scholarly journals Cultivating our urban forest future: a value-chain perspective

FACETS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2084-2109
Author(s):  
Darby McGrath ◽  
Ryan Plummer ◽  
Amy Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Knowledge Mobilization ◽  
Chain Of Custody ◽  
The Right ◽  
Natural Climate

For cities to grow their urban forest canopy the formula appears rather straightforward: the right trees, plus the right conditions, plus the right care equals success. These simplified “tree chain of custody” steps, however, represent activities within a complex value-chain in Canada. Given that there is heightened demand for urban tree planting as natural climate solutions become the norm, how can we prepare the value-chain to meet these demands? To answer this question, we outline the pathways by which trees presently go from nurseries into urban and peri-urban areas. Delineating the actors, roles, and present barriers to success exposes the complexity of the process and relationships in the value-chain, as there are distinct phases with multiple actor groups involved who influence, and are influenced, by one another. We explore the issues that pose prominent challenges to, as well as opportunities for, the value-chain. Emergent themes include communication, forecasting demand and timing, underpricing and undervaluing tree establishment, lack of awareness on the importance of soils, juvenile tree health, species selection, and gaps in evidence-based decision support tools. The touchstones of science and innovation, collaboration, and knowledge mobilization are pertinent for the value-chain in Canada to draw upon to navigate the future.

A Tree Selection Survey of Tree City USA Designated Cities in the Pacific Northwest

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-384
Author(s):  
Joshua Petter ◽  
Paul Ries ◽  
Ashley D’Antonio ◽  
Ryan Contreras
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Invasive Pests ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
The Right

As urban areas expand, there are a greater number of urban trees; however, development often leads to a reduction in urban trees in many areas. A reduction in the canopy volume of trees results in a reduction in the number of benefits. Additionally, urban trees can have additional stressors and must be more actively managed to maintain those services. Selecting tree species for the right site can lead to greater benefits and longer-lived trees. Increasing diversity of urban trees can help to mitigate some of the threats facing urban forests, such as invasive pests and climate change. We surveyed Tree City USA designated cities across Oregon and Washington to explore how they are selecting tree species for their municipalities. Responses were recorded for 79 out of 151 municipalities for a 52.3% response rate. Both open-ended questions and descriptive statistics were used to triangulate how managers are selecting tree species. Emergent themes in open-ended responses indicate a variety of justifications for tree species selection and the challenges of balancing those criteria. There is evidence to suggest that these municipalities are actively diversifying the urban forest; however, there are still 10 municipalities that reported ash (Fraxinus spp.) in their top 5 most frequently planted species in 2016. Many municipalities are still planting large quantities of maple (Acer spp.). Overplanting certain genera and species can lead to an increase in susceptibility to pests and pathogens. We recommend an increase in consideration for the diversification of tree species in urban areas.

scholarly journals Tree Species Selection in Street Planting: It’s relationship with issues in urban area

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramly Hasan ◽  
Noriah Othman ◽  
Faridah Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
The Public ◽  
Quality Of Urban Life ◽  
The Right ◽  
Selection Of

Trees in urban areas are an invaluable resource. Careful consideration and attention should be given to tree species selection. “Right tree at the right place” is the key to get the benefits offered by the tree. Objectives have been formulated as follows (i) to investigate the selection of tree species at selected local councils (ii) to analyse the issues related to the selection of the tree species looking at the public perspectives. A mixed method approach was undertaken in the data collection. Future considerations of the tree species as street planting based on the findings can reduce problems thus increase the quality of urban life.

scholarly journals DBH Distributions in America’s Urban Forests—An Overview of Structural Diversity

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Morgenroth ◽  
David Nowak ◽  
Andrew Koeser
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Wiener Index ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Trunk Diameter ◽  
Anderson Darling ◽  
Functional Management

Background and Objectives: The structural diversity of an urban forest affects ecosystem service provision, and can inform management, planning, as well as policy. Trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) is amongst the most common measures of tree structure due to its ease of measurement and strong relationships with other structural and non-structural urban forest characteristics. Materials and Methods: In this study, the DBH distributions of urban forests are summarised for 38 American cities with a combined population of over 30 million people and a range of geographic, climatic, and demographic conditions. The Anderson–Darling (AD) test was used to test the hypothesis that all DBH distributions came from a common population. Moreover, structural diversity was compared using the Shannon–Wiener index. Results: The AD test results failed to identify any statistically significant differences in DBH distributions. However, qualitatively, the DBH distributions have two primary forms, which have important functional, management, and planning implications. The vast majority of cities have an exponentially inverse-proportional distribution, such that the proportion of trees in each successively larger DBH class decreases exponentially. The Shannon–Wiener index indicates an uneven DBH distribution in the cities with an exponentially inverse-proportional diameter distribution; these cities are dominated by trees in the smallest diameter class. Potential explanations for a large proportion of trees in the smallest diameter classes include a large number of small, naturally regenerating trees; a preference for smaller trees in urban areas; or a recent increase in tree planting efforts. Conclusions: Despite no statistical differences in DBH distributions for the 38 study cities, the functional, management, and planning implications will differ considerably.

