Abstract
This research investigates the relationship between the chemical parameters and pollutant concentration of soil and the extent of infection of wood decay fungi across various tree species in urban areas of Hong Kong. Notably, this research uncovered significant differences (p < 0.05) in fungal infection rates among different tree species (0.78–24.3%). The total concentration of PAHs in the soil samples collected ranged from 0.47 to 3.33 mg/kg (dry weight), with 13 out of the 18 sampling sites exceeding the Dutch Target Values (DTVs) of 1 mg/kg (dry weight). Principal components analysis (PCA) results revealed the influence of two principal components on the fungal infection rates among tree species. In particular, the first component was associated with electrical conductivity (EC) (PC1: 99.7%), while the second component involved redox potential and nitrate concentration (PC2: 0.2%). Furthermore, high concentrations of naphthalene were observed in soils at all sites across five major tree species, namely Spathodea campanulata, Ficus microcarpa, Acacia confusa, Cinnamomum camphora, and Lagerstroemia speciosa. The PCA results suggested that PAHs significantly contributed to fungal infection in these tree species. Such valuable baseline information can aid in the further development of effective urban tree management strategies in Hong Kong, mitigating the adverse impacts of soil quality on urban tree health, particularly in the face of global warming and extreme weather conditions.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 101 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 25 Aug 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 25 Aug 2024 |
Scopus Subject Areas
- Environmental Science(all)
User-Defined Keywords
- Dutch guideline
- Fungal disease
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Principal component analysis
- Urban trees
- Wood decay fungi