Effect of traffic-induced air pollution on seed germination of Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica Green) and Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arnold)
•Air pollution affects negatively the seed germination characteristics of Pinus nigra and Cupressus arizonica.•P. nigra and C. arizonica were able to show the effect of air pollution, and both species can serve as a good biomarker.•1000-seed weight and germination rate high affected by traffic inten...
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| Published in: | Urban forestry & urban greening Vol. 55; p. 126841 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier GmbH
01-11-2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | •Air pollution affects negatively the seed germination characteristics of Pinus nigra and Cupressus arizonica.•P. nigra and C. arizonica were able to show the effect of air pollution, and both species can serve as a good biomarker.•1000-seed weight and germination rate high affected by traffic intensity than the other investigated germination variables.•Contamination rate at the intersection center and up to 40 m is so high that the seed production process is affected.
In this study, the effect of air pollution due to different traffic congestion of intersections and distance from intersection center on seed germination characteristics of Cupressus arizonica and Pinus nigra were studied in Urmia, Iran. At first, all intersections were classified into three classes of low, moderate and high traffic congestion using Urmia Traffic and Transport Organization report, and then 3 intersections were randomly selected from each class. Seed cones of C. arizonica and P. nigra that commonly planted in the boulevards leading to these intersections were collected at distances 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 m from the intersection center. The results showed that 1000 seed weight, germination rate (%), mean time to germination, Kotowski velocity coefficient, and maximum mean daily germination (peak value) of P. nigra seeds and only 1000 seed weight and seed germination rate (%) of C. arizonica significantly decreased with increasing traffic congestion. With increasing distance from intersection center, 1000 seed weight, seed germination rate (%) and mean time to germination of P. nigra in moderate traffic areas increased significantly. While, 1000 seed weight and seed germination rate (%) of C. arizonica in high and moderate traffic areas respectively followed the same circumstance. In general, both species were able to show the effect of air pollution as a bio-indicator, although, it seems that C. arizonica probably is more resistant to contaminants than P. nigra. |
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| ISSN: | 1618-8667 1610-8167 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126841 |