Eutrophication caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition in Europe

The European Commission's Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP) aims to reduce the area of ecosystems affected by eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition by 25% by 2030. This indicator monitors the progress towards this target. Between 2005 and 2023, the area of ecosystems at risk of eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition in the EU-27 Member States reduced by almost 14%. Initiatives such as the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive, Farm to Fork strategy and Biodiversity strategy for 2030 are key frameworks to further reduce the risk of eutrophication in ecosystems.

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Metadata
DPSIR Pressure
Typology Descriptive indicator (Type A - What is happening to the environment and to humans?)
UN SDGs SDG15: Life on land
Topics Air pollution, Water, Biodiversity, Pollution, Agriculture and food
Temporal coverage { "readOnly": true, "temporal": [ { "label": "2005", "value": "2005" }, { "label": "2023", "value": "2023" } ] }
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Workflow
Content responsible Head of Group Ian Marnane
Layout
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In 2023, the agriculture sector accounted for 94% of all reduced nitrogen emissions in EU-27 Member States, with 67% of emissions stemming from livestock. Emissions of oxidised nitrogen (NO 2 , nitric acid and nitrate-containing particles) were highest in Belgium, northern Germany, northern Italy, the Netherlands and Poland.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "These " }, { "type": "strong", "children": [ { "text": "exceedances are attributed to" } ] }, { "text": " both " }, { "children": [ { "text": "reduced nitrogen" } ], "data": { "extra": [], "footnote": "Reduced nitrogen comprises mainly gaseous NH3, aerosol NH4+ and wet deposited NH4+. Wet deposition of reduced N comprises fine particulate ammonium (NH4+) salts or aerosols of acidic gases. Reduced nitrogen is deposited in ecosystems as NH3 and ammonium (NH4+).", "label": "Reduced nitrogen comprises mainly gaseous NH3, aerosol NH4+ and wet deposited NH4+. Wet deposition of reduced N comprises fine particulate ammonium (NH4+) salts or aerosols of acidic gases. Reduced nitrogen is deposited in ecosystems as NH3 and ammonium (NH4+).", "uid": "JSL85", "value": "Reduced nitrogen comprises mainly gaseous NH3, aerosol NH4+ and wet deposited NH4+. Wet deposition of reduced N comprises fine particulate ammonium (NH4+) salts or aerosols of acidic gases. Reduced nitrogen is deposited in ecosystems as NH3 and ammonium (NH4+)." }, "type": "footnote" }, { "text": " compounds from agricultural activities and oxidised nitrogen from combustion processes. In 2023, the agriculture sector accounted for " }, { "children": [ { "text": "94% of all reduced nitrogen " }, { "children": [ { "text": "emissions" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": "" } ], "data": { "url": "../../../../resolveuid/9e92ea95f2bd47cda6e12030526efd40" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " in EU-27 Member States, with " }, { "children": [ { "text": "67% of emissions" } ], "data": { "url": "../../../../resolveuid/9e92ea95f2bd47cda6e12030526efd40" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " stemming from livestock. Emissions of oxidised nitrogen (NO" }, { "children": [ { "text": "2" } ], "type": "sub" }, { "text": ", nitric acid and nitrate-containing particles) were " }, { "children": [ { "text": "highest in" } ], "data": { "url": "https://emep.int/publ/reports/2024/EMEP_Status_Report_1_2024.pdf" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " Belgium, northern Germany, northern Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. 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Eutrophication caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition in Europe" } ], "type": "h3-light" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "0a1c7e80-9b7f-4a51-aa54-362e9d0b4f04" ] } }, "id": "figure-metadata-02ba4a04-fcfe-4968-806f-1dac3119cfef", "styles": {} }, "d3d49723-14e5-4663-b346-37ee3572f28d": { "@type": "slate", "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "ff4de168-0c19-4c6a-9ddc-4933fad68806": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The critical loads for nitrogen deposition were exceeded in almost all EEA-38 member countries in both 2005 and 2023 (Figure 2). In 2023, the highest share of ecosystem area in exceedance were in Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg and Malta. In 2023, the ecosystem area where critical loads were exceeded in EU-27 was around 1,068,000km 2 , compared to 1,249,000km 2 in 2005, a reduction of 14%.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "critical loads" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " for nitrogen deposition were exceeded in almost all EEA-38 member countries in both 2005 and 2023 (Figure 2). In 2023, the highest share of ecosystem area in exceedance were in Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg and Malta. In 2023, the ecosystem area where critical loads were exceeded in EU-27 was around 1,068,000km" }, { "children": [ { "text": "2" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": ", compared to 1,249,000km" }, { "children": [ { "text": "2" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " in 2005, a reduction of 14%." } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "c18b37a3-ba46-4d4a-b5e2-ae20671dd804", "02ba4a04-fcfe-4968-806f-1dac3119cfef", "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881e", "ff4de168-0c19-4c6a-9ddc-4933fad68806", "4722f072-5db0-418f-a898-aa8afc5e5ac8" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": false, "fixed": true, "ignoreSpaces": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<ol keys=\"9bbul,b1sa2,171og,1c1t5\" depth=\"0\"><li>Depending on the indicator context, this text can provide information at country level or, if this is not relevant, at some other level, e.g. sectoral, regional level.