Adverse Effects of Ozone Pollution on Net Primary Productivity in the North China Plain

Tropospheric ozone significantly damages vegetation and reduces net primary productivity (NPP). We developed a stable linear NPP response model based on accumulated ozone exposure over a threshold of 40 parts per billion (ppb) (AOT40). We then estimated the effects of regional ozone damage on NPP for different vegetation types. The study suggests an average decrease in NPP of 24.7% due to ozone pollution in the North China Plain, similar to previous estimates ranging from 10.1% to 24.7%, with a maximum reduction exceeding 200 [g C m-2 yr-1] and more than 50%. Vegetation types such as broadleaf forests, needleleaf forest, crops, and grasses showed significant NPP decreases of 47.1%, 37.8%, 36.7%, and 44.6%, respectively. Declining NPP also had negative impacts on several Chinese crop species. Our work highlights the need for urgent and effective action to mitigate ozone pollution's substantial detrimental effects on ecosystem health and productivity. Ozone pollution led to an average 25% decrease in net primary productivity in the North China Plain. This decline is consistent with previous estimates that ranged from 10% to 25%. Productivity of forest trees, crops, and grasses declined significantly, ranging from 36.7% to 47.1%. These results have implications for Chinese crops, as lower crop productivity can negatively affect crop yields. Our study highlights the urgent need for action to mitigate the detrimental effects of ozone pollution on ecosystem health and productivity. We developed a stable model to estimate ozone impact on the productivity of plants'Ozone pollution resulted in an average decline in productivity of 25% per year in all ecosystem types in the North China Plain regionOzone pollution led to net primary productivity declines in forest, crops, and grasses, with reductions ranging from 36.7% to 47.1%