Benefits vs Costs of Urban Trees in Central Florida Case Study: Central Florida The U.S. Forest Service conducted a research project to determine benefits and costs of urban forests in Central Florida using Orlando, Florida… Read More
Urban Natural Areas #1 – Disturbance II To determine the scale at which this non-equilibrium disturbance pattern is appropriate, Pickett and Thompson (1978) investigated what they termed the “minimum dynamic area” that could sustain the… Read More
Disturbance and Urban Natural Areas The dominant paradigm of ecology through the 1970s was the equilibrium, “balance of nature” perspective. Ecosystems were thought to have a stable point equilibrium, a climax state, structurally and functionally… Read More
Habitat fragmentation Habitat fragmentation occurs when large, contiguous areas of habitat are reduced in area and divided into two or more smaller units (Wilcove et al. 1986). The fragmented units are isolated from one another… Read More
Conservation of Regional Biological Diversity Biological diversity refers to the diversity of all ecological hierarchies including genetics, populations, species, communities and ecosystems. It is important to include the spatial arrangements of each of these elements… Read More
Edge Effects on Habitat Habitat fragmentation leads to increased edge and shifts in microclimate along the edge. Edge influences several abiotic aspects of habitat including light, temperature, humidity, and wind (Schelhas and Greenberg 1996). Edge… Read More
In the video series, ‘Communities Benefit from Energy-Saving Trees’, University of Florida Extension Forester Robert Northrop discusses how trees create a sense of place; provide a comfortable environment to seek respite in our day-to-day lives;… Read More
As managers and stewards of the state’s urban forests we often not acknowledging the important social values. We have a responsibility to not only provide technical assistance in the conservation and restoration of the urban… Read More
Hurricane Pruning and Topping of Trees – Dangerous Myths ‘Hurricane pruning or trimming’ refers to the type of trimming that is often promoted by untrained tree workers who believe that by cleaning out the interior… Read More
A hurricane can cause large scale damage, quickly changing our backyards and communities. Homes and buildings may be damaged or destroyed, power lines down, and trees broken and torn. In the wake such change, people often experience… Read More
