Dorsi-ventral leaf reflectance properties of Carpinus betulus L.: An indicator of urban habitat quality

The objective of this paper is to give an account of the evaluation of the effect of urban habitat quality on dorsi-ventral leaf reflectance asymmetry to bio-monitor urban habitat pollution. Reflectance in the RGB bands of a reflex camera is measured at the adaxial and abaxial sides of Carpinus betulus L. leaves for two contrasting urban habitats, e.g.; suburban green and industrial habitats in the city of Gent (Belgium). Abaxial leaf reflectance is consistently higher than adaxial leaf reflectance. We quantified leaf dorsi-ventral reflectance asymmetry with a newly defined Normalized Dorsi-ventral Asymmetry Index (NDAI). The NDAI is significantly higher in industrial habitats as opposed to suburban green ones. Our optical observations indicate that changes in Carpinus betulus L. leaf morphology are related to urban habitat quality. Hence, we suggest that leaf dorsi-ventral reflectance asymmetry allows the estimation of the magnitude and spatial extent of environmental pollution in urban environments. - Highlights: ► Carpinus betulus L. leaf asymmetry relates with urban habitat quality. ► The Normalized Difference Asymmetry Index estimates leaf dorsi-ventral asymmetry. ► The NDAI allows magnitude and spatial extent estimation of habitat quality. - Optical observations indicate that leaf dorsi-ventral reflectance asymmetry of Carpinus betulus L. leaves is related to urban habitat quality.