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Nitrogen levels on a decline: Study

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    19th Apr, 2022

Context

An imbalance in nitrogen availability has been reported across the globe, with some places having an excess and others a shortage of the element, according to a new report. 

What is Nitrogen?

  • Nitrogen, or N, using its scientific abbreviation, is a colorless, odorless element. 
  • Nitrogen is in the soil under our feet, in the water we drink, and in the air we breathe. 
  • In fact, nitrogen is the most abundant element in Earth’s atmosphere: approximately 78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen! 

Reason behind declining Nitrogen

  • High CO2: Plants grow quickly when exposed to high carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Thus, their demand for nitrogen also goes up.
  • High CO2 levels dilute plant nitrogen, triggering a cascade of effects that lower the availability of nitrogen. 
  • Other factors contributing to nitrogen decline include 
    • warming  
    • Disturbances ( including wildfire)

Impact of low nitrogen on plant species

  • Without nitrogen, an essential nutrient, plants grow slowly and produce smaller flowers and fruits. 
  • Their leaves turn yellowish and are less nutritious to insects, birds and animals.
  • Declining nitrogen availability can be linked to insect apocalypse, Mason said. Plants with low nitrogen levels can encourage swarming in some species of locusts.
  • Further, low nitrogen availability could limit plants’ ability to capture CO2 from the atmosphere.

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