Complex Study of the Physiological and Microclimatic Attributes of Street Trees in Microenvironments with Small-Scale Heterogeneity

Csenge Lékó-Kacsova (), Zoltán Bátori, András Viczián, Ágnes Gulyás and Márton Kiss
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Csenge Lékó-Kacsova: Department of Atmospheric and Geospatial Data Sciences, University of Szeged, Egyetem Str. 2, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary
Zoltán Bátori: Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
András Viczián: Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN), Temesvári Krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
Ágnes Gulyás: Department of Physical and Environmental Geography, University of Szeged, Egyetem Str. 2, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary
Márton Kiss: Department of Atmospheric and Geospatial Data Sciences, University of Szeged, Egyetem Str. 2, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Rapid urban growth leads to an extension of artificial surfaces and inefficient energy management, an increase in urban heat islands, and local climate change. This has increased the need for green infrastructure and urban trees are playing an important role. It is important to ensure that tree groups can withstand climate warming and disturbances. This study investigated the physiological parameters of Tilia tomentosa ‘Seleste’ trees situated in a medium-sized Hungarian city, examining their relationship with microclimatic differences observed on opposing sides of a street. Instruments placed on 10 trees recorded air temperature and humidity, revealing a significant difference in total insolation, which resulted in higher maximum daily temperatures on the sunny side. These microclimatic variations were found to significantly affect physiological attributes, particularly pigment content. Trees on the sunny side exhibited a higher relative water content and a higher ratio of chlorophyll a / b , indicative of light acclimatisation. Trees on the sunny side exhibited a higher relative water content and a higher ratio of chlorophyll a/b , indicating an acclimatisation to light. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between pigment content, total insolation, and growing degree days. The findings demonstrate how fine-scale microclimate differences influence tree physiology, providing crucial physiological indicators that inform the capacity of urban trees to provide vital ecosystem services, such as local climate regulation. This emphasises the importance of climate-conscious urban planning, as even small-scale climate change can have a broader impact.

Keywords: climate change; urban trees; microclimate; physiological factors; insolation; chlorophyll; Szeged; Hungary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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