A Subalpine Meadow on Niwot Ridge (IMAGE) University of Colorado at Boulder Caption An analysis of the relationship between herbaceous plant diversity and anthropogenic nitrogen deposition across the United States by Simkin et al. using a survey of over 15,000 plots indicates that around 24% of the sites examined are likely to lose species as a result of this pollution. The loss of diversity appears to be most acute in non-forested areas with acidic soils, such as the meadow shown here. The results indicate that species losses are ongoing in many plant communities, and that the environmental context of the site, including soil pH, precipitation, and temperature, influences the vulnerability of communities to diversity loss, and should be taken into account in setting air quality standards. Credit Image courtesy of William D. Bowman, University of Colorado, Boulder Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.