Treesearch

Assessing the status of soil nutrients with their corresponding microbial communities provides important information about degraded soils during the restoration of coastal wet pine forests. Net nitrogen mineralization, nitrogen-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and soil microbial biomass were compared with patch-derived volume along a 110-year longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) chronosequence for identifying a trajectory and ecological benchmark during forest restoration. Net nitrogen mineralization rates decreased significantly in the maturing-aged, pine patches, driven by a larger drop in net...

Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax [Pursh] Nutt.) is an herbaceous, evergreen perennial found in higher elevations of the northern Rocky, Sierra Nevada, Klamath, Siskiyou, Cascade and Olympic Mountains and in coastal areas from Washington to northern California. It is used by Native Americans for basketry and is an important floral green, but the conditions needed for reproduction and commercially valuable characteristics are not well known. We studied how the light environment affects size, morphology, color, and reproduction of a lowland, southeastern Olympic Peninsula beargrass population. We...

This magazine article is an informal review of a wide range of research concerning environmental equity, specifically regarding human health benefits derived from experiences of nearby nature in urbanized places. The article recounts key issues of environmental equity, including green jobs and training programs. The primary purpose of the article is to share current knowledge about equitable access to trees, parks and gardens. The actionable information is aimed at professional and manager audiences who may have an interest in urban design and planning, as well as urban forestry. A...

This magazine article is an informal review of a wide range of research, spanning multiple decades, concerning human health benefits derived from experiences of nearby nature in urbanized places. The actionable information is aimed at professional and manager audiences who may have an interest in urban design and planning, as well as urban forestry. The article begins with a historical overview of the evolution of infrastructure systems in cities, spanning the time from ‘filthy cities’ to implementation of grey infrastructure to contemporary green infrastructure innovations. It promotes an...

Introduction: Interrelated social and ecological challenges demand an understanding of how environmental change and management decisions affect human well-being. This paper outlines a framework for measuring human well-being for ecosystem-based management (EBM). We present a prototype that can be adapted and developed for various scales and contexts. Scientists and managers use indicators to assess status and trends in integrated ecosystem assessments (IEAs). To improve the social science rigor and success of EBM, we developed a systematic and transparent approach for evaluating indicators...

BACKGROUND: At a time of increasing disconnectedness from nature, scientific interest in the potential health benefits of nature contact has grown. Research in recent decades has yielded substantial evidence, but large gaps remain in our understanding. OBJECTIVES: We propose a research agenda on nature contact and health, identifying principal domains of research and key questions that, if answered, would provide the basis for evidence-based public health interventions. DISCUSSION: We identify research questions in seven domains: a) mechanistic biomedical studies; b) exposure science; c)...

Decades of research studies demonstrate links between healthy environment, healthy lifestyles, and healthy people. This study evaluated the correlations between young adult conservation workers’ perceived stress, personal effectiveness, and nature experience using quantitative and qualitative social science methods. The study cohort numbered nearly 300 individuals serving on small crews for an entire year, and were dispersed across Washington State (USA) to participate in conservation projects in rural to urban landscapes. Pre- and post-test surveys, using validated measures of perceived...

This book is a first edition technical handbook on a topic that is gaining ever greater attention around the world – urban forestry. Written for international audiences, the book covers a range of conceptual and technical content, including urban forest assessment, planning, and best management practices. Chapters address the full scale of city tree knowledge, from arboricultural activity concerning individual trees to operations across an entire city. Authors were invited to contribute by the editors based on their expertise, so the volume contains the best available science and knowledge...

The magazine article is an informal review of a wide range of research, spanning multiple decades, concerning human health benefits derived from experiences of nearby nature in urbanized places. The actionable information is aimed at professional, manager, and concerned citizen audiences who may have an interest in urban design and planning, as well as urban forestry. A framework of benefits is presented, including Active Living, Stress Reduction, Mental Health and Function, Healing and Therapy, and Social Cohesion. In addition, the article offers suggestions for integrating the research...

This magazine article is an informal review of a wide range of research, spanning multiple decades, concerning human health benefits derived from experiences of nearby nature in urbanized places. The actionable information is aimed at professional and manager audiences who may have an interest in urban design and planning, as well as urban forestry. Urban parks range in scale from large regional parks that are destinations for recreation, to local parks that contain natural areas and sports facilities, to small parks that serve a specific community or neighborhood, including pocket parks....