Which one of the following is most affected by acid rain?

Prepare for the NEHA Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Excel in your exam!

The most affected by acid rain are conifer forests at high elevations. Acid rain, which results from the atmospheric deposition of sulfuric and nitric acids, has a significant impact on forest ecosystems, particularly those in areas with sensitive soil and water chemistry. Coniferous trees, such as spruces and firs, are often found in these high-elevation regions where the phenomenon of acid rain can lead to soil acidification, nutrient leaching, and direct damage to foliage.

High-elevation forests tend to have poorer soil buffering capacity, making them more vulnerable to changes in pH caused by acid deposition. Additionally, conifers are less resilient to stress factors such as reduced nutrient availability and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases caused by the physiological impairment of the trees.

In contrast, while other plants like yucca cacti, apple trees, and juniper trees may experience negative effects from pollutants, they often have adaptations or grow in environments that buffer them against the impacts of acid rain. For example, yucca thrives in arid conditions that are less affected by the same processes that make acid rain detrimental in forested areas, and many fruit trees and shrubs can adapt to variations in their growing conditions. Hence, conifer forests at high elevations experience the

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