A novel urban planning strategy to increase resilience of Canadian urban forests to global change

City trees and forests provide numerous ecosystem services (e.g. cleaner air, cooler environment, recreation) to human society but they are increasingly threatened by the changing climate, urban sprawl, invasive pests and diseases. This is particularly the case for Eastern Canadian cities that see the need to replace a large proportion of their trees killed by the Emerald ash borer (an invasive exotic insect). Current species choice is mostly based on aesthetics, economics and tradition. If we want to ensure a more resilient tree cover and a sustainable provision of ecosystem services in the future, we urgently need to revise our species selection strategy. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Christian Messier

Student:

Michael Belluau

Partner:

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Forestry

University:

Program:

Elevate