Physiological Characteristics of Zelkova serrata Street Trees in Goyang and Paju, South Korea

Abstract

Street trees have been incorporated into urban forests to regulate the microclimate and provide shade as well as provide aesthetic and environmental functions and to evaluate their physiological characteristics. Zelkova serrata is a major tree species that has been planted on various South Korean streets. We determined the physiological characteristics of Z. serrata in street trees of Goyang and Paju in Gyeonggi Province. According to survey sites, net CO2 assimilation rates was 13.9-16.4 μmol CO2 m-2s-1, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was 0.80-0.82, and proline contents was showed 3.4-3.7 mg g-1 FW. The studied trees were assumed to be physiologically stressed, but it was found that Z. serrata was planted as street trees were not significantly stressed when compared to chlorophyll fluorescence responses and proline contents. In the future, the continuous monitoring system is needed to evaluate the physiological characteristics of urban trees.