Evaluation of the Importance of Some East Asian Tree Species for Refinement of Air Quality by Estimating Air Pollution Tolerance Index, Anticipated Performance Index, and Air Pollutant Uptake

Abstract

Potentials of tree species as biofilters depend on appropriate selection based on their tolerance to air pollution, which is usually evaluated by the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API). Thus, these index values need as a means of scientific understanding to assess the role of urban trees for better greenspace planning/management to mitigate impacts of gaseous air pollution such as ozone (O3) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). O3 exposure to Chionanthus retusus, Pinus densiflora, and Ginkgo biloba showed higher stomatal O3 flux than the others, finally resulting in both favoring stomatal movement and maintaining carbon fixation. In contrast, despite the whole tree enhanced SO2 uptake under excess SO2 exposure, the carbon assimilation capacity was only found in Taxus cuspidata and Zelkova serrata as a consequence of no stomatal sluggishness. On the basis of API, P. densiflora and Prunus × yedoensis were good performers for developing greenspace, while Z. serrata and G. biloba were moderate performers; however, C. retusus and T. cuspidata were estimated to be poor and very poor performers, respectively, for reducing the air quality injury caused by air pollutants. The present study suggests that an integration of both APTI and API based on stomatal absorption flux is needed for selecting sound tree-species in greenspace planning/construction to control gaseous air pollutions.

Biochemical indicators of woody plants in the diagnosis of air condition

“…The universal protective properties of dendroflora in response to abiotic and technogenic factors include the activation of biochemical multifunctional antioxidant protection in the form of amino acids, their enzymes (proline, glutathione, peroxidase and others), an increase in the content of water-soluble (C, B1-B12 and others) and fat-soluble (E, D, A) vitamins, macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), sugar dynamics [5][6][7]. Foreign authors, combining biochemical, morphological, anatomical, and physiological indicators of trees, use the air pollution tolerance index for the comparative characteristics of species, indirect assessment of the air condition, comparative diagnostic measures [7][8][9]. The different tolerance of woody plants to general air pollution in urbanized landscapes allows not only the effective bioindication, but also using the eco-physiological reactions of species individuals in the design of protective green spaces, which determine the absorptive capacity of urban forests and the health of city dwellers [10][11][12].…”

Assessment of Tolerance of Some Tree Species to Air Contamination Using Air Pollution Tolerance and Anticipated Performance Indices in Isfahan City, Iran

“…oday primary and secondary air pollutants are a serious threat in almost all urban areas and have a detrimental effect on living organisms, ecosystem health, air quality, plant vitality, and environment [1]. Air pollutants are emitted to the ambient air by natural and anthropogenic origin [2].…”

“…These indices are Relative Water Content (RWC), total chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH, and ascorbic acid (biochemical parameters), Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI), and Anticipated Performance Index (API) (as multi-parameter indices). This study is necessary for the selection of suitable plants and categorizing them as being tolerant or sensitive to air pollution and the development of a greenspace [1,7].…”

“…They provide broad surface area for trapping and accumulation of airborne pollutants such as gases, organic, inorganic, and particulate matter [3,17]. Thus, air pollution removal by trees is suggested as a suitable and eco-friendly tool, particularly in polluted urban environments [1,18]. The experimental evidence showed that the response, ability, and resistance of plants to air pollutants are very different from one species to another.…”

Study on Spatial and Seasonal Variation in APTI of Tree Species along Roads of Shivalik Foothills in Himachal Pradesh

“…In global urbanised areas, air pollution removal via trees is acknowledged as an economically viable component of pollution reduction strategies (Nowak et al, 2006;Yang et al, 2008;Morani et al, 2011;Yadav and Pandey, 2020). The APTI is a reliable tool for measuring tree species sensitivity as biofilter performance for managing ambient air quality (Kwak et al, 2020) whereas, the Anticipated Performance Index (API) score has been developed to assess the suitability of the plant species to combat air pollution using APTI with some other biological and socio-economic parameters. (Govindaraju et al, 2012).…”