A Social-Ecological Approach to Studying Variation in Urban Trees and Ecosystem Services in the National Municipal District of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Maintaining a diverse urban forest that provides ecosystem services can promote urban sustainability and resilience to environmental change. Around the world, cities have taken to inventorying their urban trees and quantifying their ecosystem services but more so in industrialized counties than in Latin America. Here we describe the results of an i-Tree inventory that established 206 survey plots in the National Municipal District of Santo Domingo (NMDSD). We used social-ecological theory to evaluate potential factors that may influence urban forest structure, composition, and ecosystem services diversity across three wards with distinct social and urban characteristics. Rarefaction curves showed a diverse urban forest dominated by non-native trees that have ornamental and medicinal uses. Wards differed in species composition with palms being particularly dominant in Wards 1 and 2 where the proportion of low-income houses is smaller. Ward 1 supports high-income residential areas and Ward 3 is the area with higher population and housing densities and lower income residents. On average, we found no significant differences among wards in tree species richness, average dbh, leaf area, and percent tree cover per plot. Trees in Ward 2 were taller, on average, than those in Ward 1 but were comparable to those in Ward 3. Likewise, tree density per plot was highest in Ward 2, followed by Ward 1 and Ward 3. Despite these significant differences in stem densities, average values in four ecosystem services involving measures of carbon, rainfall, and contaminants (C-sequestration, C-storage, avoided runoff, and removal of air pollutants) were non-significant across wards. We found disproportionately more street trees in Ward 1 relative to Wards 2 and 3 and more trees in public spaces in Wards 1 and 2 relative to Ward 3. Evidence for the luxury effect on tree distribution in the NMDSD was subtle and manifested mostly through differences in species composition and tree distribution across public and private domains as well as the amount of planting space. Overall results point to inequalities in the potential of reforestation among NMDS wards and an overabundance of non-native species, which should guide urban forest management with ecosystem services and conservation goals.

Niche Shifts From Trees to Fecundity to Recruitment That Determine Species Response to Climate Change

Anticipating the next generation of forests requires understanding of recruitment responses to habitat change. Tree distribution and abundance depend not only on climate, but also on habitat variables, such as soils and drainage, and on competition beneath a shaded canopy. Recent analyses show that North American tree species are migrating in response to climate change, which is exposing each population to novel climate-habitat interactions (CHI). Because CHI have not been estimated for either adult trees or regeneration (recruits per year per adult basal area), we cannot evaluate migration potential into the future. Using the Masting Inference and Forecasting (MASTIF) network of tree fecundity and new continent-wide observations of tree recruitment, we quantify impacts for redistribution across life stages from adults to fecundity to recruitment. We jointly modeled response of adult abundance and recruitment rate to climate/habitat conditions, combined with fecundity sensitivity, to evaluate if shifting CHI explain community reorganization. To compare climate effects with tree fecundity, which is estimated from trees and thus is "conditional" on tree presence, we demonstrate how to quantify this conditional status for regeneration. We found that fecundity was regulated by temperature to a greater degree than other stages, yet exhibited limited responses to moisture deficit. Recruitment rate expressed strong sensitivities to CHI, more like adults than fecundity, but still with substantial differences. Communities reorganized from adults to fecundity, but there was a re-coalescence of groups as seedling recruitment partially reverted to community structure similar to that of adults. Results provide the first estimates of continent-wide community sensitivity and their implications for reorganization across three life-history stages under climate change.

Exotic Tree Species Outnumbering Native Tree Species: an Alarming Situation for the Sustainable Urban Plantation Development

This present study mainly focuses on the tree distribution and diversity of some selected roadsides in Faisalabad, a major city in Punjab, Pakistan. A total census of the tree population on selected roads was carried out and then studied for various parameters. Shannon–Wiener index, Reciprocal of Simpson’s diversity index, and Shannon Evenness were among the different species diversity indices which were studied. Observational results showed that the selected roads in the city hold low tree diversity, with nearly 2858 trees of 34 species, 30 genera, and 15 families. Mainly exotic tree species dominated the plantation of selected roadsides. The topmost three species contributing approximately 60% of the tree population are Conocarpus erectus, Eucalyptus crebra, and Terminalia mantaly. Despite the dominance of exotic tree species, many native tree species are also growing along selected roadsides. Since, Faisalabad has been reported as one of the most polluted cities in the world due to high suspended particulate matter, appropriate efforts are needed to improve the plantation pattern and also to enhance the canopy of the trees in the city to minimize the problem of air pollution.

