Clearing the air: NO2 pollution’s impact on local lichen

Densely packed urban cities are characterized by significant vehicle emissions contributing to anthropogenic pollution, particularly, atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2). I analyzed air quality reports across Metro Vancouver spanning over the last 20 years to reveal variations in annual NO2 levels. After collecting data from 24 stations I selected five cities (Mission, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond), which represent a gradient of NO2 pollution ranging from low (3 ppb) to high (19 ppb). Lichen, as rootless organisms reliant on absorbing airborne nutrients, are susceptible to air pollutants. For this study, I identified six lichen species, four species that are sensitive to high amounts of NO2 and two tolerant species. I aim to establish a relationship between NO2 pollution & lichen diversity by surveying the presence, biomass, and richness of NO2-sensitive and tolerant lichen species in the field. To collect data at each of the 5 locations, I will use 3 transects (each 10m long), and record trees with lichen within 1m of the transect line. Additionally, I will also assess each lichen’s height, width & length, to calculate lichen biomass. A reduction in either lichen abundance or biomass could disrupt other ecological niches. To migrate anthropogenic impacts and encourage a healthy ecosystem it is essential to understand how pollution affects biodiversity. Poster submission was sponsored by Dr. Jessica Clasen, (Science and Technology Department) for course EAES 2357 and was presented at the New Westminster campus on April 11, 2024, for Student Research Days 2024.