Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge AQRV's
Lostwood NWR and Wilderness contains about 4,100 wetlands or prairie potholes created mainly by dead-ice moraine from the Wisconsin glacier. The aquatic resources associated with these areas are air quality related values (AQRVs) that are sensitive to pollutants deposited from the atmosphere, including sulfur and nitrogen compounds. There is concern that some ponds may experience a decrease in pH during spring snowmelt, when large pulses of acidic water enter the ponds. In addition, water resources may be affected by toxic metals and organic pollutants deposited from the atmosphere.
Fauna/Wildlife
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The area provides habitat for many species of waterfowl and water-dependent birds. Birds and other wildlife are air quality related values (AQRVs), that is, they may be affected by air pollution. Air pollution may indirectly affect wildlife by causing habitat degradation. Spring snowmelt may contribute a pulse of acidic water into ponds that could affect invertebrates, an important food supply for birds and other wildlife. In addition, wildlife may be directly affected by atmospheric deposition of pollutants such as mercury and other toxics.
Soils
The susceptibility of Lostwood soils to pollutant deposition has not been investigated, but it is possible that they are sensitive AQRVs.
Vegetation
Several plant species in Lostwood are known to be sensitive to ozone pollution. However, surveys have not been conducted to determine if ozone injury occurs in the area. These sensitive plant species are AQRV's.
- Ozone Sensitive Plant Species on NPS and U.S. FWS Lands
- Ozone Bioindicators on NPS and U.S. FWS Lands
Visibility
Visibility is a sensitive AQRV at Big Bend NP. Monitoring in the park has documented frequent visibility impairment (haze) due to fine particle pollution in the area. Visibility in the area is degrading on both the clearest days and the haziest days.