The research for the article, titled “Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report: Present-day tropospheric ozone distribution and trends relevant to vegetation,” was conducted by 24 international researchers, including Dr. Howard Neufeld, a professor in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University. Plant-Damaging Ozone Pollution Highest in East Asia but Declining in North America New study looks at global ozone pollution trends for plants and key crops Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences Ozone pollution can harm rice, wheat, and other crops and plants, and a new global assessment shows plant-damaging ozone levels declining in North America, stable in Europe, and rising significantly in East Asia.