1
|
Mailloux BJ, McGillis C, Maenza-Gmelch T, Culligan PJ, He MZ, Kaspi G, Miley M, Komita-Moussa E, Sanchez TR, Steiger E, Zhao H, Cook EM. Large-scale determinants of street tree growth rates across an urban environment. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304447. [PMID: 38990886 PMCID: PMC11239067 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Urban street trees offer cities critical environmental and social benefits. In New York City (NYC), a decadal census of every street tree is conducted to help understand and manage the urban forest. However, it has previously been impossible to analyze growth of an individual tree because of uncertainty in tree location. This study overcomes this limitation using a three-step alignment process for identifying individual trees with ZIP Codes, address, and species instead of map coordinates. We estimated individual growth rates for 126,362 street trees (59 species and 19% of 2015 trees) using the difference between diameter at breast height (DBH) from the 2005 and 2015 tree censuses. The tree identification method was verified by locating and measuring the DBH of select trees and measuring a set of trees annually for over 5 years. We examined determinants of tree growth rates and explored their spatial distribution. In our newly created NYC tree growth database, fourteen species have over 1000 unique trees. The three most abundant tree species vary in growth rates; London Planetree (n = 32,056, 0.163 in/yr) grew the slowest compared to Honeylocust (n = 15,967, 0.356 in/yr), and Callery Pear (n = 15,902, 0.334 in/yr). Overall, Silver Linden was the fastest growing species (n = 1,149, 0.510 in/yr). Ordinary least squares regression that incorporated biological factors including size and the local urban form indicated that species was the major factor controlling growth rates, and tree stewardship had only a small effect. Furthermore, tree measurements by volunteer community scientists were as accurate as those made by NYC staff. Examining city wide patterns of tree growth indicates that areas with a higher Social Vulnerability Index have higher than expected growth rates. Continued efforts in street tree planting should utilize known growth rates while incorporating community voices to better provide long-term ecosystem services across NYC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Mailloux
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Clare McGillis
- Department of Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Patricia J Culligan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Mike Z He
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Gabriella Kaspi
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Madeline Miley
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Ella Komita-Moussa
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tiffany R Sanchez
- Department of Environment Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Ella Steiger
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Haokai Zhao
- Department of Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth M Cook
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Westfall JA, Nowak DJ, Henning JG, Lister TW, Edgar CB, Majewsky MA, Sonti NF. Crown width models for woody plant species growing in urban areas of the U.S. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-00988-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
3
|
The Effect of Tree Crown Allometry on Community Dynamics in Mixed-Species Stands versus Monocultures. A Review and Perspectives for Modeling and Silvicultural Regulation. FORESTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/f10090810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many recent studies have shown that the structure, density, and productivity of mixed-species stands can differ from the weighted mean of monospecific stands of the respective species. The tree and stand properties emerging by inter-specific neighborhood should be considered in models for understanding and practical management. A promising approach for this is a more realistic representation of the individual tree allometry in models and management concepts, as tree allometry determines many structural and functional aspects at the tree and stand level. Therefore, this paper is focused on the crown allometry in mixed and mono-specific stands. Firstly, we review species-specific differences in the crown allometry in monospecific stands. Secondly, we show how species-specific differences and complementarities in crown allometry can emerge in mixed-species stands. Thirdly, the consequences of allometric complementarity for the canopy packing density will be analyzed. Fourthly, we trace the crown allometry from the tree level to the stand density and show the relevance for the self-thinning in mixed versus monospecific stands. Fifth, the consequence of the findings for modeling and regulating tree and stand growth will be discussed. The review deals mainly with widespread even-aged, mono-layered stands, but the main results apply for more heterogeneous stands analogously.
