Native urban trees cannot be ranked using air-pollution tolerance alone
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
Investigators measured tolerance index, pollutant load, oxidative stress and leaf mass in four forest fragments. Of 29 native species, six were classified sensitive, 17 moderate, four tolerant and two site-dependent.
WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ
Planting decisions should distinguish survival in polluted environments from pollutant retention, carbon allocation and site matching.
CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY
Trait classification is observational; reported model accuracy is not independent field evidence of long-term city planting survival.
SOURCE
Restoration Ecology · plant trait study
View original evidence ↗
A São Paulo trait study combines stress, accumulation and leaf structure across 29 tree species.
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