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- Info
Urban-rural ecological gradients: A new perspective for urban forestry
| Author: |
McDonnell, M.J.; Pickett, S.T.A.; Pouyat, R.V.; Zipperer, W.C. |
| Date: |
1995 |
| Periodical: |
In: Inside Urban Ecosystems: 7th National Urban Forest Conference; 1995 September 12-16; New York, NY. |
| Abstract: |
Ecological studies of the structure and function of forests along a 20 x 140 km transect from New York City to rural Northwestern Connecticut have revealed the existence of an urban-to-rural environmental gradient. Field measurements coupled with experiments indicate variations in litter depth and decomposition rates, soil pollution, soil hydrophobicity, total soil C, potential N mineralization, soil fungi, methane production and earthworm populations in oak forests on similar soils along the transect. Traffic volume around the study sites, of all the geographic and land use factors studied to date, best predicted impact on the forest. The identification of urban-to-rural environmental gradients provides scientists and managers a new context for addressing both basic ecological questions and practical environmental problems facing urban forest ecosystems. |
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