Role of Turkish ornamental plants in noise pollution.

The effects of Ligustrum vulgare (a broad-leaved evergreen species), Rosmarinus officinalis (a narrow, short-leaved mint species) and Abies pinsapo (a coniferous species) were analyzed on noise attenuation at a frequency of 2000 Hz. The most effective plant against the noise level was Abies pinsapo, the second Rosmarinus officinalis, and the third Ligustrum vulgare. The plant characteristics of scattered, needle-shaped leaf-areas, wide stems, high densities of leaves and stems, and relatively low transpirations and the microenvironmental characteristics of relatively high evaporations could be correlated with noise absorption. -from Authors