scholarly journals DEVELOPING MALAYSIAN ROADSIDE TREE SPECIES SELECTION MODEL IN URBAN AREAS

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramly Hasan ◽  
Noriah Othman ◽  
Faridah Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Selection Model ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Sustainable City ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Relationship

Urban trees are living organisms and vital elements of a city’s infrastructure; thus, they should be considered at every stage of planning design and development. In Malaysia, rapid changes in the environment have indirectly influenced the roadside tree condition such as fallen trees. This is reflected with the statistic increment of public complaints by 39% from 2014 until 2016 regarding the roadside tree problems, which are very worrying for the local authorities. This study aims to develop a Malaysian Roadside Tree Species Selection for guidance in selecting the right tree species for a sustainable city. The objectives of this study are (i) to determine additional attributes in roadside tree species selection, (ii) to examine the relationship between existing and additional attributes and (iii) to develop a Malaysian Roadside Tree Species Selection Model based on these attributes. This research applied the quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results produced a Malaysian Roadside Tree Species Selection Model.

scholarly journals Integrating sustainability subsystems in the management of urban forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Greene
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Economic Dimension ◽  
Urban Tree ◽  
Research Studies

The urban forest is an important natural capital asset providing essential ecological, social, and economic benefits to people living in cities. Research contained within this dissertation examines urban forest structure and management through the lens of strong sustainability and has as its central focus the question of where to prioritize planting of trees in a densely populated, and continually expanding, North American urban centre. Three independent research studies are included, each of which addresses a dimension of the urban forest that falls within one of the three subsystems of sustainability. The first study focuses on urban forest ecological service delivery with a specific focus on the relationship between forest canopy closure and summer surface temperatures across the City of Toronto, Canada. The second study examines a social dimension of the urban forest—identifying distributional inequalities in city resident access to urban tree canopy as a function of their household income. In the third study, an economic dimension of urban sustainability is investigated by examining the legacy of street tree planting decisions and their relationship to ash tree mortality caused by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). In addition to adding to scholarship concerning the processes and relationships examined within each sustainability subsystem, common themes arising across each of the studies are identified and discussed. These individual research studies and intersecting themes serve as the basis for an innovative approach to prioritizing urban tree planting that seeks to integrate a sustainability subsystems approach to the decision-making process.

scholarly journals Integrating sustainability subsystems in the management of urban forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Greene
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Economic Dimension ◽  
Urban Tree ◽  
Research Studies

The urban forest is an important natural capital asset providing essential ecological, social, and economic benefits to people living in cities. Research contained within this dissertation examines urban forest structure and management through the lens of strong sustainability and has as its central focus the question of where to prioritize planting of trees in a densely populated, and continually expanding, North American urban centre. Three independent research studies are included, each of which addresses a dimension of the urban forest that falls within one of the three subsystems of sustainability. The first study focuses on urban forest ecological service delivery with a specific focus on the relationship between forest canopy closure and summer surface temperatures across the City of Toronto, Canada. The second study examines a social dimension of the urban forest—identifying distributional inequalities in city resident access to urban tree canopy as a function of their household income. In the third study, an economic dimension of urban sustainability is investigated by examining the legacy of street tree planting decisions and their relationship to ash tree mortality caused by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). In addition to adding to scholarship concerning the processes and relationships examined within each sustainability subsystem, common themes arising across each of the studies are identified and discussed. These individual research studies and intersecting themes serve as the basis for an innovative approach to prioritizing urban tree planting that seeks to integrate a sustainability subsystems approach to the decision-making process.

scholarly journals Ecosystem Services Provided By Urban Forests In The Southern Caucasus Region: A Modeling Study In Tbilisi, Georgia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levan Alpaidze ◽  
Rocco Pace
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Southern Caucasus ◽  
The City

Abstract BackgroundAll cities globally are growing considerably as they are experiencing an intensive urbanization process resulting in significant economic, social, and environmental challenges. One of the major risks is the deterioration of living environment in urban areas due to the high soil consumption and pollution of environmental components. For this reason, cities are required to adopt measures to reduce air pollution concentration and CO2 emissions, preserve biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. In this context, tree planting has been suggested as one cost-effective strategy because green infrastructures can provide important environmental and social functions which contribute to the quality of life and health of city dwellers.Tbilisi is the largest city in Georgia, with a population of over 1,100,000 inhabitants (about 30% of total population of Georgia). The green space availability in Tbilisi (5-6 m2 per inhabitant) is low compared to other European cities, and in recent years the need to increase the amount of urban vegetation has been underlined at planning level.ResultsIn our study, we implemented for the first time in an Eastern European city the i-Tree Eco model to quantify the main ecosystem services from common tree species in Southern Caucasus. Two parks, Expo Park (694 trees) and Red Park (1027 trees) in the city of Tbilisi have been measured and a model simulation was performed for the year 2018. These urban forests store large amounts of carbon in their woody tissues (198.4 t for Expo park and 126.5 t for Red park) and each year they remove 4.6 and 4.7 t of CO2 for Expo park and Red park. They also positively contribute to the air quality by removing 119.6 and 90.3 kg of pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2), and reducing water runoff of 269.5 and 200.5 m3, respectively.Conclusions This analysis highlighted the key role of urban forests in improving the environmental sustainability of the city of Tbilisi and provides important decision support for the tree species selection in this geographic area with the aim of maximizing the benefits trees can supply to cities.

