Format: ORAL

Barbara Baesso Moura1,2*, Yasutomo Hoshika1,2,3, Jacopo Manzini4, Elena Marra1,3, Elena Paoletti1,2,3

1 Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy 2 NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy 3 Italian Integrated Environmental Research Infrastructures System (ITINERIS), Tito Scalo 85050 (Potenza), Italy 4 Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Science and Technology (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18, 50144 Firenze, Italy

Cities face diverse environmental challenges, making it crucial to identify the most significant ones for each city to design effective urban strategies. Implementing urban green infrastructure is a promising approach that can significantly improve public health by reducing air pollution. Vegetation controls pollutant flow and distribution, with some tree species being more effective at trapping pollutants than others. Key traits for improving air quality include canopy density, foliage longevity, water-use strategy, and high stomata conductance, which is essential for gaseous pollutants capture. However, trees can also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react to form ground-level ozone (O3). Therefore, avoiding tree species that emit high VOC levels is important, particularly in residential areas. Advanced models and tools can help estimate ecosystem services and support urban greenery management. These tools assist public institutions and citizens in selecting species that maximize air pollution reduction. The effectiveness of urban greenery varies with fragmentation, green cover, and plant species. In conclusion, while beneficial vegetation traits enhance pollutant capture, they do not guarantee suitability for all contexts. Selecting tree species with high pollution mitigation potential does not always yield desirable results. Plant species must be adapted to local conditions, and stress tolerance should be prioritized in urban environments, especially roadside areas facing multiple stressors.