Concluding remarks

Abstract
The topic of this Discussion stands at the meeting point of several strands of inquiry and concern. Recent years have seen deepening interest in biogeochemical cycles, especially of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur, and their modification by man, and this has been the subject of several reports by SCOPE. The effects on physical and biological targets of the perturbations we call pollution have received increasing attention. In our present theme these two areas of research come together and influence social responses to phenomena that have aroused deep public concern. Our aim has been to evaluate scientific understanding of the ecological effects of deposited sulphur and nitrogen compounds, not to propose Governmental or industrial policies. But the continuing evolution of such policies needs to be based on the most critical possible evaluation of the scientific facts. Without this, false conclusions could all too easily lead to actions wasteful of resources and unhelpful to the environment.

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