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Ecosystem services altered by human changes in the N cycle: A new perspective for decision-making

J. Compton, R. Dennis, T. Greaver, B. Hill, S. Jordan, H. Walker, US EPA ORD J. Harrison, Washington State University H. Campbell, Oregon State University

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Ecosystem services (ES)

the aspects of ecosystems used to produce human well-being (Fisher et al. 2008 Ecol Apps)

use N cascade to connect nitrogen impacts to ES

present economic valuation estimates if possible

discuss climate-N interactions in ES

Goal of our work

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N2OAir

NH3

Soil

Plant

Soil

Crop Animal

NHxNOyNOx

N2O

N2O(terres trial)

NHxNOy

N2O(aquatic)

Land

Water

Human consumption

Terrestrial production

Energy production

NO3-

Groundwater effects

Particulate matter effects

Stratospheric effects

Agroecosystem effects

Greenhouse gas effects

Ozone effects

Forest & Grassland

effects

The nitrogen cascade

Surface water effects Ocean

effects

Coastal effects

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Reduced visibility

Human respiratory health

Human respiratory health

Crop production declines - ozone

Forest production declines - ozone

UV damage – health, crops, corals

Anticipated climate change

Clean Air

Climate and UV regulation

Effects of nitrogen on air ecosystem services

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Reduced visibility

Human respiratory health - NOx

Human respiratory health - NHy

Crop production declines - ozone

Forest production declines - ozone

UV damage – health, crops, corals

Anticipated climate change

$0.31

$23.07

$4.93

$1.51

$0.89

$1.33

$2.22

$0 $10 $20 $30

Cost ($/kg N)

Clean Air

Climate and UV regulation

Damage to air ecosystem services

Compton et al. 2011 Ecology letters

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Reduced lakefront property values

Impairment of boating access

Freshwater endangered species

Cost of HABs (swimming, drinking)

Bottled water purchases (odor, taste)

Treatment for nitrate in wells

Nitrate in DW (colon cancer)

Other health costs of nitrate in DW

Recreational use of estuary

Fisheries decline with SAV loss

Cost of HABs (closures, fish kills)

Freshwater ES

Drinking water

Coastal ES

Effects of nitrogen on water ecosystem services

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<$0.01

<$0.01

$<0.01

$0.54

$1.76

NE

$6.38

$0 $10 $20 $30

Cost ($/kg N)

<$0.01

NE

$56

Freshwater ES

Drinking water

Coastal ES

Damage to water ecosystem services

NE

Reduced lakefront property values

Impairment of boating access

Freshwater endangered species

Cost of HABs (swimming, drinking)

Bottled water purchases (odor, taste)

Treatment for nitrate in wells

Nitrate in DW (colon cancer)

Other health costs of nitrate in DW

Recreational use of estuary

Fisheries decline with SAV loss

Cost of HABs (closures, fish kills)

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Effects of nitrogen on ecosystem services

$0 $10 $20 $30 Cost ($/kg N)

Clean Air

Terrestrial ecosystems

Climate and UV regulation

Freshwater recreation, use

Drinking water

Coastal fishing, recreation $56

Gaps

Compton et al. 2011 Ecology letters

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Costs of abatement or mitigation

Compton et al. 2011 Ecology letters

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N Fertilizer Input(kg/km2/yr)<100101 - 300301 - 500501 - 700701 - 1,0001,001 - 3,0003,001 - 5,0005,001 - 7,000>7,000

Net farm income($/km2)

<01 - 1,000

1,001 - 5,0005001 - 10,000

10,001 - 30,00030,001 - 50,00050,001 - 70,000

70,001 - 100,000>100,000

Links between N and other services N fertilizer 2001 Net farm income 2002

N deposition

Robin Dennis, EPA NERL

Dan Sobota, In review

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Human consumption

Terrestrial production

Energy production

Forest & Grassland Effects - ?

The nitrogen cascade

Ocean Effects - ?

Coastal Fish & Rec

Respiratory Health

Climate, UV regulation

Climate Regulation

Visibility

FW & GW Effects

Agroecosystem Benefits

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Nitrogen in the future

from Townsend et al. 2004 FIEE

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Robin Dennis, EPA

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Human consumption

Terrestrial production

Energy production

Forest & Grassland Effects - ?

The nitrogen cascade

Ocean Effects - ?

Coastal Fish & Rec

Respiratory Health

Climate, UV regulation

Climate Regulation

Visibility

FW & GW Effects

Agroecosystem Benefits

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Conclusions Current impact of nitrogen on ES

oHuman health air effects dominate o Some effects on fisheries production are very large oMany impacts not valued or only 1 data point oDamages generally greater than abatement costs oUncertainties about transferability of functions

What information on impacts is needed?

o Freshwater and HABs oDrinking water o Fisheries o Recreation and non-use values

Climate change and N interactions expected to impact forests and grasslands, and most aquatic services.

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For more information Jana Compton compton.jana@epa.gov