Evaluating the pollution tolerance potential of commonly grown tree species in the urban megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Keywords:
Urban vegetation, biochemical parameters, leaf dust, tolerance index, Pollution stressAbstract
Rapid urbanization and traffic-related emissions pose important challenges for vegetation in tropical megacities. This study evaluated variation in leaf-surface dust accumulation and selected physiological and biochemical traits of ten commonly grown tree species sampled from a reference site and a traffic-exposed urban site in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Leaf dust deposition, leaf extract pH, total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid content (AAC), relative water content (RWC), and the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) were quantified and compared using two-way analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and correlation analysis. Two-way ANOVA revealed that dust deposition was significantly higher at polluted sites, with Ficus benghalensis exhibiting exceptionally more dust accumulation, indicating high surface dust retention capacity. Most species showed significant reductions in chlorophyll content and leaf pH under polluted conditions, reflecting impaired photosynthetic integrity and tissue acidification. In contrast, tolerant species maintained higher AAC and RWC, suggesting effective antioxidative defense and water regulation under pollution stress. APTI values revealed pronounced interspecific variability, identifying Polyalthia longifolia and Mimusops elengi as highly tolerant, while Terminalia catappa and Swietenia mahagoni were the most sensitive species. Principal component and correlation analyses demonstrated a pollution-induced reorganization of trait relationships, with tolerance at polluted sites governed primarily by antioxidative capacity and water status. Overall, the findings demonstrate substantial species-specific variation in leaf traits and APTI under contrasting urban exposure conditions. The results provide a basis for further evaluation of tree species for urban planting and biomonitoring, while direct measurements of ambient pollutants and replicated sites are needed to establish pollutant-specific responses and broader ecological applicability.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Md. Abul Kashem, Mohammad Ataur Rahman, Tasfia Tabassum, Mohammad Zabed Hossain (Author)
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