ASIAN J. EXP. BIOL. SCI.

VOL 3(2) 2012: 298-302

Society of Applied Sciences

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Ornamental Shrubs as Plant Palettes Elements and Bioindicators Based on Air Pollution Tolerance Index in Surabaya City, Indonesia
a

P.Nugrahania,*, E.T.Prasetyawatia, Sugijantob and H.Purnobasukic

Department of Agrotechnology, UPN Veteran East-Java University, Surabaya, Indonesia b Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia c Department of Biology, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia

ABSTRACT Surabaya is the capital city of East Java and is the second biggest city in Indonesia. In the last five years, Surabaya has become green and more attractive with ornamental shrubs palettes along the road sides and street medians. Ten species of landscape plants have been identified as ornamental shrubs and herbaceous, and their potential for bioindicators of urban air pollution based on their Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). The vegetation monitoring in terms of its APTI acts as a Bioindicators of air pollution and can be incorporated into assessments studies. The APTI was formulated by four plant physiology indicators namely leaf extract pH, Relative Water Content, Ascorbic Acid and Chlorophyll content. The APTI value ranged between 8.01 and 10.91 on Mussaenda philippica and Codiaeum variegatum, respectively. Meanwhile, in descriptive observation, most of the palettes along the road side and street medians were arranged on more than three species of ornamental shrubs and herbs per 10 m2. Key words: bioindicators, ornamental shrubs, Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI), plant palettes

INTRODUCTION Surabaya, situated in east Java, Indonesia, is the second largest city of the state. In recent time there has been significant development activity in the automobile sector, in terms of sharp increase in vehicular population. It has contributed on the city carrying capacity of air pollutants like NOx, SO2, CO, CO2, particles and lead. The impact of such anthropogenic is responsible for variety human diseases and the plant community. There are various ways and means to mitigate the urban environmental pollution. Planting of trees and shrubs for abatement of pollution and improvement of environment is an effective way and well recognized throughout the world. Mitigating this pollution is a high priority for both human health and amelioration of environmental conditions in the city. Surabaya urban landscaping seems attractively on streetscape planting. Whereas street trees help reduce the urban heat island effect by providing cool shade over paved roadways. Trees and vegetation filter the air and reduce air pollutants such as particulates and carbon dioxide. As the control at source approach still need to be improved, receptors should do something to ensure they inhale better air quality. One possible approach is to plant appropriate plants or trees at strategic locations such as in towns, along the road sides and medians. This action can be done by the authority or individually by choosing right plants for their landscape. Plant selection criteria should not only limited to colorful flower and leaves, robustness, watering issues and space but it should also able to help improve the air quality. A polluted air was known indicated by changes in the plant anatomy, physiology or biochemistry. Since the plants organs are exposed to the atmosphere and the leaves continuously exchange gases, a pollutant is reflected on the plant health. These plants can be effectively used as bioindicators of the urban air quality. Ornamental shrub in the palette design element of streetscape may play a role as a beautification agent as well bioindicators. Conversely, the tolerant plants can be expected to perform well for the development of green belt [1]. Plants in the city were directly affected by air pollutants via leaves. When exposed to airborne pollutants, most plants experienced physiological changes before exhibiting visible damage to leaves [2]. In previous studies showed that the impacts of air pollutants could have on the parameters also included ascorbic acid (AA), chlorophyll content, leaf298

ASIAN J. EXP. BIOL. SCI. VOL 3 (2) 2012

Ornamental Shrubs as Plant Palettes Elements and Bioindicators Based On APTI in Surabaya City, Indonesia............................P. Nugrahani et al.

