Sustainability and Health of Urban Natural Resources

Urban trees must survive many unique stresses, such as limited growing space, soil compaction, excessive heat, vandalization, road salt, and non-native insect and disease pests that tend to arrive in urban areas. Urbanization, non-native horticultural species, and soils affect forest productivity and nutrient cycling in and around urban areas. In addition, parks that are not adequately maintained may be overrun with non-native invasive plants. Northern Research Station (NRS) scientists are developing maps and tables that display the potential susceptibility of urban forests to various native and non-native pests and the economic values of the urban forest resources nationally.

Selected Research Studies

The urban forest effects (UFORE) model
This model allows individual communities and cities to easily, accurately, and cost-effectively quantify their urban forest structure and its effect on air quality and atmospheric carbon dioxide and other urban forest functions and values. New UFORE modules are being developed to assess urban forest effects of stream flows and water quality and for aiding in urban forest sustainability.

Urban forest health monitoring
NRS scientists are working with numerous cooperators in pilot testing a national urban forest inventory and health monitoring system that would establish and monitor field plots within urban areas across the nation. These data can be used to assess changes in urban forest health and tree populations, and detect new pest and disease infestations.