Acidic deposition along the Appalachian Trail corridor and its effects on acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic resources: Results of the Appalachian Trail MEGA-transect atmospheric deposition effects study. Natural Resource Report supporting GIS data.

GIS data used for report analysis. Includes gdb features for base GIS, critical loads data, deposition, landcover, protected areas, soil chemistry, target loads, target loads predictors and water chemistry. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT), a unit of the National Park Service (NPS), spans nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, encompassing a diverse range of ecosystems. Acidic deposition (acid rain) threatens the AT’s natural resources. Acid rain is a result of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) compounds produced from fossil fuel combustion, motor vehicles, and agricultural practices. The AT is particularly vulnerable to S and N because it passes along ridge tops that receive higher levels of acid rain than lower valley terrain, and these ridges are often underlain by bedrock with minimal ability to buffer acidic inputs. Further, there are numerous S and N emission sources across the region. In the environment, acidic deposition can lower the pH of streams and soils which can ultimately affect fish, invertebrates, and vegetation that inhabit these areas. To address this concern, the MegaTransect Deposition Effects Study evaluated the condition and sensitivity of the AT corridor with respect to acidic deposition, and defined air pollution thresholds (critical and target loads) and recovery rates. Findings indicate that additional S emission reductions are needed to restore the AT.

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                                            [
  "Acid Neutralizing Capacity",
  "Appalachian Trail",
  "Atmospheric Deposition",
  "Critical Load",
  "Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Air Quality | Wet and Dry Deposition",
  "Magic model",
  "Soil Chemistry",
  "base cation saturation",
  "stream chemistry",
  "target load"
]
                                        

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