Quick Scoop: What Is Ozone and How It Affects Ecosystems

Ozone is a form of oxygen made of three oxygen atoms, and its effects depend on where it is in the atmosphere. High in the atmosphere, it helps protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation; near the ground, it becomes a pollutant that can damage plants, animals, and entire ecosystems.

What ozone is

There are two main forms people usually mean when they say “ozone”:

• Stratospheric ozone : the “good” ozone layer high above Earth that blocks UV rays.

• Ground-level ozone : the “bad” ozone found in polluted air, formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants from cars, industry, and other sources.

How it affects ecosystems

Ground-level ozone harms ecosystems mainly by injuring plant leaves and reducing photosynthesis, which slows growth and lowers crop yields. It also makes plants more vulnerable to drought, pests, and disease, which can weaken forests and grasslands over time.

Main ecosystem impacts

• Plants and crops: reduced growth, damaged foliage, and lower harvests for foods like wheat, corn, and soybeans.

• Forests: slower tree growth, weaker seedlings, and greater stress from heat, insects, and disease.

• Soil life: changes in roots, fungi, microbes, and nutrient cycling beneath the ground.

• Pollinators and wildlife: ozone can alter plant scents and leaf quality, which affects insects and animals that depend on them.

• Biodiversity: it can shift which plant species survive best, changing community structure and reducing diversity.

Why it matters

Because ozone can affect the whole chain from plants to soil organisms to animals, it is not just an air-quality issue; it is an ecosystem issue. Scientists also note that its harm may increase as temperatures rise, since warmer conditions can worsen ground-level ozone pollution.

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