Introduction & Outcomes

We start Module II with an introduction to the ‘ecosystem service’ concept, which was coined rather recently in recognition of the many services and benefits humans derive from the world’s ecosystems. After this introduction, we’ll look at two of the four generally used categories of ecosystem services: the supporting ecosystem services and the provisioning ecosystem services.

The supporting services refer to biodiversity and key ecosystem processes that provide the foundation for all other ecosystem services. Provisioning services include all materials we derive from ecosystems, for example in the form of food, water, and energy. Examples will be provided of how urban forestry can produce these services.

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Discuss the ecosystem service concept and the commonly used categories of ecosystem services.
• Explain what is meant with ‘supporting’ and ‘provisioning’ ecosystem services.
• Describe different categories and examples of supporting and provisioning ecosystem services provided by urban forests.

Readings and Discussion Questions (For certificate learning only)

The book chapter by Cynnamon Dobbs and others presents a good introduction to the ecosystem service concept and its application in urban forestry. The chapter by Konijnendijk and Park introduces the role of urban forestry in food production, e.g. through urban foraging and food production. If you want, you can also read the book chapter on urban biodiversity. This week we ask you to post two discussion questions on the course readings. Is there something that stood out and calls for more discussion? Do you agree with the current implementation of the ecosystem service approach?

Lecture Recordings

Please view Cecil Konijnendijk’s lecture on ‘Supporting and provisioning ecosystem services of urban forests’. This lecture starts with an introduction to the ‘ecosystem service’ concept.

Mini-lecture Videos

• 2.1. Supporting and Provisioning Ecosystem Services

FODE012_2.1_Supporting_and_provisioning_ecosystem_services.pptx Download FODE012_2.1_Supporting_and_provisioning_ecosystem_services.pptx

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 2.1 or go to left menu > Quizzes > Mini Quiz 2.1 to start taking the quiz.

Topic Summary

In this first part of Module II, you have been introduced to the ecosystem service concept. As you have seen, this concept can assist urban forestry with securing its place in political, economic, and other debates, as it highlights the many important contributions of urban forests to urban societies. Based on the often-used classification of different ecosystem services by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, you also learnt about two of the four categories of ecosystem services: supporting services and provisioning services. The next section will discuss a third and very important category for urban forestry, namely that of regulatory ecosystem services.

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:

• Do you understand the ecosystem service concept, and can you see why it has become widely adopted in policy, research, and practice?
• What are some of the drawbacks of using an ecosystem service approach?
• Do you think that urban forestry has much to gain from using an ecosystem service approach?

Graded Assignment(s) for the Week (For certificate learning only)

Assignment 2

Now that you have submitted Assignment 1, it’s time to get started on Assignment 2. Assignment 2: Critical Analysis of an Urban Forest Site, will be due on Friday XX at midnight (PST). This project gives students the opportunity to apply the urban forestry concepts and approaches discussed in class and readings to critically analyze an urban forest site. Students will be given a range of sites (listed in the assignment description on Canvas) from which to choose or students may choose their own site, subject to instructor’s approval. Students will need to email the instructors before the end of Week 5 (Sunday XX at midnight PST) to discuss the site they have picked and provide rationale.

In this assignment, students will be asked to conduct a critical analysis of the urban forest in a neighbourhood, park or other green space in the city/country that they pick, and write a report of 5000 to 6000 words (excluding references and any additional pages such as title pages or tables of contents). They will apply their knowledge to describe and critically analyse their chosen urban forest site in the following four areas:

• Site description, including a discussion of development history, social context, urban growing conditions, tree species and condition
• Ecosystem services
• Governance
• Management opportunities and challenges

Remember to review the assignment details and requirements under the Assignments tab. It is a good idea to get started on this assignment early on in the Module, so you are prepared to submit the assignment on time.

Photo Assignment 3

We ask you to go out and explore your home city or town. Please find examples of situations where the urban forest are under pressure as well as associated site conditions, and take photos of two of these favourites. Post these photos on the course discussion board, with a brief description and explanation of why these trees are among your favourites.

All photos need to be posted by Monday of Week 6, 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.