372
E. M. Koriesh and I. H. Abo-Soud
as an effective method [114]. A plants’ ability to remove atmospheric particulates
mainly relies on its leaf function, and leaf structure, such as leaf surface texture, hair,
grease, and moisture, along with other beneficial features for atmospheric particles
absorption, and a huge leaf area supported by a complex stem structure can fix a lot
of atmospheric particles.
Unfortunately, the atmospheric particles can crimp stomas and reduce the chlorophyll content of leaves so that gas exchange action is blocked and photosynthesis
is decreased [115]. Therefore, analyzing plant stagnation differences with respect to
atmospheric particulates in different contaminated areas by the use of plant leaves it
is a good method.
The adsorption capacities for airborne particulates of different tree species display
differences because the different tree species have different crown profiles, branches
and leaves ratios and leaf surface characteristics (including waxiness, epidermis,
stomata’s and pubescence length, etc.).
In England, Freer-Smith et al. [116] studied the adsorption capacities for particulates of five coniferous and broadleaved species in England, and the results showed
that the adsorption capacity for particulates of Pinus tabuliformis is the highest, that
of Sorbus aria is the second highest and that of Populus deltoides is the lowest.
Urban landscape plants are an important component of the urban ecosystem,
playing a significant role in the adsorption of airborne particulates and air purification.
In a study carried at China Zhang et al. [117] on six common landscape plants in
Beijing as research subjects, and the adsorption capacities for each different plant leaf
and the effects of the leaf structures for the adsorption capacities for particulates.
Preliminary results show that needle-leaved tree species adsorbed more airborne
particulates than broad-leaved tree species for the same leaf area. Pinus tabuliformis
exhibits the highest adsorption capacity, at 3.89 ± 0.026 μg cm
−2 of PM 10 , almost two
times as much as that of Populus tomentosa (2.00 ± 0.118 μg cm
−2 ) as compared with
same tree species leaves in the Botanical Garden. They added that there are significant
adaptive changes to the leaf structures, and when compared with the slightly polluted
region. In the seriously polluted region the epidermis cells of the plant leave shrinked,
the surface textures of the leaves became rougher, and the stomas’ frequency and the
pubescence length increased.
10 Importance of Urban Landscape Plants Especially Trees
for Climate Change
10.1 How Do Trees and Forests Relate to Climate Change?
Deforestation, particularly the damage of rainforests, is a vastly significant contributor to climate change. Scientists estimate that forest injury and other changes to the
use of the land account for around 23% of current man-made CO 2 emissions—which
E. M. Koriesh and I. H. Abo-Soud
as an effective method [114]. A plants’ ability to remove atmospheric particulates
mainly relies on its leaf function, and leaf structure, such as leaf surface texture, hair,
grease, and moisture, along with other beneficial features for atmospheric particles
absorption, and a huge leaf area supported by a complex stem structure can fix a lot
of atmospheric particles.
Unfortunately, the atmospheric particles can crimp stomas and reduce the chlorophyll content of leaves so that gas exchange action is blocked and photosynthesis
is decreased [115]. Therefore, analyzing plant stagnation differences with respect to
atmospheric particulates in different contaminated areas by the use of plant leaves it
is a good method.
The adsorption capacities for airborne particulates of different tree species display
differences because the different tree species have different crown profiles, branches
and leaves ratios and leaf surface characteristics (including waxiness, epidermis,
stomata’s and pubescence length, etc.).
In England, Freer-Smith et al. [116] studied the adsorption capacities for particulates of five coniferous and broadleaved species in England, and the results showed
that the adsorption capacity for particulates of Pinus tabuliformis is the highest, that
of Sorbus aria is the second highest and that of Populus deltoides is the lowest.
Urban landscape plants are an important component of the urban ecosystem,
playing a significant role in the adsorption of airborne particulates and air purification.
In a study carried at China Zhang et al. [117] on six common landscape plants in
Beijing as research subjects, and the adsorption capacities for each different plant leaf
and the effects of the leaf structures for the adsorption capacities for particulates.
Preliminary results show that needle-leaved tree species adsorbed more airborne
particulates than broad-leaved tree species for the same leaf area. Pinus tabuliformis
exhibits the highest adsorption capacity, at 3.89 ± 0.026 μg cm
−2 of PM 10 , almost two
times as much as that of Populus tomentosa (2.00 ± 0.118 μg cm
−2 ) as compared with
same tree species leaves in the Botanical Garden. They added that there are significant
adaptive changes to the leaf structures, and when compared with the slightly polluted
region. In the seriously polluted region the epidermis cells of the plant leave shrinked,
the surface textures of the leaves became rougher, and the stomas’ frequency and the
pubescence length increased.
10 Importance of Urban Landscape Plants Especially Trees
for Climate Change
10.1 How Do Trees and Forests Relate to Climate Change?
Deforestation, particularly the damage of rainforests, is a vastly significant contributor to climate change. Scientists estimate that forest injury and other changes to the
use of the land account for around 23% of current man-made CO 2 emissions—which
