
Journal subject:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Reino Unido