Abstract
Urban trees are exposed to multiple co-occurring stressors, including heat, drought, and pollution driven by intensified urbanization and climate change. These environmental pressures can compromise tree vitality by disrupting photosynthetic performance and oxidative balance. In this study, we assessed the structural, physiological, and biochemical responses of three common urban tree species (Tilia platyphyllos, Celtis occidentalis, and Platanus × hispanica) growing under urban environmental conditions in Novi Sad, Serbia. Leaf traits were measured during June and August to capture seasonal stress variation. Structural indicators (SPAD, leaf thickness, leaf temperature differential), chlorophyll fluorescence traits (ΦII, ΦNPQ, Fv′/Fm′), oxidative stress biomarkers (TBARS, proline, GSH), and antioxidant enzyme activities (APX, CAT) were quantified. The Tree Health Risk Index (THRI) was calculated to integrate multilevel responses. Results revealed species-specific differences, with Tilia exhibiting the highest sensitivity, characterized by notable photochemical declines and oxidative stress under urban conditions. Celtis showed moderate resilience, while Platanus demonstrated the most robust performance and emerged as a promising candidate for climate-resilient urban sites. Heatmap clustering and trait contribution analyses confirm oxidative stress biomarkers and chlorophyll fluorescence traits as key indicators of urban stress. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating functional trait-based approaches for assessing tree health in urban greening.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Tilia showed the greatest urban stress sensitivity, with photochemical decline and oxidative stress.
TiliaOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Tilia exhibiting the highest sensitivity, characterized by notable photochemical declines and oxidative stress under urban conditions”
Claim · model-written summary
Celtis showed moderate resilience under urban conditions.
- Outcome
- moderate resiliencee0
CeltisOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Celtis showed moderate resilience”
Claim · model-written summary
Platanus showed the most robust performance.
- Outcome
- most robust performancee0
PlatanusOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Platanus demonstrated the most robust performance”
Claim · model-written summary
Oxidative stress biomarkers and chlorophyll fluorescence traits were key urban stress indicators.
- Outcome
- key indicators of urban stresse0
Not reportedTaxonComparatorValue
Verbatim
e0“Heatmap clustering and trait contribution analyses confirm oxidative stress biomarkers and chlorophyll fluorescence traits as key indicators of urban stress”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors identify Platanus as a promising tree for climate-resilient urban sites.
- Outcome
- promising candidate for climate-resilient urban sitese0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Platanus demonstrated the most robust performance and emerged as a promising candidate for climate-resilient urban sites”