Abstract
Given the rise in the global population and the consequently high levels of pollution, urban green areas, such as those that include plants in the Cupressaceae family, are suitable to reduce the pollution levels, improving the air quality. However, some species with ornamental value are also very allergenic species whose planting should be regulated and their pollen production reduced by suitable pruning. The Aerobiological Index to create Risk maps for Ornamental Trees (AIROT), in its previous version, already included parameters that other indexes did not consider, such as the width of the streets, the height of buildings and the geographical characteristics of cities. It can be considered by working with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data from five urban areas, which were used to create the DEM and DSM (digital elevation and surface models) needed to create one of the parameters. Pollen production is proposed as a parameter (α) based on characteristics and uses in the forms of hedges or trees that will be incorporated into the index. It will allow the comparison of different species for the evaluation of the pruning effect when aerobiological risks are established. The maps for some species of Cupressaceae (Cupressus arizonica, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressocyparis leylandii and Platycladus orientalis) generated in a GIS (geographic information system) from the study of several functions of Kriging, have been used in cities to identify aerobiological risks in areas of tourist and gastronomic interest. Thus, allergy patients can make decisions about the places to visit depending on the levels of risk near those areas. The AIROT index provides valuable information for allergy patients, tourists, urban planning councillors and restaurant owners in order to structure the vegetation, as well as planning tourism according to the surrounding environmental risks and reducing the aerobiological risk of certain areas.
Highlights
The global population and the air pollution are increasing [1], negatively affecting to air quality, especially in densely populated areas [2]
Despite the benefits of urban green spaces, ornamental plants can produce some negative effects on ecosystems, such as problems related to invasive plants [8] and the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds involved in ozone formation, which can increase smog problems [9]
With the inclusion of this parameter, it is possible to use AIROT for estimating the associated risk of exposure to the Cupressaceae pollen from the species studied in this study and to compare the regular fluctuations in this risk along the year associated to different species within the same pollen type
Summary
The global population and the air pollution are increasing [1], negatively affecting to air quality, especially in densely populated areas [2]. Urban forests and green spaces in cities are indispensable for urban sustainability [3] due to their role in mitigating polluting particles [4] and reducing temperatures in urban areas [5]. These spaces satisfy other important immaterial and non-consumptive human needs, such as fostering positive feelings and helping urban communities articulate their commonly shared values [6,7]. The pollen emission from allergenic plants during the pollination period affects human health, increasing the incidence of respiratory allergies, allergic rhinitis and asthma [10,11]. To try to reduce the problems caused by cypresses, there is a need to carry out information campaigns aimed at the public and local authorities on the importance of cypress pruning [21], suitable planning in the selection of species to achieve healthy urban forests [22] and adequate maintenance of green areas to reduce allergenicity [23]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