</li><li>This text interprets the data represented in the chart, rather than 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The implementation of measures intended to achieve the 50% reduction in nutrient losses set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy and the nature restoration targets of the Biodiversity strategy will also contribute to reducing atmospheric nitrogen deposition.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Implementing the existing legislation in full and taking action to meet the stricter air quality standards of the revised " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Ambient Air Quality Directive" } ], "data": { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/2881/oj/eng" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " are important steps for reducing the pressure from nitrogen on ecosystems. The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "implementation of measures" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " intended to achieve the 50% reduction in nutrient losses set out in the\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Farm to Fork Strategy" } ], "data": { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0381" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " and the nature restoration targets of the\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Biodiversity strategy" } ], "data": { "url": "https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "\u00a0will also contribute to reducing atmospheric nitrogen deposition. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "21c1fed3-8b0d-45a5-80e8-409f1ab76438": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The Clean Air Outlook highlights the importance of specific actions to address ammonia emissions from agriculture. Particularly through more efficient management and application of manure from cattle, pigs, and poultry, as well as mineral fertilisers to reduce ammonia emissions.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Clean Air Outlook" } ], "data": { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0064&qid=1741360484886" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " highlights the importance of " }, { "children": [ { "text": "specific actions" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " to address ammonia emissions from agriculture. Particularly through more efficient management and application of manure from cattle, pigs, and poultry, as well as mineral fertilisers to reduce ammonia emissions. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "2dd947a9-4d38-46f4-8509-a437bdbbc1f5": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The European Commission's ZPAP aims to reduce pollution in the EU to levels not harmful to human health or ecosystems. Target 3 of the plan sets a clear objective to reduce the area of ecosystems by 25% where nitrogen deposition exceeds critical loads by the year 2030, compared to levels in 2005. This indicator monitors progress towards this target.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The European Commission's " }, { "children": [ { "text": "ZPAP" } ], "data": { "url": "https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/zero-pollution-action-plan_en#:~:text=These%20targets%20include%3A%20improving%20air%20quality%20to%20reduce,and%20microplastics%20released%20into%20the%20environment%20%28by%2030%25%29%3B" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " aims to reduce pollution in the EU to levels not harmful to human health or ecosystems. " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Target 3" } ], "data": { "url": "https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/zero-pollution-action-plan/zero-pollution-targets_en" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " of the plan sets a clear objective to reduce the area of ecosystems by 25% where nitrogen deposition " }, { "children": [ { "text": "exceeds " } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": "critical loads by the year 2030, compared to levels in 2005. This indicator monitors progress towards this target." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881d": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fitted": false, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "section": false, "short": true, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} }, "461597c2-9c16-4d31-b991-d6be812ed30c": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The European Commission's Fourth Clean Air Outlook provides further analyses of the prospects of achieving this target and identifies potential policy adjustments to meet the goal by 2030. The baseline scenario, which assumes no additional measures beyond current efforts, predicts a reduction of only 19% in affected ecosystems by 2030, compared to 2005. While this represents progress, it falls short of the 25% reduction goal for all affected areas .", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The European Commission's " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Fourth Clean Air Outlook" } ], "data": { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0064&qid=1741360484886" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " provides further analyses of the prospects of achieving this target and identifies potential policy adjustments to meet the goal by 2030. The baseline