extract pH, and relative water content. Those parameters then formulated in an Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) [3]. The APTI has been used for identifying tolerance levels of plants species, then it is used by landscapers to select plant species tolerance to air pollution [4]. Another study defined the value of APTI in relationship to the potencies of the plants as acceptors of air pollution [5,6]. The objective of this study is to evaluate the palettes and air pollution tolerance of some shrubs ornamental plant species currently growing in the greening open space of the Surabaya city street medians. MATERIALS AND METHODS Evaluation of the palettes were conducted purposively to the medians in nine main streets of Surabaya City, i.e. Kendangsari street, Manyar Street, Ahmad Yani street, Kertajaya street, Galaxi Street, Nginden Street, Jemursari Street, Diponegoro Street and Darmo street. They were richly path by well maintained greenbelt so that has given lush green aesthetic appearance to the city. Survey for site evaluating was carried out at these sampling sites. The species of plants, their abundance and diversity were recorded. As well, the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) was calculated to evaluate air pollution plant tolerance. The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) was developed by analyzing the biochemical parameters of leaf material, namely pH, ascorbic acid, relative water content (RWC), and total chlorophyll (TCh). Leaves of 10 ornamental shrubs species were collected from the three random sampling sites. Those sampling site were Ahmad Yani, Kendangsari and Kertajaya Street. Three replicates of fully mature leaves of each species were taken in the morning. Leaf RWC was determined and calculated with the formula RWC=(Wf-Wd)x100/(Wt-Wd). Wf, which is fresh weight, was gained by weighing the fresh leaf pieces on a digital balance. Then, these leaf pieces were weighed after immersing in water overnight to get Wt, which is turgid weight. Next, leaf pieces were blotted to dryness and placed in a dryer at 105 (2 hrs) and reweigh to get dry weight (Wd). For TCh analysis, 0.5 g fresh leaves material was grounded and diluted to 10 ml in distilled water. Sub sample of 2.5 ml was mixed with 10 ml acetone and filtered. Optical density was read at 645 nm (D645) and 663 nm (D663). Optical density of TCh (CT) is the sum of chlorophyll a (D645) -1 density and chlorophyll b (D663) density as follows: CT = 20.2 (D645) + 8.02 (D663); TCh (mgg DW) was calculated as follows: TCh = 0.1CT x (leaf DW/leaf fresh weight). Extract pH was measured by using a digital calibrated pH meter and ascorbic acid content (expressed as mgg-1) was measured using DCPIP titrimetric method. The formula used to determined the APTI using the formula previously provided: APTI=[A(T+P)+R]10 Where A represents ascorbic acid; T, total chlorophyll; P, the leaf extract pH; and R, relative leaf water content. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Plants palettes characteristic The study has identified that plant materials for Surabaya city street medians consist of the naturally occurring vegetation. Sixty six of the ornamental shrubs species were found on the sites [7], arranged both in a palettes or individually accent plant. The plants providing many characteristics on their leaf forms, leaf colors, and leaf texture [8]. Flowering shrubs were minority elements of those palettes. The plants palettes over the sites providing colorful medians and establishing a strong visual presence among the busy traffic along the street. The palettes seem rather crowded because of much color, leaf shape and texture. Yet walking past Kendangsari street, the planting becomes less consistent, with trees dotting planting beds blanketed with mulch (Fig 1a). Yellow Ipomoe dominated mulch on the sites, especially to Galaxi Street (Fig 1b). There were recorded that all of the street palettes consist with many ornamental shrubs species. The number of ornamental shrubs species on each site variously, but it's no sites has less than ten species of ornamental shrubs. It was such of biodiversity in streetscape, where is found that more than three ornamental shrubs species in a meter square medians of the all sites observed. There were various compositions species on those palettes design without any consistent of repetitions.

ASIAN J. EXP. BIOL. SCI. VOL 3 (2) 2012

299

Ornamental Shrubs as Plant Palettes Elements and Bioindicators Based On APTI in Surabaya City, Indonesia............................P. Nugrahani et al.

