Speaker
Description
Urban street trees play a crucial role in greening initiatives and provide multiple ecosystem services that contribute to urban sustainability. However, among the various ecosystem services, the aesthetic and utilitarian values of street trees are often overlooked. While native species are generally preferred for their ecological benefits, certain non-native tree species may offer cultural and practical advantages. These advantages include drought and poor-soil tolerance, which reduce maintenance costs, as well as aesthetic and economic benefits from vibrant floral displays, and potential medicinal or edible uses.
This study examines the case, the City of Perth, Australia, which has been internationally recognized as a 2023 Tree City of the World. The study explores the influence of local government policies, such as the Tree Protection Policy, Urban Forest Plan 2016-2036, and Street Tree Guide 2023, on urban tree planting, management and species selection. Perth’s urban forest composition with over 16,000 street and park trees is analyzed in terms of species diversity and the ratio of native to non-native species.
Using open-access GIS street tree data (COP, 2019) provided by the Perth city government, this study assesses the practical value of urban trees by integrating data from the Plants for a Future (PFAF, 2024) database. This database categorizes trees based on their edible, medicinal, and other utilitarian values, as outlined by Hurley and Emery (2018). The aesthetic evaluation incorporates the concept of showy tree volume, considering flowering periods and overall plant mass, as proposed by Lee et al. (2021). By analyzing these dimensions, this research highlights the cultural significance of street trees and compares findings with studies from Northern Hemisphere cities. The results aim to address knowledge gaps in the application of these evaluation tools to Southern Hemisphere urban environments.
This study contributes to the understanding of the aesthetic and practical contributions of street trees in urban settings, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to species selection that considers both ecological and cultural values. The findings may inform urban forestry practices and policy-making, ensuring that urban tree management aligns with sustainability and cultural heritage objectives.
References
COP (2019) Trees in the City. [Online] available at: https://perth.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9325b7b3081c4fa294b556b0de1040aa
Hurley, P.T. & Emery, M.R. (2018) Locating provisioning ecosystem services in urban forests: Forgeable woody species in New York City, USA. Landscape Urban Plan. 170: 266-275.
Lee, L.S.H., Zhang, H. & Jim, C.Y. (2021) Serviceable tree volume: An alternative tool to assess ecosystem services provided by ornamental trees in urban forests. Urban For. & Urban Gree. 59, 127003.
PFAF (2024) Plants For A Future: A Resource And Information Centre For Edible And Otherwise Useful Plants. [Online] available at: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx
| Keywords | urban forestry; ecosystem services; sustainable urban planning; greening policy |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