scenario, which assumes no additional measures beyond current efforts, " }, { "children": [ { "text": "predicts" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " a reduction of only 19% in affected ecosystems by 2030, compared to 2005. While this represents progress, it falls short of the 25% reduction goal for all affected areas" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": ". " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "5047e033-651e-4fe3-9c86-401a755e3db5": { "@type": "group", "className": "figure-metadata", "data": { "blocks": { "ac4d2fe8-69b2-4ee3-8e3d-32f4672f3cc9": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Figure 1. Risk of eutrophication measured as exceedance of critical loads of nitrogen deposition in Europe, in 2023", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Figure 1. Risk of eutrophication measured as exceedance of critical loads of nitrogen deposition in Europe, in 2023" } ], "type": "h3-light" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "ac4d2fe8-69b2-4ee3-8e3d-32f4672f3cc9" ] } }, "id": "figure-metadata-b0279dde-1ceb-4137-a7f1-5ab7b46a782c", "styles": {} }, "7275686f-6159-4fd8-a2fa-cd72868680cf": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The quantitative assessment of nitrogen deposition on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is estimated based on the concept of critical loads. When the deposition of nitrogen exceeds such critical loads, it can lead to eutrophication and biodiversity loss. Nitrogen deposition is mainly caused by ammonia (NH 3 ) from agricultural activities and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) from combustion processes.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "quantitative assessment" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/publikationen/cce-status-report-2022" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " of " }, { "children": [ { "text": "nitrogen deposition" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is estimated based on the concept of critical loads. When the deposition of nitrogen exceeds such critical loads, it can lead to eutrophication and biodiversity loss. Nitrogen deposition is mainly caused by ammonia (NH" }, { "children": [ { "text": "3" } ], "type": "sub" }, { "text": ") from agricultural activities and nitrogen oxides (NO" }, { "children": [ { "text": "x" } ], "type": "sub" }, { "text": ") from combustion processes. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "b0279dde-1ceb-4137-a7f1-5ab7b46a782c": { "@type": "embed_content", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p>figure instructions goes here</p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "url": "../../../../resolveuid/b1230e744b484ccd9fc2fbb4fca6e582" }, "ddbc5dfb-dd27-4016-92a9-5ff62d7635ec": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "In 2023, the highest exceedances of the critical loads of nitrogen deposition were found in the Po Valley in Italy and the border areas between the Netherlands and Germany (Figure 1). High exceedances were also found along the border between Denmark and Germany and in north-eastern Spain. Exceedance hot spots also appeared in the Netherlands and its border areas with Belgium.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "In 2023, the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "highest" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " exceedances of the critical loads of nitrogen deposition were found in the Po Valley in Italy and the border areas between the Netherlands and Germany (Figure 1). High exceedances were also found along the border between Denmark and Germany and in north-eastern Spain. Exceedance hot spots also appeared in the Netherlands and its border areas with Belgium." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "deb7e84d-d2c8-4491-90fa-3dc65fe02143": { "@type": "slate", "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "5047e033-651e-4fe3-9c86-401a755e3db5", "b0279dde-1ceb-4137-a7f1-5ab7b46a782c", "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881d", "7275686f-6159-4fd8-a2fa-cd72868680cf", "2dd947a9-4d38-46f4-8509-a437bdbbc1f5", "ddbc5dfb-dd27-4016-92a9-5ff62d7635ec", "461597c2-9c16-4d31-b991-d6be812ed30c", "21c1fed3-8b0d-45a5-80e8-409f1ab76438", "191cb700-ece1-4369-935b-e5e28e840df5" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": false, "fixed": true, "ignoreSpaces": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><strong>Assessment text remains at</strong> <strong>the relevant</strong> <strong>aggregate level</strong> <strong>(i.e.</strong> <strong>global, EU, sectoral)</strong> <strong>and addresses the following: </strong></p><ol keys=\"dkvn8,e367c,f4lpb,9j981,7ai6k,3g3pd\" depth=\"0\"><li>Explains in one or two sentences on the environmental rationale of the indicator, i.e. why it matters to the environment that we see an increase/decrease in the value measured.</li><li>Explains in one or two sentences the associated policy objective, which can be either quantitative or directional. More information on the policy objective and related references will be included in the supporting information section. Where there is no policy objective associated with the indicator, i.e. where the indicator addresses an issue that is important for future policy formulation, this text should explain instead why this issue is important.</li><li>IF NECESSARY - Explains any mismatch between what the indicator tracks and what the policy objective/issue is.</li><li>Qualifies the historical trend (e.g. steady increase) and explains the key reasons (e.g. policies) behind it. If there is a quantitative target it explains if we are on track to meet it.</li><li>IF NECESSARY - Explains any recent changes to the trend and why.