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Chapter 6: Restoring the Hydrological Cycle in the Urban Forest Ecosystem1
Lawrence V. Korhnak2Welcome to Chapter 6 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
Forests provide a protective cover for the landscape and cycle much of the precipitation back to the atmosphere. They are essential components of many aquatic ecosystems. When native forests are removed and replaced with impervious surfaces and high maintenance vegetation, much of the water that would have been returned to the atmosphere or percolated into the groundwater, washes off the landscape. The quantity and energy of this runoff erodes landscapes, deteriorates aquatic habitat, and floods human habitat. In addition, the runoff washes away chemicals that have been concentrated on the land to support high maintenance vegetation. Polluted runoff, referred to as non-point source pollution, is our nation's most serious water quality problem. Reestablishing the urban forest can help to protect the landscape and associated aquatic ecosystems. Runoff can be reduced, use of polluting chemicals can be lowered, and aquatic habitat and ecosystem links can be reestablished.To view the complete chapter, click here .
Footnotes
1. This document is part of Circular 1266, and Fact Sheet FOR 95, part of a series. School of Forestry Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published August 2001.2. Lawrence V. Korhnak, Senior Biological Scientist, 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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