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Urban Forests: Sinks or Sources of Air Pollution and Climate...
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Urban Forests: Sinks or Sources of Air Pollution and Climate Change—a Special Issue in Collaboration with the Air Pollution Threats to Plant Ecosystems Conference

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Meteorology and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2022) | Viewed by 14197

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Valda Araminiene

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Kėdainiai, Lithuania
Interests: climate change impact on forest ecosystems; forest monitoring; air pollution effect on plants; insects; air pollution and urban vegetation; tropospheric ozone biomonitoring
Dr. Marisa Domingos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Botany, São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: impacts of climate change and air pollutants (mainly ozone, nitrogen oxides and heavy metals) on fragmented forest ecosystems; air pollution effects on plants; ozone and heavy metal biomonitoring
Dr. Pierre Sicard

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ARGANS, Sophia Antipolis, France
Interests: air pollution and climate change impacts on forests ecosystems to reduce the risk for plant ecosystems, by using integrated assessment modelling; deposition model; epidemiological studies; and statistical and multivariate analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban environments that are stressful for plant function and growth will become increasingly widespread in the future. Cities have to cope with rising poor air quality (e.g., ozone, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide) impacting human health, quality of life, citizens’ well-being and the ecosystem services provided by urban forests. A logical way to improve air quality is reducing air pollutant emissions, but it has been suggested that green urban infrastructure, especially trees, could also be used to clean polluted urban air. Greening and re‐naturing cities are keywords of the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy. Green infrastructure, such as trees, shrubs and green roofs, can improve air quality by removing air pollutants, but the same time can enhance air pollution by, for example, increased emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds. Analyzing plant responses to urban conditions represents an important opportunity to gain an insight into immediate physiological responses, tolerance of plants and the extent and mechanisms of short- and long-term plant adaptations often simulating climate change conditions.

Municipalities and city planners need a quantitative and concrete assessment of the role of urban vegetation in affecting air quality at the city scale as well as a suitable selection of tree species and guidelines for tree planting and maintenance strategy to maximize air quality and minimize disservices. Urban vegetation, as a cost-effective and nature-based approach, aids in meeting clean air standards and should be taken into account by policymakers.

The Special Issue includes presentations focusing on the effects of the main urban pollutants on plants as well as estimations of the mitigation potential of urban plants in urban and peri-urban environments. This Special Issue will include peer reviewed papers presented at the International Conference “Air Pollution Threats to Plant Ecosystems” (17-21 May 2021, Paphos, Cyprus) as well as excellent contributions from those who did not have the opportunity to attend the conference.

Dr. Valda Araminiene
Dr. Marisa Domingos
Dr. Pierre Sicard
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • air pollution
  • climate change
  • ecosystems
  • green infrastructure
  • nature-based solutions
  • risk assessment
  • urban green
  • urban forests
  • ozone
  • plant response