</li><li>IF NECESSARY - Describes what needs to happen to see adequate progress in future, for instance in order to remain on track to meet targets.</li></ol><p><strong>Please cite your work if</strong> <strong>necessary</strong> <strong>using the EEA citation style (i.e.</strong> <strong>EEA, 2020). A full reference list appears in the supporting information section.</strong></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "maxChars": "2000", "placeholder": "Aggregate level assessment e.g. progress at global, EU level..", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Aggregate level assessment" }, "e71c25c3-e3eb-441a-9a36-cbd6544d46a1": { "@layout": "794c9b24-5cd4-4b9f-a0cd-b796aadc86e8", "@type": "group", "allowedBlocks": [], "as": "section", "block": "e71c25c3-e3eb-441a-9a36-cbd6544d46a1", "data": { "blocks": { "12d8c532-f7ad-43fe-ada7-330b2d7a7a39": { "@type": "slate", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "Published: date \u2012 25min read", "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Published: " }, { "children": [ { "text": "date" } ], "data": { "id": "effective", "widget": "datetime" }, "type": "mention" }, { "text": " \u2012 25min read" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "1c31c956-5086-476a-8694-9936cfa6c240": { "@type": "description", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p>The summary tells the reader about the indicator trend over the examined period and whether or not it helps to achieve the associated policy objective, which can be either quantitative or directional.</p><p>In the absence of a policy objective, it explains whether the trend is in the right or wrong direction in relation to the issue examined.</p><p>If there has been an important change over the most recent period of the time series, e.g. over the last year, this is indicated too.</p><p>Furthermore, if there is a quantitative target, it also indicates whether we are on track to meet it and if not what are the reasons preventing that, e.g. socio-economic drivers, implementation gap etc.</p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "placeholder": "Summary", "plaintext": "The European Commission's Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP) aims to reduce the area of ecosystems affected by eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition by 25% by 2030. This indicator monitors the progress towards this target. Between 2005 and 2023, the area of ecosystems at risk of eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition in the EU-27 Member States reduced by almost 14%. Initiatives such as the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive, Farm to Fork strategy and Biodiversity strategy for 2030 are key frameworks to further reduce the risk of eutrophication in ecosystems.", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The European Commission's Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP) aims to reduce the area of ecosystems affected by eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition by 25% by 2030. This indicator monitors the progress towards this target. Between 2005 and 2023, the area of ecosystems at risk of eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition in the EU-27 Member States reduced by almost 14%. Initiatives such as the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive, Farm to Fork strategy and Biodiversity strategy for 2030 are key frameworks to further reduce the risk of eutrophication in ecosystems." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "3cccc2bb-471a-44c7-b006-5595c4713ff2": { "@type": "layoutSettings", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "layout_size": "narrow_view", "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true }, "ddde07aa-4e48-4475-94bd-e1a517d26eab": { "copyrightIcon": "ri-copyright-line", "styles": {}, "variation": "default", "@type": "title", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hideContentType": true, "hideCreationDate": true, "hideDownloadButton": true, "hideModificationDate": true, "placeholder": "Indicator title", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "ddde07aa-4e48-4475-94bd-e1a517d26eab", "1c31c956-5086-476a-8694-9936cfa6c240", "3cccc2bb-471a-44c7-b006-5595c4713ff2" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "fixedLayout": true, "ignoreSpaces": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p>The summary tells the reader about the indicator trend over the examined period and whether or not it helps to achieve the associated policy objective, which can be either quantitative or directional.</p><p>In the absence of a policy objective, it explains whether the trend is in the right or wrong direction in relation to the issue examined.</p><p>If there has been an important change over the most recent period of the time series, e.g. over the last year, this is indicated too.</p><p>Furthermore, if there is a quantitative target, it also indicates whether we are on track to meet it and if not what are the reasons preventing that, e.g. socio-economic drivers, implementation gap etc.</p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "maxChars": "500", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "styles": { "style_name": "environment-theme-bg" }, "title": "Content header" }, "e9736b7c-4902-48aa-aecd-b706409a576d": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "required": true, "section": false, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} } }
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Supporting information
