AUTHOR=Hilbert Deborah R. , Koeser Andrew K. , Roman Lara A. , Andreu Michael G. , Hansen Gail , Thetford Mack , Northrop Robert J. 

TITLE=Selecting and Assessing Underutilized Trees for Diverse Urban Forests: A Participatory Research Approach

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.759693

DOI=10.3389/fevo.2022.759693

ISSN=2296-701X

ABSTRACT=<p>Urban forests provide critical environmental benefits, but the resilience of these socio-ecological systems to stresses like pest and disease outbreaks relies on tree health and diversity. Despite this, low species diversity continues to be a challenge in urban forest management. Using a participatory research approach in central Florida (United States), we selected and tested underutilized native tree species (<italic>Celtis laevigata</italic> Willd., <italic>Ilex vomitoria</italic> Aiton, <italic>Taxodium ascendens</italic> Brongn., <italic>Ulmus alata</italic> Michx., and <italic>Viburnum obovatum</italic> Walter) in two urban settings (streetscape and park) in four communities (total <italic>n</italic> = 200). Our collaborative process was organized into five steps, including a 2-year monitoring period to assess mortality and health through establishment. At the end of the trial, 156 trees survived with annual mortality rates differing by species and plot type. <italic>Taxodium ascendens</italic> had the highest annual mortality of the five species trialed. Overall, <italic>U. alata</italic> and <italic>V. obovatum</italic> showed the greatest potential in central Florida urban settings. Our tree selection process can guide others who want to create forward-thinking and diverse planting lists. Furthermore, this project demonstrates that co-production of knowledge involving members of local municipalities, practitioners, and researchers can be an effective strategy for selecting and testing underutilized tree species.</p>