The contribution of linear parks to the removal of pollutants and their role in the provision of ecosystem services in cities: a case study of a linear park in Toluca, Mexico

Urban parks play a crucial role in air pollution mitigation by acting as natural filters. This study evaluated the air pollutant removal capacity of trees in Paseo Tollocan Linear Park. A random sampling of 50 circular plots (6 m diameter) was conducted, with 3 to 5 trees sampled per plot (n = 235), measuring key dasometric variables. Six tree species were identified, with Cupressus lusitanica being the most abundant and tallest, while Salix babylonica had the largest diameter. Both introduced species had the highest Urban Importance Value Index (106.18% and 76.96%). The park’s annual pollutant removal averaged 128 kg−1 ha−1 year−1, with C. lusitanica showing the highest efficiency (1.156 kg−1 ha−1 year−1 per tree). These findings suggest that the park’s tree composition, characterized by low species diversity and the presence of non-native species, suggests a limited ecological perspective in its design, rather than a targeted strategy for pollutant removal. The Paseo Tollocan Linear Park removes an average of 128 kg/ha/year of atmospheric pollutants, which positions it as a key resource in the mitigation of urban pollution.C. lusitanica, the most abundant introduced species in the park, stands out for its high pollutant removal capacity (1,156 kg/ha/year per tree).The park has low tree diversity and homogeneity, which increases its vulnerability to environmental and health impacts.The study suggests that the park could improve its ecological stability and resilience by introducing endemic species and greater tree diversity.The park’s level of pollutant removal is comparable to that of European cities, surpassing several US cities, thanks to local conditions such as the precipitation regime.