Photo by Ma1974 At Green Bridge Growers, we're always interested in adding trees to the landscape appropriately because of their impact on mitigating climate change. Researchers at Boston University have found that trees on the outer edge of a forest or wooded area grow faster and differently than trees on the inside of a forest. The ones on the outer edge are able to absorb more carbon dioxide than those on the interior. They also found that soil on the edge of a forest in urban areas can store more CO2 than soil in rural areas.
According to the scientists, these findings indicate the carbon emissions forests take in are underestimated, but may diminish as the effects of climate change become more severe.
According to one of the studies the scientists conducted, trees on the edge of forests grow nearly twice as fast as trees on the interior of the forest, which increases the outer trees’ potential to serve as a carbon sink.
Another study they conducted looked at the soils at the edge of forests, and it found a significant difference between rural and urban soils. In rural areas, the warmer temperatures (compared to the interior of the forest) caused microorganisms to work harder at breaking down organic matter such as leaves, which resulted in more carbon dioxide being released on the outside edge of the forest than on the interior. But in urban areas, the soils on the edge of urban forests didn’t release as much carbon as their equivalents in rural areas. According to the scientists, it’s too hot and dry in urban areas for carbon dioxide-releasing microbes to prosper.
These findings suggest the conservation value of forest fragments should be reassessed.
According to the scientists, these findings indicate the carbon emissions forests take in are underestimated, but may diminish as the effects of climate change become more severe.
According to one of the studies the scientists conducted, trees on the edge of forests grow nearly twice as fast as trees on the interior of the forest, which increases the outer trees’ potential to serve as a carbon sink.
Another study they conducted looked at the soils at the edge of forests, and it found a significant difference between rural and urban soils. In rural areas, the warmer temperatures (compared to the interior of the forest) caused microorganisms to work harder at breaking down organic matter such as leaves, which resulted in more carbon dioxide being released on the outside edge of the forest than on the interior. But in urban areas, the soils on the edge of urban forests didn’t release as much carbon as their equivalents in rural areas. According to the scientists, it’s too hot and dry in urban areas for carbon dioxide-releasing microbes to prosper.
These findings suggest the conservation value of forest fragments should be reassessed.
Photo by La Citta Vita Urban forests “provide stormwater control, filter air pollution, [and] reduce heat,” among many other benefits. As such, groups like the Indiana Forest Alliance try to convince Indianapolis city leaders to take action to protect Indianapolis’ urban forests.
The IFA recently introduced its “Forests for Indy” strategy for protecting the city’s urban forests, which cover about 59 square miles. According to the IFA, 9 square miles of urban forest are within city property and protected by city ordinances. But the other 50 square miles are privately owned and at risk of being developed. The committee will meet again this month (April 2022) to discuss possible solutions to this problem, to figure out a way for the city council to act to protect existing urban forests as well as plant new ones.
The IFA recently introduced its “Forests for Indy” strategy for protecting the city’s urban forests, which cover about 59 square miles. According to the IFA, 9 square miles of urban forest are within city property and protected by city ordinances. But the other 50 square miles are privately owned and at risk of being developed. The committee will meet again this month (April 2022) to discuss possible solutions to this problem, to figure out a way for the city council to act to protect existing urban forests as well as plant new ones.
Resources:
-The Nature Conservancy, “How Urban Trees Can Save Lives”
-South Carolina Forestry Commission, “Benefits of Urban Trees”
-Chris Tidmarsh
-The Nature Conservancy, “How Urban Trees Can Save Lives”
-South Carolina Forestry Commission, “Benefits of Urban Trees”
-Chris Tidmarsh
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