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3245 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Different Environmental Conditions during Vegetative Propagation on Growth, Survival, and Biochemical Characteristics in Populus Hybrids in Clonal Field Trial
by Valda Gudynaitė-Franckevičienė and Alfas Pliūra
Forests 2021, 12(7), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12070892 - 8 Jul 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2940
Abstract
To have a cleaner environment, good well-being, and improve the health of citizens it is necessary to expand green urban and suburban areas using productive and adapted material of tree species. The quality of urban greenery, resistance to negative climate change factors and [...] Read more.
To have a cleaner environment, good well-being, and improve the health of citizens it is necessary to expand green urban and suburban areas using productive and adapted material of tree species. The quality of urban greenery, resistance to negative climate change factors and pollution, as well as efficiency of short-rotation forestry in suburban areas, depends primarily on the selection of hybrids and clones, suitable for the local environmental conditions. We postulate that ecogenetic response, phenotypic plasticity, and genotypic variation of hybrid poplars (Populus L.) grown in plantations are affected not only by the peculiarities of hybrids and clones, but also by environmental conditions of their vegetative propagation. The aim of the present study was to estimate growth and biochemical responses, the phenotypic plasticity, genotypic variation of adaptive traits, and genetically regulated adaptability of Populus hybrids in field trials which may be predisposed by the simulated contrasting temperature conditions at their vegetative propagation phase. The research was performed with the 20 cultivars and experimental clones of one intraspecific cross and four different interspecific hybrids of poplars propagated under six contrasting temperature regimes in phytotron. The results suggest that certain environmental conditions during vegetative propagation not only have a short-term effect on tree viability and growth, but also can help to adapt to climate change conditions and grow successfully in the long-term. It was found that tree growth and biochemical traits (the chlorophyll A and B, pigments content and the chlorophyll A/B ratio) of hybrid poplar clones grown in field trials, as well as their traits’ genetic parameters, were affected by the rooting-growing conditions during vegetative propagation phase. Hybrids P. balsamifera × P. trichocarpa, and P. trichocarpa × P. trichocarpa have shown the most substantial changes of biochemical traits across vegetative propagation treatments in field trial. Rooting-growing conditions during vegetative propagation had also an impact on coefficients of genotypic variation and heritability in hybrid poplar clones when grown in field trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forests: Sinks or Sources of Air Pollution and Climate Change—a Special Issue in Collaboration with the Air Pollution Threats to Plant Ecosystems Conference)
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14 pages, 4400 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Particulate Matter Concentration Intercepted by Trees of a Latin-American Megacity
by Carlos Zafra-Mejía, Joaquín Suárez-López and Hugo Rondón-Quintana
Forests 2021, 12(6), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12060723 - 1 Jun 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2449
Abstract
Urban areas with trees provide several ecosystem services to citizens. There is a growing interest in ecosystem services for the removal of air pollutants such as particulate matter. The objective of this paper is to show a study on the variation of intercepted [...] Read more.
Urban areas with trees provide several ecosystem services to citizens. There is a growing interest in ecosystem services for the removal of air pollutants such as particulate matter. The objective of this paper is to show a study on the variation of intercepted particulate matter concentration (IPMC) by tree leaves in the megacity of Bogotá (Colombia). The relationship between IPMC and PM2.5 concentrations observed in air quality stations in two urban zones with different air pollutions was studied. Influences of climate and leaf morphology variables on IPMC were also analyzed. The species under study were Ligustrum-lucidum, Eucalyptus-ficifolia, Tecoma-stans, Callistemon-citrinus, Lafoensia-acuminata, and Quercus-humboldtii. The results showed that leaf IPMC decreased as the PM2.5 concentration increased. Species that best described this trend were Ligustrum-lucidum and Lafoensia-acuminata. These two species also showed the largest IPMC in their leaves. Indeed, species that showed the largest leaf area were those with the highest IPMC. On average, it was observed that for each 5.0 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration the IPMCs of the species Ligustrum-lucidum and Lafoensia-acuminata decreased by 33.6% and 23.1%, respectively. When wind speed increased, there was also an increase in PM2.5 concentrations and a reduction in the leaf IPMCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forests: Sinks or Sources of Air Pollution and Climate Change—a Special Issue in Collaboration with the Air Pollution Threats to Plant Ecosystems Conference)
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17 pages, 17252 KiB  
Article
Particulate Matter Removal Ability of Ten Evergreen Trees Planted in Korea Urban Greening
by Eon Ju Jin, Jun Hyuck Yoon, Eun Ji Bae, Byoung Ryong Jeong, Seong Hyeon Yong and Myung Suk Choi
