The chapter considers the harm that air pollution causes to ecosystems, beginning with the ecological risk framework.
Air pollutants can damage both ecosystem function and ecosystem structure.
Examples are provided for estimating air pollution-related changes to biodiversity.
Sensitive ecosystems are discussed, including coral reefs and rain forests.
Regional and larger scale ecosystem damage is also considered, including acid rain and smog,
as well as incremental changes to habitat,
e.g. biome shifts that could result from increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.