Why is urban tree diversity important?
Urban forests need the diversity of tree species for the same reason that rural forests thrive with a mixture of different trees; they are less susceptible to insect and disease attacks that would affect the entire forest. “Many pathogens attack one genus/species of tree rather than a multitude,” Morris says.
What is tree diversity?
Tree diversity was a key driver of taxon-level and overall forest-associated biodiversity, along with tree functional composition, forest structure, climate and soil. Both tree species richness and functional diversity (variation in functional trait values) were important.
What are urban trees?
An urban forest is a forest, or a collection of trees, that grow within a city, town or a suburb. In a wider sense, it may include any kind of woody plant vegetation growing in and around human settlements. Care and management of urban forests is called urban forestry.
Where is the highest diversity of tree species?
Their analysis revealed that climate is the most important factor; the highest number of tree species can be found in the hot, humid tropics.
Are trees diverse?
On a per-individual basis, tree diversity is higher in the northern hemisphere. This result can be analogized to an imaginary land- scape that is randomly populated by plants belonging to a variety of species, but plant density is higher at one end of the landscape than the other.
Why are trees important for biodiversity?
Why are native woods important for biodiversity? The UK’s native woods and trees are incredibly biodiverse. They support many different species of fungi, lichens, mosses and plants, as well as birds, invertebrates and other animals. Many of these species are threatened and becoming rarer.
What is species diversity science?
Species Diversity is simply the number and relative abundance of species found in a given biological organisation (population, ecosystem, Earth). A biological community is defined by the species that occupy a particular area and the interactions between those species.
Why is diversity important to trees?
Several decades of biodiversity research in grasslands suggest that plant diversity is a key driver of ecosystem functioning; it enhances primary productivity and increases resistance against herbivores. We tested whether tree diversity can simultaneously provide such functions in forest ecosystems.
What is the study of urban trees called?
Urban forestry is the care and management of single trees and tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment.
Why are trees important in cities?
Urban trees are important parts of a city’s infrastructure because they serve as effective air filters, removing harmful pollutants in the air. They also store carbon which helps mitigate the impacts of climate change in and around urban areas.
What is a meaning of diversity?
It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.
How diverse are forests?
Tropical rain forests are some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Different species evolve or adapt at different rates, and many species have complex interrelationships, so it is very difficult to predict exactly to what degree biodiversity will be affected in a given ecosystem.
Is the 10-20-30 rule adequate for tree diversity?
The rule suggests an urban tree population should include no more than 10% of any one species, 20% of any one genus, or 30% of any family.
Why are urban trees low in species diversity?
However, the desire for uniformity, which can be seen in countries all over the world, has created a conflict between the cultural preference for visual uniformity and the practical need for species diversity. Most cities exhibit a low species diversity when it comes to urban trees.
Why are there so few trees in cities?
Most cities exhibit a low species diversity when it comes to urban trees. This may be caused by historical convention combined with the assumption that only a few species would adhere to cultural and design norms.
What are the characteristics of a street tree?
Street tree landscapes typically consist of uniform rows of a single species, generally selected for their high branch clearance from the ground, attractive appearance and high tolerance to urban stresses.