Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is one of the most urgent urban environment problems in the world today. The urban ecosystem has been identified as a potentially promising solution to reduce the airborne PM based on the ability of plants to retain PM. Numerous studies have been conducted to explore...

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Main Authors: Wenkai Xue, Yongjun Lin, Zhengqi Sun, Yuchong Long, Dele Chen, Shan Yin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Atmosphere
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/2/170
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author Wenkai Xue
Yongjun Lin
Zhengqi Sun
Yuchong Long
Dele Chen
Shan Yin
author_facet Wenkai Xue
Yongjun Lin
Zhengqi Sun
Yuchong Long
Dele Chen
Shan Yin
author_sort Wenkai Xue
collection DOAJ
description Airborne particulate matter (PM) is one of the most urgent urban environment problems in the world today. The urban ecosystem has been identified as a potentially promising solution to reduce the airborne PM based on the ability of plants to retain PM. Numerous studies have been conducted to explore the process and mechanism of atmospheric PM retention by plant leaves in the past. In this study, in order to better summarize previous research, particularly the impact of leaf traits on PM retention, and to provide guidance for the selection of tree species for nature-based urban PM solutions, a systematic review was carried out using the method recommended in the PRISMA, and a total of 49 articles were selected. It was found that: 1. Asian countries contribute the majority of the proportion (32, 65%). Following behind are European countries (13, 26.5%). The American countries contribute two cases. 2. Among all the tree species, <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> (16), <i>Euonymus japonicus</i> (11), <i>Magnolia denudate</i> (9), <i>Styphnolobium japonicum</i> (9), <i>Magnolia grandiflora</i> (8), and <i>Prunus cerasifera</i> (8) emerged as hot species in research. 3. Leaf area and shape emerged as the two most frequently discussed macro-indicators, while roughness, hairiness, and stomatal characteristics were the top three micro-indicators explored. 4. Roughness and stomata, respectively, play crucial roles in capturing larger PM particles and retaining fine and ultrafine PM through their recessed structures. Trichomes decrease the likelihood of particle resuspension and boosts the efficiency of PM retention. 5. Leaves with high rigidity and complex multi-faceted leaf shapes are typically presumed to exhibit higher PM retention efficiency for higher edge effects and increased interleaf turbulence. Furthermore, with rigidity and edge effects ensured, a larger leaf area is beneficial for retaining PM.
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spelling doaj-art-dd955ae72bbf48209bec63874baf5f462025-08-20T03:12:05ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-02-0116217010.3390/atmos16020170Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic ReviewWenkai Xue0Yongjun Lin1Zhengqi Sun2Yuchong Long3Dele Chen4Shan Yin5School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, ChinaSchool of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, ChinaSchool of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, ChinaSchool of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, ChinaSchool of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, ChinaSchool of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, ChinaAirborne particulate matter (PM) is one of the most urgent urban environment problems in the world today. The urban ecosystem has been identified as a potentially promising solution to reduce the airborne PM based on the ability of plants to retain PM. Numerous studies have been conducted to explore the process and mechanism of atmospheric PM retention by plant leaves in the past. In this study, in order to better summarize previous research, particularly the impact of leaf traits on PM retention, and to provide guidance for the selection of tree species for nature-based urban PM solutions, a systematic review was carried out using the method recommended in the PRISMA, and a total of 49 articles were selected. It was found that: 1. Asian countries contribute the majority of the proportion (32, 65%). Following behind are European countries (13, 26.5%). The American countries contribute two cases. 2. Among all the tree species, <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> (16), <i>Euonymus japonicus</i> (11), <i>Magnolia denudate</i> (9), <i>Styphnolobium japonicum</i> (9), <i>Magnolia grandiflora</i> (8), and <i>Prunus cerasifera</i> (8) emerged as hot species in research. 3. Leaf area and shape emerged as the two most frequently discussed macro-indicators, while roughness, hairiness, and stomatal characteristics were the top three micro-indicators explored. 4. Roughness and stomata, respectively, play crucial roles in capturing larger PM particles and retaining fine and ultrafine PM through their recessed structures. Trichomes decrease the likelihood of particle resuspension and boosts the efficiency of PM retention. 5. Leaves with high rigidity and complex multi-faceted leaf shapes are typically presumed to exhibit higher PM retention efficiency for higher edge effects and increased interleaf turbulence. Furthermore, with rigidity and edge effects ensured, a larger leaf area is beneficial for retaining PM.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/2/170systematic reviewatmospheric particulate matterleaf traitsPM retention
spellingShingle Wenkai Xue
Yongjun Lin
Zhengqi Sun
Yuchong Long
Dele Chen
Shan Yin
Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review
Atmosphere
systematic review
atmospheric particulate matter
leaf traits
PM retention
title Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review
title_full Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review
title_short Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review
title_sort effects of leaf trait variability on pm retention a systematic review
topic systematic review
atmospheric particulate matter
leaf traits
PM retention
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/2/170
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AT yuchonglong effectsofleaftraitvariabilityonpmretentionasystematicreview
AT delechen effectsofleaftraitvariabilityonpmretentionasystematicreview
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