The environmental condition of the urban areas, which is often characterized by atmospheric pollution (i.e, particulate matter, PM10) and high summer temperature, is a serious threat to the human health. Green Infrastructure (GI) can contribute to mitigate these conditions by delivering a wide range of Regulating Ecosystem Services (ESs). Numerous studies have assessed the role of vegetation in removing PM10 from the atmosphere; many others have reported that urban temperature, especially in summer, is lowered by the presence of urban and peri-urban forests.
The main goal of this project is to investigate the mismatch for two Regulating ESs, namely the regulation of air quality (intended as PM10 removal by vegetation) and the local mitigation of the summer temperature in the Municipality of Rome.
The interdisciplinary approach herein developed also includes different experimental activities that will allow to: (i) conduct remote sensing analysis through satellite images and by developing Composite Indicators; and (ii) investigate, with field and laboratory analysis and for specific sites, the chemical-physical characteristics of the PM10 bioaccumulated on the surface of the leaves, as well as the ability of the PM10 to induce oxidative stress to the leaves.
The main outcome of this project will be a mismatch map for each of the considered ESs and a map of the priority intervention areas for sustainable urban planning for the Municipality of Rome; a monetary evaluation of the benefits associated to the GI will also be performed by mean of literature data. To date, no study has investigated the mismatch between the supply and the demand for the ESs herein considered in any metropolitan area of Italy. For this reason, the stakeholders lack this planning tool, useful to enhance the environmental quality of the city and the wellbeing of citizens.
