"What we plant, from an air quality perspective, is really only a problem because of the amount of fossil fuels that we burn in New York City," said Andrew Reinmann, an ecologist and CUNY professor who helped author the report. The research highlights that while trees generally absorb gasses and improve air quality, certain species like oaks and sweetgums can emit harmful isoprenes in polluted environments, leading to the formation of ground-level ozone, which exacerbates respiratory issues.
Species like oaks and sweetgums emit a chemical called isoprene that is harmless to humans on its own. However, it creates a toxic gas when it contacts pollutants from fossil fuel combustion, contributing to adverse health effects such as throat irritation and asthma.
Of the five million trees that make up the city's parks and forests, more than half are oaks (37 percent) and sweetgums (17 percent). Yet, the study shows that if New York maintains current planting strategies, isoprene production in Manhattan could increase by 140 percent in the coming decades, alongside rising ozone levels on hotter days.
Pollution in New York City can feel overpowering, with vehicles and buildings powered by fossil fuels contributing over half of the state's greenhouse gas emissions. Since heat causes isoprene emissions to rise exponentially, smart planning of tree species is necessary to avoid worsening the already challenging air quality.
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