CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

LEAVING THE WOOD FOR THE TREES:

Urban tree management impacts arboreal ecosystem service

efficiency, a citizen science study.

Dr Claire L. Narraway, Research Manager, Earthwatch Europe

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

OUTLINE

• Introduction to Earthwatch

• The Challenge

• Our Research

• Results

• Conclusions/Implications

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

EARTHWATCH

Global environmental NGO that brings people,

science, and nature together to tackle today’s

key environmental challenges.

Uncover problem

Research scale of issues

Convene stakeholders to understand &

act

Research how the problem

works

Research & apply solutions

Educate to inspire action and behaviour

change

Establish stewardship & embed action

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

EARTHWATCH

• Create knowledge through scientific research.

• Inspire hands-on action.

• Work with:

– General public

– Schools

– Businesses

– Policy makers

– Scientists.

– Practitioners.

– Government.

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

EARTHWATCH APPROACHES

Science

Engagement

Solving the problems that matter to

policy makers and business:

- Scientific field research.

- Method and tool development.

- Desk study and meta-analyses.

- Knowledge transfer.

Providing transformative engagement

experiences:

- Education programmes.

- Teacher and scientist training.

- Business leadership.

- Community engagement.

Impact

Thriving places

to live and work

Sustainable

Agriculture

Freshwater

Coasts

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

CITIZEN SCIENCE

The practice of public participation and

collaboration in scientific research to increase

scientific knowledge.

Benefits:

• Opening up of science.

• Awareness, empowerment and engagement.

• Global challenges require global collaboration.

• Mutually beneficial partnership for scientists and the

citizen scientist.

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

THE CHALLENGE

Over 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas

that are ill-equipped to cope with the rise in extreme

weather events induced by climate change.

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

THE CHALLENGE

• Urban areas are characterised as having substantial impervious surface cover and high

population density.

• Increased flood risk from surplus rainwater & extreme river water levels

• Urban heat island effect exacerbated by increased heat generation and hampering of cooling

processes.

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

NATURE AS SOLUTION

Nature-Based Solutions

Solutions that are inspired and

supported by nature, which can

simultaneously provide

environmental, social, and

economic benefits and help build

resilience.

European Commission

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

OUR RESEARCH

Aim:

To explore the effect of different land management

approaches on key ecosystem services provided by

trees and elucidate the trade-offs between them.

Micro

climate

Soil nutrients

Soil

Hydrology

Tree

Vitality

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

THE TEAM

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

TREES

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TILIA SPP.

• Lime trees/lime bushes/linden/basswood

• Large, deciduous trees that often reach 40m high.

• Long lived.

• Pollinated by insect species.

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

STUDY SITES

Cannon Hill, Birmingham

Kew Gardens, London

Les Fontaines, Chantilly

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MANAGEMENT TYPES

Unmanaged Street Trees

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PREDICTIONS

Unmanaged Managed Street Tree

Vitality

Growth GREATEST MID LOWEST

Canopy Cover MOST MID LEAST

Chlorophyll MOST MID LEAST

Soil

Soil Organic

Matter

MOST MID LEAST

Soil Compaction LEAST MOST MID

Soil Moisture HIGHEST MID LEAST

Infiltration Rate FASTEST MID SLOWEST

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

METHODS

Tree Vitality

Soil Hydrology and Nutrient Content

Colour Texture Compaction Conductivity Infiltration Samples

Canopy CoverTree Growth PépiPIAFChlorophyll ContentLeaf Size

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

RESULTS (PRELIMINARY)

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

RESULTS (PRELIMINARY)

Unmanaged Managed Street Tree

Vitality

Growth GREATEST MID LOWEST

Canopy Cover MOST MID LEAST

Chlorophyll LEAST MID MOST

Soil

Soil Organic

Matter

MOST LEAST LEAST

Soil Compaction LEAST MOST MID

Soil Moisture HIGHEST LEAST MID

Infiltration Rate SLOWEST SLOWEST FASTEST

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

CONCLUSIONS (PRELIMINARY)

- Street trees have potential to be excellent for flood mitigation.

- Current street designs might not maximise this benefit.

- Trade-off between infiltration potential of soil and tree vitality.

- Trade-off in investment between growth and chlorophyll investment.

- Effective management requires awareness of the trade-offs between different services.

CREATING KNOWLEDGE. INSPIRING ACTION.

THANKYOU

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WANT MORE?www.earthwatch.org.uk

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