Detect urban trees air pollution sensitivity & tolerance by leaf trait analysis in the industrial zone of Kumaun Himalaya Uttarakhand India

Abstract

The plant absorbs gases and particulate matter through its leaves and contributes to cleaning the atmospheric pollutants. Sensitive plant species act as bioindicators of air pollution, while tolerant species are sinks of air pollutants. However, in ecologically sensitive regions like the Himalayas, there are no guiding rules for the selection of roadside plants for urban development due to a lack of scientific research. To address this, this study aimed to identify roadside plant species sensitivity and tolerance to air pollution near the industrial hub Rudrapur located in Kumaun Himalaya using the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). The APTI is used as a tool for evaluating and categorizing plants according to their levels of tolerance or sensitivity to air pollutants. In this study, the APTI of five plant species has been measured. A One-Way ANOVA was conducted to assess variations in biochemical parameters of five chosen roadside plant species situated at two distinct sites. Mangifera indica and Nerium species were recorded with high APTI values, indicating their tolerance to air pollution. However, the Eucalyptus species was identified as the most sensitive species with low APTI. Selecting suitable tree species to combat air pollution can improve the urban environment.