Impact of environmental nutrient loading on the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems

Wet and dry depositions of essential elements (e.g. N, P, S) in different t errestrial ecosystems have been rapidly increasing in recent years due to p erturbations of biogeochemical cycles of these elements by different anthro pogenic activities. It is expected that the increased deposition of these e lements over a period of time will have dramatic effects on natural and mod ified terrestrial ecosystems. An important task ahead is to understand the early signs and predict the impact of nutrient loading on the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. In this review we discuss the emerg ing trends of possible nutrient loading effects on terrestrial ecosystem co mponents and processes, and suggest major research objectives.