Relationship Between Ambient Particulate Matter and Leaf Area Index: A Panel Data Study in Delhi, India

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Environmental Modeling and Assessment

Abstract

Particulate matter in the atmosphere affects health, climate, visibility, and the overall environment. Trees can naturally aid in dry deposition of particles from the atmosphere onto leaf surface. The present study attempts to examine the relationship between tree cover, represented by leaf area index (LAI), and ambient particulate matter, PM10 (particulate matter having an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm). A robust statistical technique using a panel setup, considering spatiotemporal effects, is employed to investigate the relationship in Delhi, a semi-arid region in India. The result obtained from the fixed effects panel model indicates that a unit LAI reduces 2.39 µg of PM10 level. Panel analysis yielded two clusters of the study sites, one denoting the sites in vicinity of industrial areas and the other in proximity to the Delhi Ridge. The effects of seasonal variation on PM concentration are also studied. The results quantitatively emphasize the environmental benefits of tree cover in urban areas.

First Page

29

Last Page

37

DOI

https://10.1007/s10666-022-09872-z

Publication Date

2-1-2023

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