Mapping of Ammonia Pollution with Epiphytic Lichens in the Netherlands

Abstract

In the Netherlands a monitoring programme is in operation to map the effects of ammonia pollution with epiphytic lichens. The method is presented here and the results are statistically correlated with abiotic data. The abundance of nitrophytes on Quercus robur appears to be a useful parameter. Detailed spatial patterns of ammonia pollution can be obtained with lichens. To avoid interference, it is important to consider other influences, for example dust, climate, exposure, age of the trees and other pollutants.