What Should we Know?An Assessment of Urban Forestry Research Needs in the Pacific Northwest (J Forestry, Jan/Feb 2010)
science about the trees and forests where people live, work, play, and learn
Project collaborators: US Forest Service, PNW Research Station; Univ of Washington, Forest ResourcesFor more information: Dr. Linda Kruger, [email protected]; Dr. Kathleen Wolf, [email protected]
Project methods: Nearly 60 stakeholders (representing private and public sectors, NGOs and academia) provided input about research needs during a two-phase Delphi process in 2006 & 2007. Input was sorted by three themes, based on a model of urban forest sustainability (Clark et al. 1997, J of Arboriculture).
Forest Resource Needs Forest Management Needs
Human Dimensions Needs•address urbanization &
development impacts•health, conservation & retention•aquatic resource quality & stormwater management•habitat loss & fragmentation•invasive species detection & management•climate change & carbon dynamics•adequate tree spaces•loss of biodiversity & ecological complexity
•adequate funding & staff•integrate with other city systems•develop/implement best practices• better policy, code & regulations•political vision, awareness & knowledge•implement ecosystem services/ green infrastructure•conduct consistent & routine management•inventory, assessment & monitoring•programs at regional or landscape scale
•improve public appreciation &
understanding
•lack of public & elected leadership
•understand & recognize human &
economic benefits
•integration across institutions &
agencies
•volunteers & citizen stewards
•private property action & user
conflicts
•enable appropriate uses &
interactions
