In this third section of Module 1, we look at the structure of urban forests and how it can be measured. What are the characteristics and components of urban forests? What typologies can we use to understand urban forests and their component parts? What tools and techniques can we use to measure urban forests and their characteristics?
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
Identify and describe the characteristics of an urban forest.
List and describe the components of the urban forest.
Identify and describe the characteristics of an urban forest.
List and describe the components of the urban forest.
Describe and evaluate the ways urban forests can be inventoried and assessed.
Identify organizations and individuals involved in urban forest inventory and assessment.
Readings and Discussion Questions (For certificate learning only)
After having seen the lectures in this section and have read the associated texts, it is time to post a couple of discussion questions. Please post one discussion question on the characteristics and components of urban forests, and one on urban forest inventory and assessment.
There are two readings assigned to this part of the course. The paper by McPherson et al. provides a discussion of urban forest structure, how it can be quantified, and how urban forest structure relates to the benefits or ecosystem services that urban forest provides. This reading will get you thinking in terms in urban forest ecosystem services, in preparation for Module 2, which begins next week. The second reading, Chapter 3 in the Routledge Handbook of Urban Forestry gives a comprehensive overview of different techniques and approaches to measuring and monitoring urban forests.
Lecture Recordings
Urban forests are complex urban ecosystems with many component parts and associated functions. Urban foresters can use various typologies to better understand and systematize their study and management of urban forests. Please view Lorien Nesbitt’s lecture on ‘Characteristics and components of urban forests’ to learn about the characteristics of urban forests and their components. You will also learn about different urban forest typologies.
In order to make good urban forest management decisions, urban foresters need to understand the structure, health, distribution, and other characteristics of the urban forests they manage. There are various different methods that may be used to inventory and assess urban forests, from ground-based surveys to remote-sensing based methods. Please view Lorien Nesbitt’s lecture on ‘Urban forest inventory and assessment’ to learn about the different ways in which urban forests can be measured and assessed. You will also learn about how urban forest data can be analysed and what organizations and individuals are often involved in urban forest inventory and assessment.
Mini-lecture Videos
1.3.1 Characteristics and Components of Urban Forests
Post-lecture Mini Quiz (For certificate learning only)
Now it’s time for you to complete an online, multiple choice topic quiz after finishing viewing each lecture for this topic. The main purpose of the quiz is to examine how well you grasp the contents for this topic. The quiz will be open-book, covering contents of the lecture(s) for the topic. You will have 5 mins to complete the quiz. Two attempts are allowed and higher mark will be saved for your grade. There will be 13 online topic quizzes throughout the course with 4-5 questions per quiz, each worth 4-5 points that collectively count for 10% towards the final grade.
When you are ready, click the link Mini Quiz 1.3 or go to left menu > Quizzes > Mini Quiz 1.3 to start taking the quiz.
Topic Summary
This final section of Module I has introduced the ‘urban forest’ to you as the sum of all woodland, trees, and associated vegetation in urban areas. The urban forest starts with a single garden or street tree, and extends all the way to the full urban ecosystem of a city. Urban forest components are highly diverse, and will require their own specific planning and management approaches.
Urban forest inventories and assessments are crucial for obtaining information about the structure, function, and values of an urban forest. This information is needed to guide governance, planning, design, and management.
Topic Self-review (For self learning)
To review what you have learned in the topic, you are encouraged to use the following reflection questions as a study guide to do a self-review for the topic:
What are the key components of the urban forest in your city or town? Which components are the most important, do you think?
Do you know who takes care of the different parts of the urban forest in your city?
Does your city have an urban forest inventory? Is it available to the public?
If you would be asked to undertake an urban forest inventory for your city, where and how would you start?
What can cities with limited resources do to have some form of basic inventory of their urban forest? Which methods or tools can they use?
Graded Assignment(s) for the Week (For certificate learning only)
Photo Assignment 2
At least two photos of ecological components of urban forests prior to Topic 1.3 (due by 12am on Monday of Week 4)
At the end of this Module we ask you once again to go out and explore your home city or town. Please take two photos of different components of the urban forest in your home city. Post these photos on the course discussion board, with a brief description and explanation of these components. Are these components a typical/major part of the urban forestry in your city or town?
All photos need to be posted by Monday of Week 5, at 12 noon, Pacific Time.
Based on the posting of clear photos and good descriptions, you can get up to 10 points (5 for each photo). This photo assignment together with two upcoming assignments of the same kind will comprise 5% of your course grade.
Assignment 1
Please remember that Assignment 1 is due by the end of the week on Friday XX at midnight (PST).
Module I Test
Do not forget taking Module I Test by the end of the week on Friday XX at midnight (PST).
FODE012
Requirements Changed
Topic 1.2: Introduction to Urban Forestry Module I Summary