Identification Efficient Air Pollution Mitigating Tree Species Considering Tree and Regional Characteristic

Abstract

The rapid industrialization and urbanization worldwide have resulted in a notable surge in air pollutants and the prevalence of atmospheric haze, exerting detrimental effects on public health. South Korea has been rated as having the highest concentration of PM2.5 among OECD member countries in 2019 (OECD, 2019), posing a severe health risk. Establishing urban forests and street trees has been proposed as an environmentally friendly solution to mitigate this issue. Trees are crucial in filtering ParticulateMatter (PM), improving air quality, and mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect. This research established a system to evaluate and rank the suitability of trees for PM reduction by incorporating regional and tree-specific characteristics into a formula. We systematically consider region-based, place-based, and detailed characteristics-based criteria of trees to rank their suitability for different urban environments. Region-based criteria consider climate and environmental factors, while place-based criteria assess tree properties relevant to urban locations. Detailed characteristics-based criteria allow for personalization based on aesthetic preferences. By integrating these factors into an equation, we provide a tool for informed tree selection, enhancing the efficiency of the process. Additional variables can be incorporated to refine tree rankings based on specific purposes. The research selects effective tree species for PM reduction and aims to develop a platform for broader accessibility. This platform will consider city landscapes and citizen preferences when choosing street trees and urban forests. Future work includes enhancing citizen participation in particulate matter management, expanding urban ecosystems beyond trees, and incorporating citizen preferences and opinions to maximize social and environmental benefits. By activating this platform, we anticipate a positive impact on urban air quality and overall city well-being and can also provide easy access for local governments and general users for planning city or city forests.