Comparison of tree distribution in the province of Baghdad and other random by using high-resolution satellite image

In this paper two, sites (Satellite„ Images) of planting groups (green areas) gathered from two different region in locale of Baghdad province : the first region represent luxury area and the other represent poor random region will„ be considered to recognize between„ them. The first group is made up of the most important plans in the province of„ Baghdad, while the second is a random gathering. The employing data might be a high-„ resolution adherent image, and the extricated scenes of a high-„ resolution toady image will„ be evaluated to be„ able to distinguish between them specifically by obsequious photos. The outcomes will be obtained using the„ Geographic data framework (GIS„Version 9.2) application.

A Decrease in Carbon Absorption Potential Due to Timber Harvesting in Natural Forest

Timber harvesting is an activity in producing wood to supply the lumber industry. However, timber harvesting brought consequences such as decreasing carbon sequestration potential of natural forests. This study aimed to determine the reduction in the potential for carbon sequestration due to timber harvesting in natural forests. Data were collected using non-destructive methods through stand inventory before felling for all tree species, cruising results report, and tree distribution maps. Biomass was calculated using the existing allometric, and carbon stocks were calculated using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change method. The results showed that there were 238 trees (65.29 m3) of stands in the study area (6 ha) based on stand inventory before felling. Potential biomass and carbon storage before trees felling were 16.12 ton ha-1 and 7.58 ton ha-1, respectively. Potential biomass and carbon storage after tree felling were 5.15 ton ha-1 and 2.42 ton ha-1, respectively. Carbon absorption before and after tree felling is 28.37 ton CO2eq ha-1 and 4.44 ton CO2eq ha-1, respectively. Carbon emissions during tree felling was 18.93 ton CO2eq ha-1 (81.00%). The application of environmentally friendly wood harvesting shall be carried out appropriately to minimize a decrease in carbon absorption from timber harvesting. Keywords: biomass, carbon emission, timber harvesting

Within-Canopy Distribution of Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) Infestation in Avocado Orchards

Native to the neotropics, the avocado seed moth Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) is a specialist pest of the family Lauraceae and considered one of the most important pests of avocados worldwide. However, little is known regarding its spatial distribution within a single tree. Therefore, we designed a study to evaluate the effects of canopy height and aspect (i.e., side of the tree) on fruit infestation by S. catenifer larvae in avocados. The study was conducted in three commercial organic avocado orchards located in São Paulo, Brazil. At each orchard, 40 fruit from 30 random trees were sampled weekly from October 2017 through February 2018, evaluating the number of fruits infested by S. catenifer larvae at three tree heights (bottom, middle, and top). In addition, fruits on the ground were also sampled. We also evaluated the effect of the side of the tree where the fruits were collected, i.e., whether they were on the side facing the east (sunrise) or the west (sunset). Within the avocado canopy, the level of fruit infestation by S. catenifer larvae was significantly higher at the top of the trees than in the middle and bottom. Fruit on the ground had lower levels of infestation than those on the tree canopy. The level of fruit infestation was also higher on the side of avocado trees facing the east (sunrise). Understanding the within-tree distribution of S. catenifer will help to better target monitoring and control activities against this pest in avocados.

