Climate Resilience in Allegheny's Urban Forest: A Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Sonen, Julia

Climate Resilience in Allegheny's Urban Forest: A Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Author(s)

Sonen, Julia

Date Issued

April 29, 2024

Abstract

Urban forests consist of forest ecosystems in urban spaces. These forests provide many ecosystem services when managed correctly and can form a valuable part of urban life for humans and other ecosystem users. However, climate and pest threats are increasing the need for an urban forest that is climate resilient. What does an urban forest management plan focused on the creation of a climate resilient Allegheny campus look like? I analyze stakeholders needs and prior research to develop a vision, inventory, and strategic plan to increase climate resiliency on Allegheny’s campus. The inventory includes 727 trees. Only a few of these trees are recently planted, only a handful are larger than 35 inches diameter at breast height, and 13% belong to one species - red maple. The majority, 60%, of the trees are native to North America, and many face dramatic threats from pests, sometimes with replacement costs over $100,000 per pest. The future of Allegheny’s urban forest is dependent on the resilient management plan which will maintain the tree canopy and the environmental services of the urban forest without compromising the campus's aesthetics. The tree inventory is available for viewing here (https://arcg.is/0rWv0H0). The managment plan is attached in Appendix 3.

Major

Environmental Science and Sustainability

Honors

Environmental Science and Sustainability, 2024

First Reader(s)

Bowden, Richard D.