Assessing Climate Risk to Urban Forests

The persistence of urban forests and the ecosystem benefits they provide are threatened by climate change, however systematic assessments of causes of tree dieback and mortality by local governments are rare. Long-term monitoring studies and adaptive management are needed to identify and prevent climate change-driven failures and mortality. The District of Columbia is one jurisdiction that does have an ongoing risk assessment program, including a review of climate-adapted tree species and biodiversity needs.  This webinar will present the findings of recent studies on this topic and the process that the DC Urban Forest Administration uses for monitoring and adaptive management.

Presenters: 

Cynnamon Dobbs, PhD, Assistant Professor, Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut
Kasey Yturralde, PhD, Forest Health and Community Outreach Specialist, District of Columbia Urban Forest Administration