Leaf surface effects of environmental pollution on sugar maple (Acer saccharum) in Montreal

Abstract

Leaf surface patterns of Acer saccharum Marsh. were investigated from extremely polluted and relatively unpolluted locations in Montreal, Quebec. In the polluted locations, the values for stomatal frequency were lower, and for trichome density higher than the corresponding values in the relatively unpolluted locations. No variation was evident in the subsidiary cell complex. These patterns may suggest adaptive significance in polluted environments.