Forests 2021, 12(4), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12040438 - 5 Apr 2021
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4501
Abstract
Broad-leaved evergreen trees create urban forests for mitigation of climate warming and adsorption of particulate matter (PM). This study was performed to identify the species suitable for urban greening by examining the adsorption capacity of the evergreen species in urban areas in Korea, [...] Read more.
Broad-leaved evergreen trees create urban forests for mitigation of climate warming and adsorption of particulate matter (PM). This study was performed to identify the species suitable for urban greening by examining the adsorption capacity of the evergreen species in urban areas in Korea, the adsorption points and the elemental composition of PM in the adsorbed tree. Leaf sampling was carried out four times (period of seven months from October 2017 to May 2018) and used after drying (period 28 to 37 days). Particulate matter (PM) was classified and measured according to size PM2.5 (0.2–2.5 μm), PM10 (2.5–10 μm), PM100 (10–100 μm). The total amount of PM adsorbed on the leaf surface was highest in Pinus densiflora (24.6 μg∙cm−2), followed by Quercus salicina (47.4 μg∙cm−2). The composition of PM adsorbed by P. densiflora is 4.0% PM2.5, 39.5% PM10 and 56.5% PM100, while those adsorbed by Q. salicina are evergreen at 25.7% PM2.5, 27.4% PM10 and 46.9% PM100. When the amount of PM adsorbed on the leaf was calculated by LAI, the species that adsorbed PM the most was P. densiflora, followed by Q. salicina, followed by Q. salicina in the wax layer, then P. densiflora. As a result of this study, the amount of PM adsorbed per unit area of leaves, and the amount of PM calculated by LAI, showed a simpler pattern. The hardwoods had a high adsorption rate of PM2.5. The adsorption ratio of ultra-fine PM2.5 by evergreen broad-leaved trees was greater than that of coniferous trees. Therefore, broad-leaved evergreens such as Q. salicina are considered very suitable as species for adsorbing PM in the city. PM2.5 has been shown to be adsorbed through the pores and leaves of trees, indicating that the plant plays an important role in alleviating PM in the atmosphere. As a result of analyzing the elemental components of PM accumulated on leaf leaves by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/ energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) analysis, it was composed of O, C, Si, and N, and was found to be mainly generated by human activities around the road. The results of this study provide basic data regarding the selection of evergreen species that can effectively remove aerial PM. It also highlights the importance of evergreen plants for managing PM pollution during the winter and provides insights into planning additional green infrastructure to improve urban air quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forests: Sinks or Sources of Air Pollution and Climate Change—a Special Issue in Collaboration with the Air Pollution Threats to Plant Ecosystems Conference)
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12 pages, 2775 KiB  
Article
The Wood Quality of Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) Trees in an Urban Area: A Pilot Study
by Benas Šilinskas, Aistė Povilaitienė, Gintautas Urbaitis, Marius Aleinikovas and Iveta Varnagirytė-Kabašinskienė
Forests 2021, 12(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12040420 - 1 Apr 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2989
Abstract
This study performed a pilot evaluation of the wood quality—defined by a single parameter: dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEdyn, N mm−2)—of small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) trees in urban areas. A search of the literature revealed few studies which examined [...] Read more.
This study performed a pilot evaluation of the wood quality—defined by a single parameter: dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEdyn, N mm−2)—of small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) trees in urban areas. A search of the literature revealed few studies which examined the specifics of tree wood development in urban areas. Little is known about the potential of wood from urban trees wood of their suitability for the timber industry. In this study, an acoustic velocity measuring system was used for wood quality assessment of small-leaved lime trees. The MOEdyn parameter was evaluated for small-leaved lime trees growing in two urban locations (along the streets, and in an urban park), with an additional sample of forest sites taken as the control. MOEdyn was also assessed for small-leaved lime trees visually assigned to different health classes. The obtained mean values of MOEdyn of 90–120-year old small-leaved lime trees in urban areas ranged between 2492.2 and 2715.8 N mm−2. For younger trees, the values of MOEdyn were lower in the urban areas than in the forest site. Otherwise, the results of the study showed that the small-leaved lime wood samples were of relatively good quality, even if the tree was classified as moderately damaged (which could cause a potential risk to the community). Two alternatives for urban tree management can be envisaged: (1) old trees could be left to grow to maintain the sustainability of an urban area until their natural death, or (2) the wood from selected moderately damaged trees could be used to create wood products, ensuring long-term carbon retention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forests: Sinks or Sources of Air Pollution and Climate Change—a Special Issue in Collaboration with the Air Pollution Threats to Plant Ecosystems Conference)
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