Fig 1 Characteristic of the Plant Palletes a) The Plant Palettes of Kendangsari, b) The Plant Palettes of Galaxi, c) The Plant Palettes of Darmo, d) The Plant Palettes of Manyar

These are snapshots of the visual character of Darmo Street, and from a quick glance, one can see the shadow plants palettes (Fig 1c). The palette is the predominant plant grouping which occurs unnaturally. Plants from this group are appropriate on the locations, under the tress with no direct sun shine. Such as Manyar Street, many plants palettes were the traditional palette characteristic, which native and non-native plants commonly used in landscape applications are well suited for city climate, and may be appropriate where particular shapes, forms, or colors are desired. The scenic median areas portray a natural appearance in plant types and densities as shown in Figure 1d. Streetscape can be defined as a beautification or softening of a city street. The number of species used shall be designed to ensure a consistent and unified result. The species choice in street gardens is to compliment the balance of the street planting, the environment, and the scale of the surroundings. Such monoculture plantings should be avoided in favor of more diverse plantings, which are less vulnerable to environmental stress, and which, if carefully composed, can offer greater seasonal interest and visual richness Street shrubs plantings, when chosen carefully and well maintained, help to frame the street and visually enhance the streetscape. A long-term vision is needed to define the aesthetic quality of the streetscape in future years. Plantings for the medians area fall within several general groupings or palettes, which may be appropriate in different contexts. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to use non-native plants that are horticulturally compatible with the climate and soils. For example, non-natives may be more suitable as accent planting at commercial areas. Species shall be selected with regard to overall composition, low maintenance, and longevity. This traditional palette may be appropriate in commercial areas, or along streetscapes with a more suburban feel. They often add color and interest and may be used for emphasizing focal areas. Many non-native plants commonly used in landscape applications are well suited for its climate, and may be appropriate where particular shapes, forms, or colors are desired [9].

300

ASIAN J. EXP. BIOL. SCI. VOL 3 (2) 2012

Ornamental Shrubs as Plant Palettes Elements and Bioindicators Based On APTI in Surabaya City, Indonesia............................P. Nugrahani et al.

Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) Plants growing in polluted environment often responded and showed significant changes in their morphology, physiology and biochemistry. The analysis value of the four biochemical parameters along with the calculated APTI for the ten species of ornamental shrubs is given in Table 1. From the table it was evident that the plants showed varied degree of tolerance index to air pollution. It is observed from Table 1 that the APTI of the plant ranges from 8.01 to 10.91 with the Codiaeum having highest value and Mussaenda having lowest values. Based on the previous study [10] the species along with those having low value of APTI. APTI values can be utilized as bio-indicators of the air quality, while those species in the tolerant group can be used for development of streetscape greening.
Table 1 Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of some palettes ornamental shrubs

Species Batavia (Jatropha pandurifolia) Bugenvil (Bougainvillea sp.) Hanjuang (Cordyline terminalis) Kana (Canna indica ). Lili Spider (Hymenocallis speciosa) Nusa Indah (Mussaenda philippica) Puring (Codiaeum variegatum) Pisang Hias (Heliconia psittacorum) Lidah Mertua (Sansevieria trifasciata ) Ubi Hias (Ipomoea batatas)

Ascorbat Acid (mg/g) 2.32 2.39 2.00 1.30 1.70 1.00 2.93 2.77 1.52 1.14

Relative Water Contains (%) 71.00 74.00 72.30 84.00 69.00 70.30 77.60 81.00 87.30 86.30

pH 6.0 6.0 5.8 6.1 5.6 5.2 6.0 6.4 5.3 5.7

Total Chlorophyll (mg/g) 4.19 4.57 3.86 4.02 4.18 4.56 4.75 3.54 4.29 3.35

APTI 9.46 9.92 9.16 9.72 8.56 8.01 10.91 10.85 10.19 9.66

Plants are recommended for pollution abatement in urban, for aesthetic improvement, beautification of urban settings; improvising pattern in urban landscape; complement to urban design; softening of microclimate - radiations, temperature, relative humidity; absorption of air pollutants; indication of pollution; habitat for avifauna; shelter for poor humans; barriers, fences to mark boundary. Pollution-sensitive plants are also recommended for indication of pollution as an early warning system for protecting human health. The sensitive species help in indicating air pollution and tolerant one help in abatement of air pollution [10]. Sensitivity of the plants was expressed by low APTI values. Previous researcher [3] have suggested a method of determining Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) by synthesizing the values of four different biochemical parameters i.e. leaf extract pH, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll and relative water contents. According to [4], the APTIs of most shrubs were higher than those of trees, suggesting that shrubs, in general, were more tolerant to air pollution than trees. The tree species with high and low APTI can serve as tolerant and sensitive ones respectively. Such plants can effectively be used as indicators and pollution scavengers [11]. An overview of the result obtained from this study reveals that different plants responded differently to air pollutants (Table 1). The variation of the APTI can be attributed to the variation in any of the four physiological factors which governs the computation of the index. In another study [7], described that over of 60 ornamental shrub species growing in the streetscape of Surabaya, have a variety value of APTI.

