Heavy Metal Contamination of Forest Soils by Vehicular Emissions: Ecological Risks and Effects on Tree Productivity.

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dc.contributor.authorMalunguja, Gisandu K.
dc.contributor.authorThakur, Bijay
dc.contributor.authorDevi, Ashalata
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-05T09:28:02Z
dc.date.available2025-02-05T09:28:02Z
dc.date.issued2022-01-29
dc.descriptionThis Journal Article of Agricultural science and Technology was Published by Springer.
dc.description.abstractAn ecological study was conducted to evaluate the levels and effects of heavy metals on forest surface soils along highways. We hypothesized that vehicles in highways emit considerable levels of metals, affecting plant diversity and productivity. Pearson correlation, cluster, and regression analysis were used to prove these relationships. Furthermore, ecological risk assessments were quantified using the geo-accumulation index, pollution index, pollution load index, and ecological risk index. Results indicated soil samples from Site II (roadway) had higher levels of metals than Site I (control), suggesting that highway traversing via forests emit considerable amounts of metals into the surface soil. The most intriguing aspect is that species such as Bidens Pilosa and Arundo donax were frequently recorded at Site II. The predominance of such species indicates contaminated sites favouring metal tolerance species. Ecological risk indices revealed that Cd, Mn, and Pb contributed to ecological risk; their pollution ranged from unpolluted to heavily polluted ecosystem. Correlation analysis found a pronounced negative link between metals and diversity; the correlation matrix was −83%, −94%, −65%, −75%, −47%, −57% and−38% for grass diversity, and−59%, −74%, −89%, −66%, −81%, −81% and−83% for forb diversity with Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu and Mn, respectively. Furthermore, negative correlations for tree production of −80%, −79%, −76%, −71%, −67%, −53% and−41% were recorded with Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu and Mn, respectively. Nevertheless, metals accounted for 74% variance in tree productivity. The strong negative link observed in this study demonstrates the effects of metals on diversity and productivity, which requires monitoring for preventing serious environmental consequences.
dc.description.sponsorshipMbeya University of Science and Technology.
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-022-00567-x
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.must.ac.tz/handle/123456789/224
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.titleHeavy Metal Contamination of Forest Soils by Vehicular Emissions: Ecological Risks and Effects on Tree Productivity.
dc.typeArticle
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