Unveiled Findings on Ozone's Stealthy Damage to American Forests
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have analyzed the health of approximately 1.5 million trees from around 85 different species across the coterminous U.S. This comprehensive study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, is the first to quantify how much ozone exposure harms mature trees under real-world conditions.
Led by Nathan Pavlovic, the lead geospatial data scientist at Sonoma Technology Inc., and Charles Driscoll, University Professor of Environmental Systems and Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the team used machine learning to characterize and quantify the effects of ozone on these trees, considering a range of environmental conditions over a large spatial scale.
Previously, research on tree health and pollution has been limited in geographic scope or focused on specific pollutants or urban areas. However, this new study explicitly quantifies ozone's impact on mature trees across diverse regions, providing a clearer picture of long-term ecological harm.
The study found that Western U.S. forests are especially vulnerable to the effects of ozone pollution. The team is also exploring the effects of shifting sources of air pollution over recent decades, including agriculture and wildfires. In addition to ozone, the research team has assessed the impacts of nitrogen and sulfur deposition on trees.
The findings offer a new lens for policymakers and forest managers to protect trees and the ecosystems they support from the silent stress of ozone pollution. Daryl Lovell, Associate Director of Media Relations for University Communications, can be contacted for interviews or more information about the work.
The study's contact information includes a mobile number, email address, and Twitter handle. As for the potential implications of the research for national air quality standards or forest management practices, the team has not yet discussed these matters.
The sensitivity of trees to pollution from these sources is also dependent on heat and water stress, factors that the team is currently accounting for in their models. There is more to learn about how these factors influence outcomes now and in the future.
This study marks the most comprehensive study of ozone effects on trees ever conducted using a database. As we continue to understand the intricate relationship between trees, ozone pollution, and the environment, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize research in this area to ensure the health and resilience of our nation's forests.
- This study, which is the most comprehensive on ozone effects on trees ever conducted using a database, also evaluates the impact of nitrogen and sulfur deposition on trees, bridging the gap between science, health-and-wellness, and environmental-science.
- As the findings offer a new lens for policymakers and forest managers to protect trees and the ecosystems they support from the silent stress of ozone pollution, it furthers the understanding of fitness-and-exercise practiced by trees and its connection to climate-change and the environment.
