A groundbreaking study has uncovered a surprising driver behind the movement of European forest plants: nitrogen pollution from atmospheric deposition.
Contrary to the widespread belief that climate change alone is pushing species northward in search of cooler habitats, researchers have found that many plants are shifting westward at a much faster rate due to excess nitrogen.
High levels of nitrogen, particularly from pollution, allow nitrogen-loving species to spread quickly, often displacing more specialised plants in areas of heavy deposition. These westward shifts – which have an average velocity of 3.56 kilometres per year – are occurring at 2.6 times the rate of northward movement, reshaping the composition of some of Europe’s most iconic forests.
The study, which analysed 266 forest plant species over several decades, reveals that almost 40% of these species are moving west, with only 15% shifting north.
Among the ecosystems studied are some of Europe’s legendary forests, such as the Białowieża Forest in Poland. The findings are crucial for policymakers and conservationists, who must now consider the far-reaching impact of nitrogen pollution when developing strategies to protect biodiversity and ecosystem health, says the study.
The trend observed in the study highlights the complex interactions between multiple environmental pressures, including nitrogen pollution and climate change, that are altering biodiversity patterns across Europe.
The study Unexpected westward range shifts in European forest plants links to nitrogen deposition was published in the journal Science.
More wildlife stories from around the world
- Poland pauses logging in 10 ancient forests
- Scientists just split open a 2-billion-year-old rock – what they found inside is truly astonishing
- Giant tauros have been bred by scientists to resemble ancient extinct aurochs – now they're heading for Scotland
- Experts uncover ‘sixth sense’ in geckos – and they say it could help humans with hearing disorders
