Environmental Assessment of Plant Species Using APTI and API along NH-07 in Himachal Pradesh, India
Kalyani Supriya, Riya Chauhan and RK Aggarwal
2025/01/20
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14698351
ABSTRACT
The assessment of Air pollution tolerance index and anticipated performance index of most occurring plants along National Highway-07 (Nahan – Paonta Sahib), Himachal Pradesh. The investigation has been done along NH-07 from December 2023 to January 2024. There were four 10-km segments of the 40-km NH-07 route between Nahan and Paonta Sahib were separated for analysis. The vehicle activity's effect on vegetation was evaluated by measuring plants at D1 (0–5 m), D2 (5–10 m), and D3 (>10 m) distances from the NH-07 on both sides. Based on the estimated APTI and the socioeconomic traits of most occurring plant species found along the roadside at various locations, the expected performance index (API) was evaluated. The findings revealed that, all the four dominant species scored less APTI score (< 11) and categorised as sensitive plant species. There is no discernible variance in APTI across all sites, according to the two-way ANOVA. The APTI and socioeconomic factors are used in the novel ecological process known as the Anticipated Performance Index (API) to choose plant species that will reduce air pollution. The findings, as reported by API, indicated that among the four most dominant plant species, Shorea robusta (API = 4) considered as "good" performance, Eucalyptus globulus (API = 3) is a moderate performer whereas Ficus roxburghii and Mallotus phillippenis (API = 2) are poor performers. Therefore, it is recommended that a green belt be created for the top performer i.e. Shorea robusta in a particular study area.
AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS
1 Department of Environmental Science, Himachal Pradesh University Summerhill Shimla H.P.-171005, India
2 Department of Environmental Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan H.P. -173230, India
CITATION
Supriya K, Chauhan R and Aggarwal RK (2025) Environmental Assessment of Plant Species Using APTI and API along NH-07 in Himachal Pradesh, India. Environmental Science Archives 4(1): 35-43.
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