PHENOTYPIC DEVIATIONS IN OLEA EUROPAEA L. LEAVES AS INDICATORS OF ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT

This research investigates the suitability of Olea europaea L. as a bioindicator for assessing roadside environmental pollution in urban ecosystems. Morphometric analysis was conducted on leaf samples from ecologically clean (control) and high-pollution roadside environments in Baku, Azerbaijan. Results revealed that leaves from polluted sites exhibited significantly increased bilateral asymmetry and reductions in lamina width and length compared to control samples, indicating developmental instability under anthropogenic stress. The highest asymmetry values occurred in areas with the greatest traffic density and pollutant exposure. These morphological changes highlight the sensitivity of O. europaea L. to environmental disturbances, confirming its potential as an effective biomonitoring species. The findings provide a foundation for integrating olive trees into environmental monitoring programs, contributing to improved pollution control measures and informed ecological policy development.