Methodology [ { "children": [ { "text": "The European database of critical loads for eutrophication used in this indicator is compiled by the " }, { "type": "link", "data": { "url": "https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/coordination_centre_for_effects" }, "children": [ { "text": "Coordination Centre for Effects (CCE)" } ] }, { "text": " under the " }, { "type": "link", "data": { "url": "https://unece.org/environmental-policy-1/air" }, "children": [ { "text": "UNECE Air Convention" } ] }, { "text": ". For deriving the indicator, the latest scientific knowledge and modelling approaches, consistent with the ones used under the Air Convention (Gothenburg Protocol), are used by the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "CCE" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/Coordination_Centre_for_Effects" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The CCE applies methods that are described in detail in CCE status reports, and adopted by the Task Force of the International Cooperative Programme on Modelling and Mapping " }, { "children": [ { "text": "(ICP Modelling and Mapping" } ], "data": { "url": "https://unece.org/environmental-policy/air/modelling-and-mapping" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ") in a mapping manual" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">CCE, 2020, 'Manual for modelling and mapping critical loads &amp; levels', <i>Coordination Centre for Effects, Umwelt Bundesamt</i> (https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/manual-for-modelling-mapping-critical-loads-levels).</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "CCE, 2020, Manual for modelling and mapping critica", "uid": "L1w31", "zoteroId": "J7GG7XQS" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ", for use by national focal centres (NFCs) under the ICP Modelling and Mapping. NFCs compute critical loads and submit data to the CCE at regular intervals after a consensus has been reached by Parties to the Air Convention (including most EEA member countries)." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Risk of eutrophication is shown in this indicator as exceedance of critical loads of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Areas where critical loads for eutrophication are exceeded are given as percentages of the total ecosystem area in each grid cell. \u2018Total ecosystem area\u2019 is defined as the area of ecosystem types classified according to the European Nature Information System (" }, { "children": [ { "text": "EUNIS" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EEA, 2021, 'Welcome to EUNIS, the European Nature Information System', <i>European Environment Agency</i> (https://eunis.eea.europa.eu).</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EEA, 2021, Welcome to EUNIS, the European Nature In", "uid": "hqnCA", "zoteroId": "LA2RPRSR" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ") habitats classification. The CCE uses a European background database to compute critical loads for ecosystems in countries that do not submit data." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The average accumulated exceedance (AAE) can be computed for an ecosystem, a grid cell or any region or country for which multiple critical loads and deposition values are available." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Input sources for critical load calculations include:" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 nitrogen dose-response relationships, provided/updated under the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Air Convention\u2019s Working Group on Effects" } ], "data": { "url": "https://unece.org/environment-policy/air/working-group-effects" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ", based on latest scientific knowledge;" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 ecosystem types defined according to the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "EUNIS habitats classification" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/eunis-habitat-classification" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " (member countries report to the EEA);" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 country-specific critical loads of nitrogen for ecosystem types such as nutrient-poor grasslands, forests or freshwater ecosystems (" }, { "children": [ { "text": "reported by European countries to the CCE" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/cce-data-models" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ");" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 for countries that do not submit national data, values from the European background database, maintained by the CCE in collaboration with " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra);" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/Environmental-Research.htm" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 gap-filled air pollutant emissions data based on data officially reported under the Gothenburg Protocol (gridded), derived by the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Centre on Emission Inventories and Projections (CEIP)" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.ceip.at/" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " at UBA Vienna, Austria;" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) atmospheric dispersion model, which simulates how pollutants emitted to the air disperse in the ambient atmosphere (" }, { "children": [ { "text": "EMEP MSC-West at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.emep.int/mscw/index.html" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ");" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 a meteorological driver as an input to the EMEP model (provided by the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.ecmwf.int/" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ");" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 modelled ecosystem-specific (gridded) nitrogen deposition rates (nitrate-N plus ammonium-N) for calculating critical load exceedances for single years (" }, { "children": [ { "text": "EMEP MSC-West at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute" } ], "data": { "url": "https://emep.int/mscw/" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ");" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 monitoring of wet and dry nitrogen deposition, used to calibrate the EMEP model (e.g. monitored by the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring" } ], "data": { "url": "https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/fi/projects/international-cooperative-programme-icp-on-integrated-monitoring-" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ", under the Air Convention)." } ], "type": "p" } ]
