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Chapter 2: Basic Ecological Principles for Restoration1
Mary L. Duryea, Eliana Kämpf Binelli, and Henry L. Gholz2Welcome to Chapter 2 of the publication Restoring the Urban Forest Ecosystem. This publication consists of 10 chapters available only in PDF format. The chapters explain basic ecological principles for the urban forest's water, soil, plant and animal communities. They discuss problems common in the urban forest such as aquatic eutrophication, soil aeration, invasive plants and loss of biodiversity. Solutions, strategies, examples, and additional resources are presented to help make urban forest restoration projects successful.
Abstract
Traditionally the urban forest has been viewed as trees in the city - often along streets and in small groups in other public places such as parks. However, another way to look at the urban forest is as an ecosystem, including many more living components than trees (people, shrubs, herbs, animals, and microorganisms), a physical environment (light, moisture, soil, rocks), energy flow from the sun and water and nutrient cycles. A first step in reorienting our view of urban forests and their management is to review some important ecological principles and to see how they apply to restoration and management. The goal of this chapter is to examine urban forests as ecosystems and to discuss some of the opportunities for managing urban forest ecosystems to provide more natural benefits to communities and cities. By comparing the present state of the urban forest ecosystem (UFE) to natural ecosystems, we can learn how to manage the UFE for some of the natural benefits it can provide. These include energy conservation, stormwater management, wildlife conservation, and recycling or solid waste management. The urban forest ecosystem is an open system with energy and materials constantly entering and leaving the system. Producers (mainly green plants) and consumers (organisms dependent on living and dead plant and animal matter) make up the living portion of all ecosystems which are linked together in complex networks called food webs. Cities are largely consumers relying on production of food, energy and natural resource from outer agricultural, forested and other natural areas. The urban forest ecosystem can provide many opportunities for ameliorating the drain and stress on our natural resources. For example, by cooling the city with a forest canopy, we are less dependent on outside natural resources for air conditioning. By providing natural areas for water infiltration, storage and evaporation of rainwater, the wastewater from our streets and other impervious surfaces is reduced. When leaves, branches, and grass-clippings are left on-site instead of being removed, these natural materials sustain the natural nutrient cycle and provide the same benefits that we ascribe to mulches in gardens and landscapes. Urban forests can also help reduce atmospheric CO2 build-up in two ways by reducing fossil fuel (energy) use and by increasing carbon storage. Finally, the UFE can provide wildlife habitat and help with the movement and conservation of some organisms through connectivity. Seven guidelines to restore and manage the urban forest ecosystem are: (1) Restore and manage the UFE to decrease consumption and contribute to conservation; (2) Restore and manage the UFE for its water cycling benefits; (3) Restore and manage the nutrient cycle within the UFE; (4) Restore and manage the UFE to support greater biodiversity; (5) Restore natural forest ecosystems in the city; (6) Educate policy makers, city managers and the public about the benefits of a healthy UFE; and (7) Incorporate UFE management and restoration into urban and regional planning.To view the complete chapter, click here .
Footnotes
1. This document is FOR 91, one of a series of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date August 2001. Reviewed January 2008. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Mary L. Duryea, Professor and Extension Forester, Eliana Kämpf Binelli, former Extension Forester, and Henry L. Gholz, Professor, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
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