Spatial attenuation of ambient particulate matter air pollution within an urbanised native forest patch

Removal of PM10 by Forests as a Nature-Based Solution for Air Quality Improvement in the Metropolitan City of Rome

“…Nevertheless, the Castelporziano study case allowed us to more accurately define the varying removal capacity of the three functional groups in a territory characterized by relatively homogeneous environmental conditions. If we consider the total removal values of the three functional groups in the Castelporziano study case, what emerges is the importance for PM 10 abatement of evergreen species, as also showed in an experimental study performed in an evergreen broadleaved urban forest [49]. Indeed, we observed that the total annual PM 10 removal efficiency of evergreen species (evergreen broadleaves and conifers) is 20% to 27% higher than that of deciduous broadleaves on an annual scale.…”

“…This suggests that evergreen communities have a greater impact on air quality amelioration on a year-long basis. Furthermore, since PM 10 pollution levels usually rise in winter [49][50][51], we presume that increasing evergreen species cover in highly polluted areas would, given the ability of such species to abate pollutant levels throughout the year, help to prevent or mitigate pollution peaks. It is noteworthy that although the estimated mean PM 10 air concentrations in the MC of Rome are not markedly different from those in the Castelporziano Presidential Estate, the latter yielded higher removal rates for all the functional groups considered.…”

Tree and forest effects on air quality and human health in the United States

“…Under stable atmospheric conditions (limited mixing), tree removal could lead to greater reductions in pollution concentrations at the ground level by limiting mixing with air pollutants above the canopy. Large stands of trees can also reduce pollutant concentrations in the interior of the stand due to increased distance from emission sources and increased dry deposition (e.g., Dasch, 1987;Cavanagh et al, 2009). Thus, localscale design of trees and forests can affect local-scale pollutant concentrations.…”

Urban and Peri-Urban Tree Cover in European Cities: Current Distribution and Future Vulnerability Under Climate Change Scenarios

“…There is a wide interest in urban greening because urban greening and peri-urban forests have a strong positive effect on the physical environment of urban areas and in people life quality. Urban greening comprises recreational and social value (Tarrant & Cordell, 2002), affect the economic value of housing (Kong et al, 2007), preserves biodiversity and wildlife corridors between urban and non-urban habitat islands (Blair, 1996;Zipper et al, 1997), reduces noise (Fang & Ling, 2003), sequester CO 2 and produce O 2 (McHale et al, 2007;Nowak & Crane, 2002;Nowak et al, 2007), reduces air pollution (Cavanagh et al, 2009;Escobedo & Nowak, 2009;McDonald et al, 2007;Yang et al, 2005), regulates the micro-climate and reduces effects of heat island in cities (Akbari et al, 2001;Shin & Lee, 2005). Due to climate change, a degradation of air quality is expected to occurs predominantly in urban-industrial areas as well as an urban climate warming (McCarthy et al, 2010).…”