Impacts of air pollution on ecosystems in Europe

This briefing is part of the Air quality in Europe 2024 package and examines how vegetation is exposed to key air pollutants. It is based on data reported by the EEA’s member countries in 2022 and complemented with interpolated maps. The briefing supports the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive and the zero-pollution action plan (ZPAP).

Key messages:

• Atmospheric nitrogen increases nutrient loads on habitats. 73% of the EU-27’s ecosystems were above the critical loads for eutrophication in 2022. The ZPAP target of a 25% reduction by 2030 (compared to 2005), is currently unlikely to be met.
• In 2022, almost one third of Europe’s agricultural lands were exposed to ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations above the threshold value set for protection of vegetation in the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive. This resulted in crop damage, reduced yields and economic losses.
• O3 also damages other types of vegetation, thus impacting biodiversity. In 2022, 62% of the total forest area in the 32 EEA member countries exceeded critical levels set to protect forests.
• Significant decreases in emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2) over recent decades have mostly addressed the problem of acidification.