Starting from 2020, one selected paper per year will be presented here.
US$63 BILLION WORTH OF ANNUAL LOSSES FROM CROP PRODUCTION IN EAST ASIA ARE ASSOCIATED WITH OZONE POLLUTION
Figure: "Relative yield losses (RYLs) for different crops calculated from Asian-specific exposure–RY relationships and the AOT40 values across China, Japan and South Korea.
a–d, RYL (%) of inbred rice (a), hybrid rice (b), wheat (c) and maize (d) in Asia. Results are derived from AOT40 averaged across the latest available three years (China, 2017–2019; Japan, 2015–2017; and South Korea, 2016–2018). For different crops, AOT40 is accumulated across a 90 d period until maturity. For double-crop rice in China, RYL was calculated separately for single or early-double crop and late-double crops and the resultant RYL was weight-averaged with the harvested amount in the respective province.
A new article published in Nature Food assesses the yield loss in rice, wheat and maize due to ozone using data from experiments across Asia and about 3,000 locations in China, Japan and Korea.
This study suggests that total ozone-induced
annual loss of crop production reaches US$63 billion. This study also shows that that inbred rice exhibits lower yield losses than hybrid rice and wheat, and maize.
The authors conclude that “the large impact of ozone on crop production urges us to take mitigation action for ozone emission control and adaptive agronomic measures against the rising surface ozone levels across East Asia".
Feng, Z., et al. (2022). Ozone pollution threatens the production of major staple crops in East Asia. Nature Food 3: 47-56. DOI: 10.1038/s43016-021-00422-6
MICROPLASTICS INDUCE ECOLOGICAL RISKS AND THREATEN BIODIVERISTY
A new review published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials synthesizes ecological risks of microplastics' pollution and its potential effects on diversity.
This study suggests that microplastics pollution presents an imminent threat to biodiversity, affecting the structure, composition, and function of microbial communities in both the gut and the environment. This study also demonstrates that microplastic pollution can affect biogeochemical cycles, fluxes of greenhouse gases, and atmospheric chemistry, with a possibility for degraded air quality.
According to the lead author, Prof. Evgenios Agathokleous of the Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, China, “the study provides a unique perspective for realizing and combating the imminent threat of microplastic pollution to biodiversity and ecosystems' health, which may impede achieving the Goals of Sustainable Development".
Agathokleous, E., et al. (2021). Ecological risks in a ‘plastic’ world: A threat to biological diversity? Journal of Hazardous Materials 417: 126035. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126035
OZONE AFFECTS PLANT, INSECT, AND SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES AND THREATENS TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY
A new study published in Science Advances provides the first comprehensive assessment of how ozone pollution can alter the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems.
The results of this study suggest that ozone should be included in global assessments of threats to terrestrial biodiversity. “The study sets the path forward for a new generation of studies that will address ozone impacts on the biodiversity, and is expected to generate much interest for advanced interdisciplinary researches addressing this environmental issue” says the lead author, Prof. Evgenios Agathokleous of the Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, China.
Read More at IUFRO's Press Release here.
Reference: Agathokleous, E., et al. (2020). Ozone affects plant, insect, and soil microbial communities: A threat to terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. Science Advances 6: eabc1176. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc1176
Source: International Union of Forest Research Organizations | Published August 13, 2020