In urban ecosystems, trees and shrubs and the ecosystem functions and habitat they provide are controlled by humans. Development, landscaping, and maintenance processes all influence what tree and shrub species make up the vegetation community. Different ecosystem functions, habitat quality, and habitat quantities are provided on office developments. Greater provision of e.g. native conifer habitat is possible using currently existing developments as models.
Vegetation on commercial property varies a lot. Many parcels are dominated by grass and ornamental deciduous trees and some are dominated by native shrubs and conifers. Sampling design needs to account for this variation.
Sites either have native trees & shrubs or ornamental non-native trees & shrubs.
Greater provision of native conifer habitat is possible using currently existing developments as models.
Property owner attitudes and actions are central to urban vegetation & thus habitat. Unlike residential property, landowner decisions about development & landscaping are more important than e.g. neighborhood income.
Interested in how you can apply these ideas to your property or tree protection policy?