ASIAN J. EXP. BIOL. SCI. VOL 3 (2) 2012

301

Ornamental Shrubs as Plant Palettes Elements and Bioindicators Based On APTI in Surabaya City, Indonesia............................P. Nugrahani et al.

CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, improving biodiversity in streetscapes project be able to encourage sustainability ecosystem. A diverse palette of shrubs species will have greater resistance to damage due to drought, disease or pollution than a monoculture of a single species. This ensures that the streetscape will continue to have a strong presence in terms of planting and considering on design planting principle. APTI determinations are of importance because with increase urbanization, there is increasing in vehicular population due to air pollution. The results of such studies are therefore handy for future planning. This study also provides useful information to select tolerant species fit for landscape on sites continuously exposed to air pollutants. Species ranked as tolerant and moderately tolerant should be considered in advance. Species ranked as intermediate tolerance should be chosen for planting only when these species have strong ability to absorb the air pollutants. Meanwhile species ranked as sensitive help to be a bioindicators of urban air quality. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are thankful to the Directorate of Research and Devotion in the Community (DP2M), Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Culture and Education, Jakarta, Indonesia, for the competitive research grants (Hibah Bersaing 2010/2011) provided for carrying out this work. REFERENCES
[1]. Mondal, D., Gupta,S.and Datta,J.K. (2011). Anticipated performance index of some tree species considered for green belt development in an urban area. Int. Res. J. Plant Sci., 2(4):99-106 [2]. Larcher,W. (1995). Physiological Plant Ecology 3rd Berlin: Springer pp.506 [3]. Singh,S.K., Rao, D.N., Agrawal, M., Pandey, J. and Narayan, D. (1991). Air pollution tolerance index of plants. J. Environ. Management., 32:45-55 [4]. Yan-Ju,L. and Hui, D. (2008). Variation in air pollution tolerance index of plants near a steel factory. Implications for landscape-plant species selection for industrial areas. Environ. Dev., 1(4):24-30 [5]. Nugrahani, P. (2008). Study on biomonitoring potencies of several ornamental shrubs on urban air pollution (in Bahasa Indonesia). Environ.Chem. J., 9(2):115-122 [6]. Agbaire, P.O. (2009). Air pollution tolerance indices (APTI) of some plants around Erhoike-Kokori oil exploration site of Delta State, Nigeria. Int. J. Physiol. Sci., 4(6):366-368 [7]. Nugrahani, P. and Sukartiningrum. (2008). Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of the median city street plants in Surabaya City (in Bahasa Indonesia). MAPETA Agric.Sci. J., 10(2):86-92 [8]. Carpenter, P.L., Walker, T.D. & Lanphear, F.O. (1975). Plant in the Landscape. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Co. [9]. SMCMA. (2008). Biodiversity in Streetscapes. Sydney Metropolitan Catchments Management Authority (SMCMA) [10]. Lakshmi, P.S., Sravanti, K.L and Srinivas, N. (2008). Air Pollution Tolerance Index of various plant species growing in industrial Areas. The Ecoscan, 2(2):203-206 [11]. Senthilkumar, P. and Paulsamy, S. (2011). Evaluation of air pollution tolerant tree species for Kothagiri Municipal Town, the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. J. Res. Biol., 2:148-152

Correspondence to Author: Pangesti Nugrahani , Department of Agro technology , UPN Veteran East -Java University, Surabaya, Indonesia 60294, Email: pangesti_nug@yahoo.com

302

ASIAN J. EXP. BIOL. SCI. VOL 3 (2) 2012