Drivers of Vegetation Dynamics in Urban Forest Patches

Abstract

Cities are turning to ecological restoration of urban forests to improve air quality, ameliorate urban heat island effects, improve storm water infiltration, and provide other social and ecological benefits. In New York City, ecological restoration of urban forest patches began in the 1980s, with a focus on restoring native forest structure and composition in urban park natural areas invaded by woody non-native plants. Results of research examining effects of these efforts after 15–20 years will be presented. Current outgrowths of this long-term study will also be discussed, including investigation of soil seed bank effects and regional scale synthesis of biodiversity patterns of urban forest patches.

Presenters

Image
A headshot of Lea Johnson

Lea Johnson

Dr. Lea Johnson is an ecologist who joins basic research in plant ecology with applications to land management and design. She collaborates with land managers to understand the ecology of environments changed by people and to advance science underpinning successful interventions to improve ecosystem health and functions in an urbanizing world. She is interested in processes that unfold over time, at multiple spatial and temporal scales.

Image
A headshot of Lea Johnson

Lea Johnson

Dr. Lea Johnson is an ecologist who joins basic research in plant ecology with applications to land management and design. She collaborates with land managers to understand the ecology of environments changed by people and to advance science underpinning successful interventions to improve ecosystem health and functions in an urbanizing world. She is interested in processes that unfold over time, at multiple spatial and temporal scales.

Presenters
Lea Johnson, University of Maryland
Date
Time
11:00 a.m. ET
Location
SESYNC – 1 Park Place, Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401
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