ozone-sensitive plants

Ozone-sensitive plants are species that are easily harmed by elevated levels of ground-level ozone, a gaseous pollutant formed when vehicle emissions and industrial processes react with sunlight. High ozone levels can cause leaf damage, reduce growth, and impair overall health by affecting photosynthesis—the process plants use to make food. These plants serve as indicators of air quality because their health declines noticeably when ozone concentrations increase. Protecting ozone-sensitive plants helps monitor environmental health and highlights the need to reduce air pollution for broader ecosystem and human well-being.