Data sources and providers { "readOnly": true, "data": [ { "@id": "c7c48939-2254-4d9f-b8bb-aa15e8fe5664", "title": "GIS data for the CL exceedance for Eutrophication of the year 2023", "link": "https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/maps-cce-data?parent=68093", "organisation": "European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) Meteorological Synthesizing Centre - West (MSC-W) and Coordination Centre for Effects (CCE)" } ] }
Definition [ { "children": [ { "text": "This indicator investigates the exceedance of the critical loads for atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the " }, { "type": "link", "data": { "url": "http://www.eea.europa.eu/en/countries" }, "children": [ { "text": "EEA member and cooperating countries" } ] }, { "text": "." } ], "type": "p" } ]
Unit of measure [ { "children": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "magnitude " } ], "type": "em" }, { "text": "of critical load exceedance is expressed in nitrogen equivalents per hectare per year (eq N ha" }, { "children": [ { "text": "-1" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": "\u00a0yr" }, { "children": [ { "text": "-1" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": ")." } ], "type": "li" }, { "children": [ { "text": "For the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "ecosystem area" } ], "type": "em" }, { "text": ", a percentage (%) of the total ecosystem area in each grid cell is calculated (see details under \u2018Methodology\u2019)." } ], "type": "li" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Average accumulated exceedance (AAE) is the area-weighted average of exceedances, accumulated over all sensitive habitats (or ecosystem points) defined in a grid cell." } ], "type": "li" } ], "type": "ul" } ]
Policy / environmental relevance [ { "children": [ { "text": "Target 3 of the European Commission\u2019s Zero Pollution Action Plan is for the EU to achieve a reduction of 25% in the ecosystem area where nitrogen deposition is above critical loads for eutrophication by 2030, compared with 2005" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EC, 2021, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Pathway to a healthy planet for all &#x2014; EU action plan: &#x2018;Towards zero pollution for air, water and soil&#x2019;, COM(2021) 400 final.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EC, 2021, Communication from the Commission to the", "uid": "Bt-7p", "zoteroId": "CX2UF3ZC" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". The basis for achieving this target is the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (" }, { "children": [ { "text": "NEC Directive" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EU, 2016, Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants, amending Directive 2003/35/EC and repealing Directive 2001/81/EC, OJ L 344, 17.12.2016, p. 1&#x2013;31.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EU, Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants, amending Directive 2003/35/EC and repealing Directive 2001/81/EC", "uid": "LdfLU", "zoteroId": "CMJKY2Q8" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ")." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The " }, { "type": "link", "data": { "url": "https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air/reducing-emissions-air-pollutants/national-air-pollution-control-programmes-and-projections_en" }, "children": [ { "text": "National Air Pollution Control Programmes" } ] }, { "text": " (NAPCPs; under Article 6 of the NEC Directive) are the main governance instruments of the " }, { "type": "link", "data": { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/2284/oj/eng" }, "children": [ { "text": "NEC Directive" } ] }, { "text": " and set out how EU Member States must ensure that their emission reduction commitments for 2020-2029 and 2030 onwards are met. With respect to nitrogen, the NEC Directive includes binding commitments for NO" }, { "children": [ { "text": "x" } ], "type": "sub" }, { "text": " and NH" }, { "children": [ { "text": "3" } ], "type": "sub" }, { "text": " emissions." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Target 3 of the zero pollution action plan is expected to be achieved through:" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "1. the implementation of measures announced by Member States in their NAPCPs and of further measures to reach the NEC Directive ammonia emission reduction commitments." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "2. the implementation of additional measures needed to achieve the 50% reduction in nutrient losses set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EC, 2021, 'Farm to fork strategy', <i>European Commission</i> (https://ec.europa.eu/food/horizontal-topics/farm-fork-strategy_en).