Collapse
|
4
|
Rötzer T, Rahman MA, Moser-Reischl A, Pauleit S, Pretzsch H. Process based simulation of tree growth and ecosystem services of urban trees under present and future climate conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 676:651-664. [PMID: 31051370 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Global processes of urban growth lead to severe environmental impacts such as temperature increase with an intensification of the urban heat island effect, and hydrological changes with far reaching consequences for plant growth and human health and well-being. Urban trees can help to mitigate the negative effects of climate change by providing ecosystem services such as carbon storage, shading, cooling by transpiration or reduction of rainwater runoff. The extent of each ecosystem service is closely linked with the tree species as well as with a tree's age, size, structure and vitality. To evaluate the ecosystem services of urban trees, the process-based growth model CityTree was developed which is able to estimate not only tree growth but also the species-specific ecosystem services including carbon storage, transpiration and runoff, shading, and cooling by transpiration. The model was parametrized for the species small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata), robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia), plane (Platanus×acerifolia) and horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). The model validation for tree growth (stem diameter increment, coefficient of correlation=0.76) as well as for the water balance (transpiration, coefficient of correlation=0.92) seems plausible and realistic. Tree growth and ecosystem services were simulated and analyzed for Central European cities both under current climate conditions and for the future climate scenarios. The simulations revealed that urban trees can significantly improve the urban climate and mitigate climate change effects. The quantity of the improvements depends on tree species and tree size as well as on the specific site conditions. Such simulation scenarios can be a proper basis for planning options to mitigate urban climate changes in individual cities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Rötzer
- Technical University Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany.
| | - M A Rahman
- Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramann-Straße 6, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - A Moser-Reischl
- Technical University Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - S Pauleit
- Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramann-Straße 6, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - H Pretzsch
- Technical University Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Perception of Urban Trees by Polish Tree Professionals vs. Nonprofessionals. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11010211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sustainable urban forests require tree acceptance and support. Two groups of respondents, professionals (working in urban green areas) and individuals (with no professional connection with trees) revealed their attitudes towards trees by assessing statements in a survey questionnaire. Similar general attitude from professionals and nonprofessionals towards the examined benefits and harms related to urban trees was observed. Tree benefits were perceived as much more important than the annoyance they might cause. However, 6% of nonprofessionals found only negative aspects in trees, proving to be arboriphobes. No arboriphobes and no “Tree sceptics” were among the professionals. Around 40% of the respondents in the two groups found the number of trees in the surrounding areas too low. The nuisance caused by trees was seen as more disturbing by younger and lower-educated professionals. Women tended to assess trees as more attractive and as having a stronger influence on socioeconomic contributions than men. Men dominated the “Tree indifferent” group. The attractiveness of trees and their impact on socioeconomic contributions were related to the place of residence and the level of education among the nonprofessionals. The level of education of the nonprofessionals was also connected to being clustered into one of the four abovementioned groups of respondents. A majority of medium and big city dwellers as well as a minority of villagers were in the “Tree liking” cluster.
Collapse
|
7
|
Dahlhausen J, Rötzer T, Biber P, Uhl E, Pretzsch H. Urban climate modifies tree growth in Berlin. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2018; 62:795-808. [PMID: 29218447 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Climate, e.g., air temperature and precipitation, differs strongly between urban and peripheral areas, which causes diverse life conditions for trees. In order to compare tree growth, we sampled in total 252 small-leaved lime trees (Tilia cordata Mill) in the city of Berlin along a gradient from the city center to the surroundings. By means of increment cores, we are able to trace back their growth for the last 50 to 100 years. A general growth trend can be shown by comparing recent basal area growth with estimates from extrapolating a growth function that had been fitted with growth data from earlier years. Estimating a linear model, we show that air temperature and precipitation significantly influence tree growth within the last 20 years. Under consideration of housing density, the results reveal that higher air temperature and less precipitation led to higher growth rates in high-dense areas, but not in low-dense areas. In addition, our data reveal a significantly higher variance of the ring width index in areas with medium housing density compared to low housing density, but no temporal trend. Transferring the results to forest stands, climate change is expected to lead to higher tree growth rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Dahlhausen
- Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
| | - Thomas Rötzer
- Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Peter Biber
- Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Enno Uhl
- Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Hans Pretzsch
- Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| |
Collapse
|