This study aimed to investigate the association between the plant community structure, leaf surface microstructure, nutrient element content, and the dust-retention capacity of garden plants in urban road green spaces. The plant community located along Ying Tian Street in Nanjing City was selected as the focal point of the investigation. Random sampling was performed on the urban road green spaces, determining the amount of dust trapped in plant leaves. Subsequently, the microstructure of the leaf surface was observed, and the content of nutrient elements in the plant leaves was determined. The study also entailed an analysis of the interrelationships between the leaf surface microstructure, plant nutrient element content, and the dust-retention ability of the plants. The findings of this study revealed notable variations in the dust-retention capacity of garden plants and the community structure observed along Ying Tian Street. Among the tree species, Cedrus deodara and Ginkgo biloba exhibited a remarkable dust-retention ability per unit leaf area. Among the shrub species, Abelia × grandiflora and Loropetalum chinense displayed a strong dust-retention capacity per unit leaf area. Similarly, Ophiopogon japonicus and Cynodon dactylon exhibited a robust dust-retention ability per unit leaf area among the herbaceous plants. Furthermore, the dust-retention ability of the plants exhibited a strong positive correlation with the dimensions of leaf stomata, specifically the length and width, while displaying a moderate positive correlation with the width of grooves on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Conversely, the thickness of the leaves did not exhibit a significant correlation. Additionally, the nitrogen content of the leaves exerted a significant influence on the dust-retention ability of the plants (p < 0.05), although the phosphorus and potassium content factors did not exhibit a significant influence (p > 0.05). Based on the findings, it is recommended to prioritize the utilization of plants with robust dust-retention abilities, such as C. deodara, A. grandiflora, O. japonicus, and C. dactylon, and implement a mixed planting approach encompassing a combination of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants within urban road green spaces.

Port green spaces are essential protective barriers, enhancing safety and environmental resilience in high-activity port regions. Given the intensity of human activities in these areas, understanding the factors influencing the carbon sequestration capacity and ecological benefits of port green spaces is crucial for developing sustainable green ports. This study integrated field investigations and remote sensing data to estimate carbon density and carbon sequestration capacity in the Dongjiakou Port area, examining their relationship with port green space planning. The results indicated that carbon density in green spaces showed a significant negative correlation with the number of lanes in adjacent roads, where an increase in lane numbers corresponded to lower carbon density. Additionally, carbon density decreased significantly with increasing distance from the shipping center. In contrast, a significant positive correlation was observed between carbon density and distance from large water bodies, indicating that green spaces closer to large water bodies exhibited smaller carbon density. Infrastructure development in Dongjiakou substantially negatively impacted vegetation carbon sequestration capacity, with effects not reversible in the short term. However, green space enhancement efforts provided additional ecological benefits, leading to a 50.9 ha increase in green space area. When assessing carbon density in urbanizing areas, geographical influences should be prioritized. Furthermore, the long-term environmental impacts of urban expansion must be considered at the early planning stages, ensuring the implementation of proactive protective measures to mitigate potential ecological disruptions.