English Abstract In this study an assessment has been made of the
present and possible future acidification and eutrophication of natural and
semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems, and riverine nitrogen transport to
estuaries, coastal seas and continental shelves. The major objectives were
to delineate areas potentially affected by depostition of nitrogen and
sulphur compounds, to estimate the severity of acidification and
eutrophication problems, and to identify research and data gaps. The
results indicate that the critical loads for acidification and
eutrophication are exceeded in 6-15% and 7-18% of the global area of natural
and semi-natural ecosystems, respectively. Currently, most serious risks
are found in the heavily industrialised regions of eastern USA, Europe and
the Former Soviet Union, but risks were also found for parts of South
America, large parts of ASIA and parts of Western, Eastern and Southern
Africa. Scenario analysis shows that both acidification and eutrophication
risks could significantly increase in the second group of
regions.
