Ecophysiological responses of tree species due to air pollution for biomonitoring of environmental health in urban area

Abstract

For the selection of tolerant species in shelter belt development and sensitive species as bio-indicator of air pollution in a polluted environment, air pollution tolerance index (APTI) is a very important tool. APTI is based on four biochemical parameters of the plants; total chlorophyll content, relative water content, pH of leaf extract and ascorbic acid. Anticipated performance index (API) is based on combining APTI values with other socio-economic and biological parameters. In the present study, eighteen plant species were selected from three different sites of Santiniketan, West Bengal, India and APTI and API were calculated. Anchored in these two indices, the most appropriate plant species were identified and recommended for the development of shelter belt. Two-way ANOVA analysis depicted a significant difference in APTI of all plant species and also among different sites. Among all the plants, it is revealed that Mangifera indica L. is the best performer and Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites, Saraca asoka (Roxb.) Willd., Ficus benghalensis L. are excellent performers. The present study will be helpful to recommend the plant species for shelter belt development in urban industrial areas of tropical countries, with related plant composition, climatic condition and levels of air pollution.