Leaf functional traits as bio-indicators of urban environment impact on trees

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200209159

Growing in urban settlements, trees are frequently exposed to various biotic and abiotic stressors, which may negatively affects its health status and growth rate, sometimes even causing a premature mortality. Additionally, future climate change is supposed to worsen climate conditions in urban areas, posing a new and unique challenges to urban vegetation. Under influence of urban conditions trees may develop different physiological and morphological mechanisms to enhance their tolerance to multiple stress factors. Leaf traits have been recognized as one of the principal components of plants acclimation to environmental conditions, influencing their growth and vitality. Recent studies showed that leaf functional traits may become a reliable tool for measuring physiological stress in trees, as well as exploited as useful bio-indicators for assessment of urban habitat quality. Hence, in the present paper we reviewed different short- and long-term response mechanisms (e.g. physiological, morphological, anatomical) exploited by urban trees to acclimate to urban habitat conditions and accompanied stress factors, accordingly. Additionally, the implication of study results was discussed in term of selection of suitable tree species for cultivating in urban environments.
Keywords: Stress factors, urban trees, leaf traits, acclimation