The role of vegetation in mitigating air pollution impacting schoolchildren: a seasonal study in Zielonka

This study investigates the role of urban vegetation in mitigating particulate matter (PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀) pollution along school routes in Zielonka, a small town near Warsaw. Measurements were collected during winter (March) and late summer (September) using a Sniffer4D mobile air quality monitor carried along pupils’ commuting paths, alongside vegetation density estimates obtained with a SunScan Canopy Analysis System. Initial correlation analyses across the entire dataset revealed weak but statistically significant negative relationships between leaf area index (LAI) and particulate concentrations. To refine interpretation, the study introduced spatial stratification using built-up area percentages derived from the BDOT10k topographic database. The findings highlight that vegetation’s effectiveness in improving air quality is highly context-dependent, shaped by urban form and season. Although the explanatory power was modest, the results emphasize the importance of integrating vegetation and built-environment interactions in air quality assessments. Further studies with broader spatial and temporal coverage are recommended to better characterize these relationships.