Program Features
Forest
Health Indicators
Ozone Indicator
The Ozone Indicator is one of the forest health
variables measured by the FIA program. It is
designed to detect and monitor ozone stress
in the forest environment. Ozone-induced foliar
injury data is collected from field sites on
a nation-wide grid of ozone biomonitoring plots.
Sampling intensity varies across the landscape
according to differing air quality regimes and
perceived risk to ozone sensitive forest types.
Why is the Ozone Indicator Important?
Air pollutants, such as ground-level ozone,
are known to interact with forest ecosystems.
Ozone pollution has been shown to reduce tree
growth, alter species composition, and predispose
trees to insect and disease attack. Ozone also
causes direct foliar injury to many plant species.
Affected leaves are often marked with discoloration
and lesions, and they age more rapidly than
normal leaves. This approach is known as biomonitoring
and the plant species used are known as bioindicators.
For more information about the Ozone Indicator visit our Ozone
Indicator website or
view the FIA
Ozone Indicator Fact Sheet.
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