Effects of Urban Vegetation on Urban Air Quality

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

Leung, Dennis Y. C.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Tsui, Jeanie K. Y.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Chen, Feng

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Yip, Wing-Kin

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Vrijmoed, Lilian L. P.

Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Liu, Chun-Ho

Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Description :
Vegetation has been well recognized for its ability in improving air quality and alleviating global warming. Tree planting has been used to mitigate urban heat island phenomena, sequester carbon dioxide, and help to trap air pollutants on leaves. Because some plant species emit biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), planting of some cultivars increase ozone and particulate matter ambient concentration and hence deteriorate air quality. Moreover, pollen grains and fungal spores from plants are health hazards for allergic or other sensitive members of the population. This paper reviews benefits and limited hazards of urban vegetation on air quality, highlighting useful computer simulations for predicting some of the interaction between urban forestry and the ambient atmosphere. To maximize the beneficial environmental effects of urban forestry, careful design, planning, and cost-benefit analysis would be required.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Landscape research (Online), issn : 1469-9710, 2011, vol. 36, n°. 2, p. 173-188, nombre de pages : 16

Date :
2011

Identifiants :
doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2010.547570

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Abingdon, Taylor and Francis

Langue :
Anglais