</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EC, 2021, Farm to fork strategy", "uid": "5qZrT", "zoteroId": "F6XLEVXI" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": " and the nature restoration targets set out in the Biodiversity strategy for 2030" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EC, 2021, 'Biodiversity strategy for 2030', <i>European Commission</i> (https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en).</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EC, 2021, Biodiversity strategy for 2030", "uid": "9V6sm", "zoteroId": "A4HWFJFQ" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": "." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The indicator is also relevant for the ongoing revision (2025 - 2026) of the Gothenburg Protocol" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">UNECE, 2021, 'Gothenburg Protocol', <i>United Nations Economic Commission for Europe</i> (https://unece.org/gothenburg-protocol).</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "UNECE, 2021, Gothenburg Protocol", "uid": "Q0kwU", "zoteroId": "D3XJUYB5" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": " of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe\u2019s Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention)" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">UNECE, 2021, 'Air', <i>United Nations Economic Commission for Europe</i> (https://unece.org/environment-policy/air) accessed December 17, 2021.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "UNECE, 2021, Air", "uid": "fYpW0", "zoteroId": "RKIT3WHD" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": "." } ], "type": "p" } ]
Frequency of dissemination 1
Accuracy and uncertainties [ { "children": [ { "text": "The critical loads concept has been applied to the air pollution policy context for several decades (Air Convention and EU legislation). Critical load calculation methods are based on information provided by the scientific community in the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Working Group on Effects" } ], "data": { "url": "http://www.unece-wge.org/" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">UNECE WGE, 2021, 'The Working Group on Effects (WGE) under the UNECE Air Convention', <i>Working Group on Effects of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution</i> (http://www.unece-wge.org).</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "UNECE WGE, 2021, The Working Group on Effects (WGE) under", "uid": "qt4iM", "zoteroId": "HCF44KKS" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": "(UNECE WGE, 2021) under the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Air Convention" } ], "data": { "url": "https://unece.org/environment-policy/air" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "." } ], "type": "p" }, { "type": "p", "children": [ { "text": "" } ] }, { "type": "p", "children": [ { "text": "Since the critical loads exceedance approach is a tool used in policy-related analysis, assessment of biases and the robustness of the approach are a major focus when addressing uncertainties. This assessment is also affected by the degrees of uncertainty in the emissions and atmospheric dispersion modelling estimates, and the scenarios used. Sensitivity analyses using, for example, different emission estimates for future years or excluding the correlation in the dispersion of pollutants give information on the uncertainty range" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">Hettelingh, J.-P., Posch, M. and Slootweg, J., 2012, <i>EC4MACS modelling methodology &#x2014; The CCE-EIA ecosystems impact model</i>, European Consortium for Modelling of Air Pollution and Climate Strategies, Coordination Centre for Effects, Bilthoven, Netherlands.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "Hettelingh, J. -P., 2012, EC4MACS modelling methodology \u2014 The CCE-, Bilthoven, Netherlands", "uid": "eztoI", "zoteroId": "J5HLDBEF" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": "." } ] }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Critical loads exceedance modelling requires input from many different sources, all of which are well documented and based on international standards/consensus (please see input sources listed under `Methodology`)." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Both critical loads and land cover-specific EMEP deposition data are geo-referenced with a harmonised land cover data set, allowing for spatially consistent critical load exceedance maps." } ], "type": "p" } ]
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Short name eutrophication-caused-by-atmospheric-nitrogen
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Contents
Ecosystem area at risk of eutrophication and the magnitude of exceedance

Air pollution threatens biodiversity. Excess amounts of nitrogen deposited in terrestrial ecosystems causes harmful eutrophication when so-called critical loads are exceeded. This can lead to changes in species diversity, for example in nutrient-poor grasslands. The main sources of atmospheric nitrogen deposition are nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions from combustion processes and ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions from agriculture.

Risk of eutrophication measured as exceedance of critical loads of nitrogen deposition in Europe, in 2023

Excess amounts of nitrogen deposited in terrestrial ecosystems causes harmful eutrophication when so-called critical loads are exceeded. This map illustrates the risk of eutrophication measured as exceedance of critical loads of nitrogen deposition in Europe. The main sources of atmospheric nitrogen deposition are nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from combustion processes and ammonia (NH3) emissions from agriculture.