National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Ozone Bio-monitoring Gardens Using students to monitor the effects of ground level ozone on select plant species

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America What is Ozone? Ozone occurs naturally in the atmosphere where it protects our planet from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and us from cancer. Ozone occurs naturally in the atmosphere where it protects our planet from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and us from cancer. Ground level or “bad” ozone is an invisible gas and a poisonous form of oxygen. Ground level or “bad” ozone is an invisible gas and a poisonous form of oxygen. In the Southern Appalachian mountains, 85% of the VOC’s come from natural sources. In the Southern Appalachian mountains, 85% of the VOC’s come from natural sources.

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Sources of Ground Level Ozone Mobile sources are: –33% Diesel –30% SUV –21% cars –13% LD trucks – 3% HD trucks Point44% Mobile32% Nonroad23% Area2%

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Irritates and damages lung tissue Irritates and damages lung tissue Decreases lung function Decreases lung function Threshold of adequate lung function

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America IMPACT OF OZONE ON HEALTH Worsens existing asthma Worsens existing asthma Causes new asthma Causes new asthma Worsens allergy symptoms Worsens allergy symptoms Increases respiratory infection rates Increases respiratory infection rates Increases overall death rates Increases overall death rates

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Green: No health warning Yellow: Very sensitive people may be affected Orange: Limit afternoon exertion if you are a member of a sensitive group Red: Avoid afternoon exertion if you are in a sensitive group; EVERYONE ELSE should limit afternoon exertion Purple: Reduce time and level of exertion even more then red category Source: North Carolina Division of Air Quality (July 2001)

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Changing Ozone Concentrations

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Clean Air Act 1997 version reduced ambient (outside) ozone from 0.12 to 0.8 ppm version reduced ambient (outside) ozone from 0.12 to 0.8 ppm. On the color chart, greater than 0.80 ppm is code orange-- “Ozone Action Day” a day when people should limit outdoor activity, esp. in afternoon On the color chart, greater than 0.80 ppm is code orange-- “Ozone Action Day” a day when people should limit outdoor activity, esp. in afternoon

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America The Issue Great Smoky Mountains NP receives more NOx and SOx then any other monitored site in North America. Great Smoky Mountains NP receives more NOx and SOx then any other monitored site in North America. Average acidity (pH) of rainfall in the park is 4.5, worse in higher elevations. Average acidity (pH) of rainfall in the park is 4.5, worse in higher elevations. Average visibility in summer months is just 9 miles. Average visibility in summer months is just 9 miles.

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Some Research in the Smokies 1988 chamber study 1988 chamber study 2001 to present: ground-level ozone effects study looking at how symptoms effect: 2001 to present: ground-level ozone effects study looking at how symptoms effect: –photosynthesis –respiration –growth Effects on nutritional value for grazers Effects on nutritional value for grazers

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Visible Ozone Effects Discoloration Discoloration In early stages, symptoms are confined to the upper leaf surface. In early stages, symptoms are confined to the upper leaf surface. Symptoms begin with older leaves. Symptoms begin with older leaves. The discoloration is between the veins Uninjured Milkweed Injured Milkweed

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Ozone Bio-monitoring Gardens Two sensitive species may be used to establish gardens Two sensitive species may be used to establish gardens Genetic clones Genetic clones Comparisons made between gardens regarding rate of symptoms Comparisons made between gardens regarding rate of symptoms Crown-beard Verbesina Occidentalis Cut-leaf Coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Garden Data Collection Measure the plant Measure the plant Record total number of leaves. Record total number of leaves. Record whether in bud or flower. Record whether in bud or flower. Estimate the % of visible symptoms on the bottom 8 leaves. Estimate the % of visible symptoms on the bottom 8 leaves. Note any other observations such as insect damage, leaf mold... Note any other observations such as insect damage, leaf mold... Stippling NecrosisChlorosis

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America Garden Locations North Carolina Education Centers Appalachian Highlands Science LC in GRSM Appalachian Highlands Science LC in GRSM Cradle of Forestry in America, Brevard Cradle of Forestry in America, Brevard Pisgah Wildlife Center, Brevard Pisgah Wildlife Center, Brevard WNC Arboretum, Asheville WNC Arboretum, Asheville WNC Nature Center, Asheville WNC Nature Center, Asheville Bullington Center, Hendersonville Bullington Center, Hendersonville Office of Environmental Education, Raleigh Office of Environmental Education, RaleighSchools High Schools – Asheville, TC Roberson, Page (Charlotte), Tuscola, Robbinsville, Hiwasee Dam High Schools – Asheville, TC Roberson, Page (Charlotte), Tuscola, Robbinsville, Hiwasee Dam Elementary/Middle Schools – Clyde, Fairview, Jonathan Valley, Andrews, E. McDowell Jr. Elementary/Middle Schools – Clyde, Fairview, Jonathan Valley, Andrews, E. McDowell Jr.Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Twin Creeks in GRSM Twin Creeks in GRSM Central MS &HS in Monroe County in partnership with Obed Wild & Scenic River Central MS &HS in Monroe County in partnership with Obed Wild & Scenic River South Park Elem., Jackson Christian, Sevier Co. HS South Park Elem., Jackson Christian, Sevier Co. HS Upcoming: Oneida HS in conjunction with Big South Fork NRRA Upcoming: Oneida HS in conjunction with Big South Fork NRRA

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America

National Park Service US Forest Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America