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The effect of air pollution and other environmental stressors on leaf fluctuating asymmetry and specific leaf area of Salix alba L |
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| Authors: | Wuytack Tatiana Wuyts Karen Van Dongen Stefan Baeten Lander Kardel Fatemeh Verheyen Kris Samson Roeland |
| Institution: | a Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium b Laboratory of Forestry, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, B-9090 Gontrode (Melle), Belgium c Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium |
| Abstract: | We aimed at evaluating the effect of low-level air pollution on leaf area fluctuating asymmetry (FAA) and specific leaf area (SLA) of Salix alba L., taking into account other environmental factors. Cuttings were grown in standardized conditions in the near vicinity of air quality measuring stations in Belgium. Variability of SLA and FAA between measuring stations explained 83% and 7.26%, respectively, of the total variability. FAA was not influenced by air pollution or environmental factors such as shading, herbivory, air temperature and humidity. SLA was increased by an increase in shadow, while NOx and O3 concentrations had only a marginal influence. The influence of SO2 concentration was negligible. Although our data analysis suggests a relationship between SLA and NOx/O3 concentration, the absence of a straightforward relationship between FAA and SLA and air pollution still questions the usefulness of these bio-indicators for monitoring air pollution. |
| Keywords: | Active biomonitoring Fluctuating asymmetry Specific leaf area White willow Air quality |
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