Why is acid rain harmful?

In order to survive and flourish, animals and plants must evolve and adapt to specific ecological niches, which may include elements such as pH or acidic/basic conditions, moisture content, temperature, and chemicals.

However, the organisms struggle to survive, reproduce, and pass on their genes to the next generation when one or more of these variables start to change quickly (for example, the pH from acid rain or global climate change). Their numbers will likely drop, and if they can't adapt quickly enough, they may face extinction.

Therefore, a deer in an acidifying forest, for instance, might be able to relocate to a more virgin forest where acid rain has no effect. However, a fish in a small lake, or worse, a pine tree without legs, would not be able to adjust to acid rain and would most likely die.

Acid rain is harmful because it can damage ecosystems, harm aquatic life, erode buildings and monuments, and contribute to respiratory problems in humans.