The book explores the relationship between decline and ozone. It comprises a broad range of methods concerning field ecology, model ecosystem research, and basic physiological and biochemical research. Prominent features are the use of ozone dose rather than concentration values only, and the illustration of ozone effects in numerous exciting color photographs. The presented results are essential for designing new field and laboratory experiments.

For some time it has been generally known that elevated ozone concentrations in the air are injurious to human health, but ozone is also toxic to plants. The book presents new insights into its role in forest decline.

Autorentext
Professor Dr. Heinrich Sandermann ist Biologe und Direktor des Instituts für Biochemische Pflanzenpathologie des GSF-Forschungszentrums für Umwelt und Gesundheit in Neuherberg.

Inhalt
1 Ozone Formation, Destruction and Exposure in Europe and the United States.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 The Chemistry of Tropospheric Ozone Formation.- 1.3 Urban Ozone Formation and Transport to Mountain Sites.- 1.4 Meteorological Effects on Tropospheric Ozone Concentrations.- 1.5 Ozone Networks and the Analysis of Measurements.- 1.6 The Global Distribution of Ozone Concentrations and the Seasonal Cycle.- 1.7 Long-Term Trends in Tropospheric Ozone Concentrations.- 1.8 Present Ozone Concentrations and Ozone Exposure over Europe and North America.- 1.9 Dry Deposition of Ozone.- 1.10 Conclusions.- References.- 2 Ozone and Its Known and Potential Effects on Forests in Western United States.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trends of Ozone in Relation to Geographic Setting and Summer Climate.- 2.3 History of Ozone Damage to Californian Forests.- 2.4 Experimental Exposures of Western Conifers to Ozone.- 2.5 Effects of Chronic Ozone Exposure on Radial Growth in the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains.- 2.6 Summary.- References.- 3 Ozone and Its Known and Potential Effects on Forests in Eastern United States.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Recent Findings from Northeastern Forests.- 3.3 Recent Findings from Northcentral Pennsylvania..- 3.4 Recent Findings from the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.- 3.5 Recent Findings from Southern United States..- 3.6 Recent Findings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.- 3.7 General Conclusions.- References.- 4 Ozone and the Forests in Austria and Switzerland.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 O3 Levels and Areas at Risk in the Alps of Central Europe.- 4.3 Tree Responses to O3 Levels at Forest Sites.- 4.4 Mechanisms of O3 Impact on Trees Under Controlled Exposure Conditions.- 4.5 Evidence of O3 Injury on a Regional Scale?.-4.6 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Role of Ozone in Forest Decline on Wank Mountain (Alps).- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Site Characteristics.- 5.3 Atmospheric Exposure.- 5.4 Soil Characteristics and Tree Nutrition.- 5.5 Physiological Observations.- 5.6 Conclusions.- References.- 6 Ozone Responses of Trees: Results from Controlled Chamber Exposures at the GSF Phytotron.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Chamber Design and Performance.- 6.3 Selected Exposure Experiments.- 6.3.3 Effects of Mixtures of Air Pollutants.- 6.4 Biochemical Responses to Ozone.- 6.5 Premature Senescence in Beech.- 6.6 Memory Effects for Ozone in Conifers.- 6.7 Conclusions.- References.- 7 Controlled O3 Exposures and Field Observations of 03 Effects in the UK.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 The 03 Climate of the UK.- 7.3 Surveys of Tree Health.- 7.4 Long-Term Ozone Exposures.- 7.5 Ozone-Induced Changes in Epicuticular Waxes.- 7.6 Effects of O3 on Winter Hardiness and Frost Injury.- 7.7 Effects of Ozone on Nutrient Leaching.- 7.8 Effects of Ozone on Photosynthesis and Carbon Allocation.- 7.9 Interactive Effects of Ozone.- 7.10 Conclusions.- References.- 8 Controlled Ozone Exposures and Field Observations in Fennoscandia.- 8.1 Land Use in Fennoscandia.- 8.2 Ozone Concentrations in Fennoscandia.- 8.3 Forest Health.- 8.4 Exposure Facilities Open-Top Chambers and Open-Release Systems.- 8.5 Ozone-Induced Changes in Structure.- 8.6 Ozone-Induced Changes in Gas Exchange.- 8.7 Ozone-Induced Changes in Growth.- 8.8 Conclusions.- References.- 9 Methods for Controlled and Field Ozone Exposures of Forest Tree Species in North America.- 9.1 The Forest and Ozone.- 9.2 Basis for Comparison of Field vs Chamber Research.- 9.3 Limitations to Comparisons.- 9.4 What Is Needed for Future Studies?.- 9.5 Summary and Conclusions.-References.- 10 Physiological Processes and Plant Responses to Ozone Exposure.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The Assault of Air Pollutants upon Plants.- 10.3 Summary of Physiological and Biochemical Events.- 10.4 Role of Models.- 10.5 Conclusion.- References.- 11 Forest Decline and Ozone: Synopsis.- 11.1 Decline Definitions.- 11.2 Ozone History of the Series Ecological Studies.- 11.3 Decline Potential of Ozone.- 11.4 Ozone and Plant Homeostasis.- 11.5 Types of Injury and Improved Ozone Diagnostics.- 11.6 Population and Ecosystem Responses.- References.- Appendix: Color Illustrations.