Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effect of air pollution by exhausts of different transportation means on Juniperus procera forest. Several forests were selected at Al-Baha region (western-south portion of KSA) which differs in traffic density. The study focused on air organs (leaves and branches) of Juniperus and the soil of the plant. Photosynthesis pigments, estimation of some minerals (Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, K, Zn, Pb), soil texture, soil EC, soil pH, estimation of mineral nitrogenous elements (Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, K, Zn, Pb) and amounts of sulfates, chlorides, bicarbonates salts. results revealed that there are significant differences between sites in the amount of photosynthesis pigments, increase in chlorophyll a and b with the increase of pollution degree. There are high significant differences between minerals in the plant, calcium recorded the highest values while sodium recorded the lowest values in the plant. Soil results, on the other hand, indicated that, there are high significant differences between sites in the soil texture, Ec and pH. Raghdan forest soil has the highest Ec, lowest alkalinity compared to other sites. The amount of Pb, sulfates, chlorides, Ca, Mg, Na and bicarbonates salts in the soil of Raghdan forest (of high traffic density) is significantly higher than other sites. This study has shown that (Juniperus procera) is of environmental importance has high potential for Adaptation to environmental stresses such as Traffic emissions, these plants used different methods to adapt such as the increase of photosynthesis pigments and accumulation of some elements in the plant tissue in sites with high traffic density, the main source of pollution and important heavy elements especially lead caused by emissions from vehicle exhausts. [Faykah Goman mohamd ALghamdy. Environmental Studies on the Effect of Air Pollution on Natural Forests Deterioration of Juniperus (Juniperus procera) in Saudi Arabia. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):5808-5814] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 865