Sunlight Influences Stomatal Count in Fabaceae Trees in Maros Urban Forest

Image: article cover, from Yahya et al. (2025), Jurnal Wasian, licensed CC BY 4.0.

A research team from Universitas Muslim Maros and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) examined the stomatal characteristics of four tree species from the Fabaceae family in the Urban Forest of Maros Regency, South Sulawesi. Published in the Journal Wasian, the study found that sunlight intensity was the only environmental factor with a significant effect on stomatal number and density, whereas air humidity showed no significant influence.

The four species studied were acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), cockspur coral tree (Erythrina crista-galli L.), albizia (Paraserianthes falcataria L.), and rain tree (Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.). Although from the same family, the four possess different stomatal types: acacia is diasitic, cockspur coral tree parasitic, rain tree anomocytic, and albizia cyclocytic. Albizia recorded the highest stomatal number and density, while cockspur coral tree the lowest. The team also noted higher stomatal number and density on the eastern side than on the western side of the urban forest.

According to the study, stomata play a crucial role in gas exchange that determines a tree's photosynthetic efficiency. Understanding how light shapes stomatal characteristics helps explain trees' adaptability to the variable urban environment. The Maros urban forest itself covers only 0.5 hectares of the total 6–7 hectares of green open space, so this information is useful for managers in selecting and maintaining appropriate tree species.

Source and how to cite

This story is based on the research article Responses of Stomatal Characteristics to Environmental Factors in Fabaceae Trees of the Urban Forest in Maros Regency by Roslina Yahya Yahya, Hadija Sukri, Nirawati and Ira Nurhayati Djarot Djarot, published in Jurnal Wasian Vol. 12 No. 01 (2025). The full article is free to read on the Jurnal Wasian website.

Cite the original article (APA 7):

Yahya, R. Y., Sukri, H., Nirawati, & Djarot, I. N. D. (2025). Responses of Stomatal Characteristics to Environmental Factors in Fabaceae Trees of the Urban Forest in Maros Regency. Jurnal Wasian, 12(01), 01–09. https://doi.org/10.62142/xx0wes03

If you use these findings in coursework, a thesis or other writing, cite the original article above, not this news story. The original article is licensed CC BY 4.0.