scholarly journals Applying Spatial Analysis Techniques to Assess Tennessee Urban Forests

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 184-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Bridges
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Analysis Techniques

Abstract Although the social, economic, and ecological benefits of urban forests have been well-documented, fewer efforts have been made to conduct landscape level assessments of urban forest canopy. This technical note describes how spatial analysis techniques were used to evaluate urban forest canopy cover in 133 municipal urban areas across Tennessee. Municipalities were compared based on participation in the Tree City USA program. Although urban forests vary greatly, results indicated that cities participating in this community forestry initiative exhibit higher levels of urban forest canopy cover. The integration of geographic information systems and remote sensing data presents new opportunities for community foresters to efficiently and effectively monitor urban ecosystems and formulate appropriate policy responses that can help to ensure forest sustainability across the urban–rural interface.

scholarly journals Ecosystem Services Provided By Urban Forests In The Southern Caucasus Region: A Modeling Study In Tbilisi, Georgia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levan Alpaidze ◽  
Rocco Pace
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Southern Caucasus

Abstract All cities globally are growing considerably as they are experiencing an intensive urbanization process resulting in significant economic, social, and environmental challenges. One of the major risks is the deterioration of living environment in urban areas due to the high soil consumption and pollution of environmental components. For this reason, cities are required to adopt measures to reduce air pollution concentration and CO2 emissions, preserve biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. In this context, tree planting has been suggested as a cost-effective strategy because green infrastructures can provide important environmental and social functions which contribute to the quality of life and health of city dwellers.Tbilisi is the largest city in Georgia, with a population of over 1,100,000 inhabitants (about 30% of total population of Georgia). The green space availability in Tbilisi (5-6 m2 per inhabitant) is low compared to other European cities, and in recent years the need to increase the amount of urban vegetation has been underlined at planning level.In our study, we implemented for the first time in a Southern Caucasus city the i-Tree Eco model to quantify the main ecosystem services provided by urban forests. Trees in two parks in Tbilisi, Expo Park (694 trees) and Red Park (1027 trees), have been measured and a model simulation was performed for the year 2018. These green infrastructures store large amounts of carbon in their woody tissues (198.4 t for Expo Park and 126.5 t for Red Park) and each year they remove 4.6 and 4.7 t of CO2 for Expo Park and Red Park. They also positively contribute to the air quality by removing 119.6 and 90.3 kg of pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2), and reducing water runoff of 269.5 and 200.5 m3, respectively.This analysis highlights the key role of urban forests in improving the environmental sustainability of the city of Tbilisi and provides important decision support for tree species selection in this geographic area with the aim of maximizing the benefits trees can supply to cities.

The Application of Organic Plant Media Composition on Indian Mustard Crops (Brassica Juncea L) in Polybag

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Nora Augustien ◽  
Pawana Nur Indah ◽  
Purnawati Arika ◽  
Irsyad Irsyad ◽  
Hadi Suhardjono
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Indian Mustard ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Mustard Plant ◽  
Soil Media ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
The Right

Indian mustard plants are the main vegetable crops consumed by urban communities. The need for this vegetable increases along with the increase in culinary tourism in each region and the government's appeal on sustainable food home. One effort made to meet the needs of vegetable mustard in urban areas can be cultivated using polybags. The main problem of vegetable cultivation on polybags is the availability of soil media. To overcome the limitations of soil media it is attempted to substitute it with organic litter enriched with MOL (local microorganisms). The purpose of research is to find the right combination of planting media for mustard plants. The results showed that the composition of K7 = soil: compost: litter of hay: litter of maize (2: 1: 1: 1) best on plant length, number of leaves, length of root leaves and number of roots while the wet weight of mustard plant (g) K7 = soil: compost: litter of maize: litter of corn (2: 1: 1: 1) and K8 = soil: compost: litter of maize: litter of maize: cocopeat (2: 1: 1: 1: 1) or soil: compost + urea. Increased weights of wet mustard by 63% compared to soil media and 20% compared to soil composition: compost + urea. Organic straw in the form of straw: litter of corn stalk: cocopeat enriched with MOL are able to become ready-made planting media on the cultivation of indian mustard plants in polybags.

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