Differential Stomatal Responses to Surface Permeability by Sympatric Urban Tree Species Advance Novel Mitigation Strategy for Urban Heat Islands

Anette Shekanino, Avaleen Agustin, Annette Aladefa, Jason Amezquita, Demetri Gonzalez, Emily Heldenbrand, Alyssa Hernandez, Maximus May, Anthony Nuno, Joshua Ojeda, Ashley Ortiz, Taylor Puno, Jennifer Quinones, Jade Remillard, Jasmine Reola, Janisa Rojo, Isaiah Solis, Justin Wang, Adrian Yepez, Crystal Zaragoza and Víctor D. Carmona-Galindo ()
Additional contact information
Anette Shekanino: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Avaleen Agustin: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Annette Aladefa: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Jason Amezquita: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Demetri Gonzalez: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Emily Heldenbrand: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Alyssa Hernandez: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Maximus May: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Anthony Nuno: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Joshua Ojeda: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Ashley Ortiz: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Taylor Puno: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Jennifer Quinones: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Jade Remillard: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Jasmine Reola: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Janisa Rojo: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Isaiah Solis: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Justin Wang: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Adrian Yepez: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Crystal Zaragoza: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Víctor D. Carmona-Galindo: Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Division, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: As urbanization draws more people to metropolitan areas, a steadfast increase in impervious surfaces ultimately contributes to a pronounced urban heat island effect. While city greening strategies to mitigate urban thermal effects often tout street-tree cover expansion, many plant species are susceptible to heat stress, limiting survivorship, primary productivity, and ecosystem services. Our research objective was to characterize how urban imperviousness impacted the photosynthetic traits of four sympatric tree species in Old Town La Verne, California. We found that while Camphor trees ( Camphora officinarum ) and Carrotwood trees ( Cupaniopsis anacardioides ) did not differ significantly in photosynthetic traits at sites with impervious and pervious surfaces, both Coast Live Oak trees ( Quercus agrifolia ) and Olive trees ( Olea europaea ) showed significant differences in leaf stomatal length and density. Our findings suggest that the photosynthetic traits of some exotic tree species may be less susceptible to surface permeability than either native or floristically indigenous tree species. We propose that urban greening initiatives adopt a temporal strategy for mitigating urban heat island effects, starting with an urban canopy composed of exotic trees more resilient to impervious surfaces and later transitioning to a recombinant canopy ecology of floristically relevant tree species suited for the soil permeability native to southern California.

Keywords: environmental biology; green infrastructure; recombinant ecology; urban biology; urban heat island effect; urban trees; urban canopy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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