Effects of greenbelt plant configuration on atmospheric PM2.5 in Beijing

High atmospheric PM2.5 concentrations are a major problem associated with air pollution in Beijing due to their frequent occurrence and harmful effects. The construction of greenbelts beginning in 2000 has altered the surface structure of the area between 4th ring road and 6th ring road; wind speed, which strongly influences the atmospheric PM2.5 content, has decreased simultaneously during this period. Here, we estimated the effects of different plant configurations on wind speed and dust retention in Beijing. We recommend configuring rough bushy shrub-grass in the northwest, west, and north; grass and rough bushy shrub-grass in the north, east, and southeast; and rough bushy shrub-grass and arbor-shrub-grass in the southwest and northeast. As vegetation types and planting methods influence the ability of shrub-grass and arbor-shrub-grass to block wind and dust, we recommend increasing planting density and introducing plants with hairy leaves and exuberant foliage.