Study on the Stability of Slopes Reinforced by Composite Vegetation Combined with a Geogrid under Rainfall Conditions

The planting of shrubs and trees on geogrid-reinforced slopes is an important ecological slope protection method that is frequently implemented in the rainy areas of southern China. First, this paper analyzes the soil-fixing principle of the geogrid and root system and demonstrates the feasibility of using composite vegetation of shrubs and trees to reinforce the slope with a geogrid. Using the Yushi Expressway project in Guizhou, we conducted a stability analysis of slopes under different working conditions and different reinforcement modes. We determined that the ecological protection method of combining composite vegetation with a geogrid can effectively increase the stability of slopes. The maximum displacement of the ecological slope under rainfall conditions was reduced by 82% compared with the original slope, and the overall stability was improved by 35%. Four factors affect the slope stability: the depth of shrub reinforcement, depth of anchorage of trees, distribution of trees, and spacing of the geogrids. An orthogonal analysis considering these 4 factors with 3 levels was implemented. The following optimal combination was obtained to ensure ecological protection under rainfall conditions: a shrub reinforcement depth of 0.6 m, a tree anchorage depth of 3 m, a grid spacing of 0.4 m, and a top-sparse and bottom-dense tree distribution. The combined slope protection schematic was applied to the Yushi Expressway project in Guizhou, and a strong reinforced slope protection effect was observed.

Exploring Fruit Tree Species as Multifunctional Greenery: A Case of Its Distribution in Indonesian Cities

Planting multifunctional trees (e.g., fruit species) in cities can promote genetic conservation, economic activity, ecosystem services, and social cohesion. However, in Indonesia, the relationship between the abundance of fruit tree species and different city characteristics, including their involvement in the national smart city project, is still unknown. In this study, published reports and field surveys were used to evaluate the fruit tree distribution and its relationship with the characteristics of 224 of 514 Indonesian cities in order to identify tree species for multifunctional city greenery. This is the first study on the distribution of fruit tree species at the national level. The study identified 151 fruit species of 90 genera and 40 families, including large-sized fruits, such as avocados, breadfruit, coconuts, durians, jackfruit, and mangos. On average, cities contained 54 tree species, of which 21 (38.9%) were fruit trees. These findings indicate that cities are important contributors to the genetic conservation of local fruit trees, which can be further evaluated as new city greenery. However, a city’s involvement in the smart city project bore no relationship (p > 0.05) with the number of identified fruit species. Conversely, non-fruit species tended to be more diverse in smart cities. Since the presence of fruit species is associated with the city population, geographic position, climate, altitude, and attitude towards the fragility of sustainable conservation, introducing and maintaining these species as city greenery requires advocacy to city stakeholders.

Forest Structure and Tree Species Composition at Kuala Langat South Peat Swamp Forest, Selangor, Malaysia

Kuala Langat South Forest Reserve (KLSFR) was the main highlight when Selangor State Agriculture Corporation proposed to acquire the whole of KLSFR (about 6,908 ha) for the establishment of oil palm plantations. Many parties expressed their concern and opposed the plan as it would lead to the destruction of the forest and its biodiversity. As such, this study was aimed to determine the forest structure and tree species composition to conserve and sustainably manage the forest. Seven plots of 40 m x 20 m covering 0.56 ha were established randomly in KLSFR. All trees with 5 cm diameter breast height (DBH) and above were tagged, measured and identified. Voucher specimens were then taken for further verification purposes. The floristic composition of KLSFR consists of 335 individuals represented by 47 tree species from 21 families. Annonaceae, Guttiferaceae and Myrsticaceae were the most speciose families with five species recorded for each family. Goniothalamus malayanus and Koompassia malaccensis were considered to have absolute dominance at the study site with Important Value index of 14.73 % and 14.19 %, respectively. KLSFR recorded low Shannon-Weiner Diversity index of H’ = 2.85 (H’max = 3.81) and Margalef’s Richness Index with DMG = 7.91. Evenness (E) index of 0.75 portrayed that the tree species are almost equally abundant in the study area. Total trees biomass was estimated at 406.90 t/ha, represented by 349.61 t/ha of above ground biomass (AGB) and 57.29 t/ha of below ground biomass (BGB). The study indicated that KLSFR has uniform distribution of individuals with mixed species composition of trees. Tree distribution showed the pattern of De iocourt’s factor procedure (inverse J distribution) where number of tree decreases with the increase in diameter, representing the natural regeneration of the forest.