Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / This thesis attempts to analyze the prevalence of native and non-native trees used in distinct Tucson residential subdivisions, the total number of trees in each neighborhood, as well as the dominant landscape style and tree species present. The overall concept is to make comparative analyses with the collected data and identify trends within the context of historic development, landscape aesthetic ideals, and environmental resource sustainability. This analysis will serve as a tool for community discussion and ultimately allow for recommendations to be made with the goal of increasing the sustainability of residential landscapes through the benefits of native trees.

Urban forests play key roles in animal and plant biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services.  Habitat fragmentation and expanding urbanization threaten biodiversity in and around urban areas.  Saproxylic beetles can act as bioindicators of forest health and their diversity may help to explain and define urban-forest edge effects.  I explored the relationship between saproxylic beetle diversity and distance to an urban area along nine transects in the Västra Götaland region of Sweden.  Specifically, the relationships between abundance and species richness and distance from the urban-forest boundary, forest age, forest volume, and tree species ratio was investigated Unbaited flight interception traps were set at intervals of 0, 250, and 500 meters from an urban-forest boundary to measure beetle abundance and richness.  A total of 4182 saproxylic beetles representing 179 species were captured over two months.  Distance from the urban forest boundary showed little overall effect on abundance suggesting urban proximity does not affect saproxylic beetle abundance.  There was an effect on species richness, with saproxylic species richness greater closer to the urban-forest boundary.  Forest volume had a very small positive effect on both abundance and species richness likely due to a limited change in volume along each transect.  An increase in the occurrence of deciduous tree species proved to be an important factor driving saproxylic beetle abundance moving closer to the urban-forest.  Overall, analysis showed inconsistent effects on both abundance and richness as functions of proximity to the urban-forest boundary.  Urban edge effects, forest volume, forest age, and forest tree species make up are all variables that may effect saproxylic abundance and species richness.  Forest managers should consider these variables when making management decisions.

Spatial and temporal patterns of urban vegetation have been widely studied since the mid-twentieth century, but these studies have focused mainly on northern hemisphere countries, and little research has been conducted in developing countries. Urban vegetation is characterized by the presence of species that are adapted to the particular environmental conditions of cities, and a high diversity of exotic species. This occurs due to a combination of factors: on one hand, it is possible to find wild vegetation (weeds) on abandoned lands or those with little intervention, as well as on walls and buildings. On the other hand, there is also an enormous variety of ornamental and mainly exotic species, which have been cultivated by humans. The processes of species selection performed individually or collectively are a major determinant of the diversity of urban vegetation and flora. Individual decisions relate to private spaces such as residential gardens whose owners manage the vegetation according to their preferences and interests. Collective decisions relate to public spaces, which, by their nature, are subject to the action of multiple stakeholders. At the collective level, decision-making occurs in the context of processes involving local governments, other state agencies, NGOs and various interest groups present in the city. Each of these actors has its own vision on the role of urban vegetation, their preferences and criteria for the selection and management. This study aims to investigate the processes of decision-making responsible for the current composition of the vegetation in public spaces of the Metropolitan Area of Santiago (MAS). Through this research is expected to identify the criteria for the selection of species to be planted in public spaces, the reasons that explain the predominance of certain species, and the difference between parks managed by different public agencies in MAS. The research assumes that the various public and private actors involved in the planting and management of vegetation in public spaces, act guided by criteria and preferences that are finally expressed in the observed patterns of urban vegetation. For this purpose, the conceptual framework of governance is used, understood as the process of decision-making concerning public affairs, which involves multiple agents or interests including government agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society groups. The overarching objectives of this Thesis are: a) To contribute to the knowledge of interactions between governance system and urban vegetation patterns in metropolitan areas of developing countries, recognizing both social and environmental processes interacting. b) Contribute to urban planning and policies by generating knowledge relevant to decision- making regarding urban vegetation. A robust knowledge of the factors defining the composition and structure of urban vegetation is essential to design effective policies for increasing vegetation cover, with consequent environmental and social benefits.

2 pp. / Information about life cycle and damage in aspens, poplars and willows found especially in Arizona and their control methods.

Spatial and temporal patterns of urban vegetation have been widely studied since the mid-twentieth century, but these studies have focused mainly on northern hemisphere countries, and little research has been conducted in developing countries. Urban vegetation is characterized by the presence of species that are adapted to the particular environmental conditions of cities, and a high diversity of exotic species. This occurs due to a combination of factors: on one hand, it is possible to find wild vegetation (weeds) on abandoned lands or those with little intervention, as well as on walls and buildings. On the other hand, there is also an enormous variety of ornamental and mainly exotic species, which have been cultivated by humans. The processes of species selection performed individually or collectively are a major determinant of the diversity of urban vegetation and flora. Individual decisions relate to private spaces such as residential gardens whose owners manage the vegetation according to their preferences and interests. Collective decisions relate to public spaces, which, by their nature, are subject to the action of multiple stakeholders. At the collective level, decision-making occurs in the context of processes involving local governments, other state agencies, NGOs and various interest groups present in the city. Each of these actors has its own vision on the role of urban vegetation, their preferences and criteria for the selection and management. This study aims to investigate the processes of decision-making responsible for the current composition of the vegetation in public spaces of the Metropolitan Area of Santiago (MAS). Through this research is expected to identify the criteria for the selection of species to be planted in public spaces, the reasons that explain the predominance of certain species, and the difference between parks managed by different public agencies in MAS. The research assumes that the various public and private actors involved in the planting and management of vegetation in public spaces, act guided by criteria and preferences that are finally expressed in the observed patterns of urban vegetation. For this purpose, the conceptual framework of governance is used, understood as the process of decision-making concerning public affairs, which involves multiple agents or interests including government agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society groups. The overarching objectives of this Thesis are: a) To contribute to the knowledge of interactions between governance system and urban vegetation patterns in metropolitan areas of developing countries, recognizing both social and environmental processes interacting. b) Contribute to urban planning and policies by generating knowledge relevant to decision- making regarding urban vegetation. A robust knowledge of the factors defining the composition and structure of urban vegetation is essential to design effective policies for increasing vegetation cover, with consequent environmental and social benefits.

This study examines the environmental identity processes of Philadelphians involved in volunteer local everyday urban environmental stewardship through tree plantings and prunings, urban gardening, and neighborhood cleanups. A hybrid theoretical framework for environmental identities that simultaneously incorporates structural, discursive, and material concerns through the ground of everyday life was adapted from the political ecology of the body developed by Hayes-Conroy and Hayes-Conroy (2013). Three qualitative methodological techniques were performed: in depth interviews, participatory observation, and neighborhood walking tours. Results highlight the emotional and affective connections that participants held with their neighborhoods, neighbors and other participants, and trees and other nonhuman others. / Geography

En ökad urbanisering medför en större betydelse av tätortsnära skogar. Sociala värden i tätortsnära skogar påverkas av flera olika faktorer, däribland den individuella upplevelsen. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur sociala värden upplevdes av besökare och vilka sociala värden som hade utvecklingspotential vid det tätortsnära skogsområdet Djurängen i Kalmar kommun. En webbaserad enkätstudie genomfördes som behandlade besökares upplevelser, åsikter och tankar om sociala värden vid Djurängen där 76 respondenter deltog. De viktigaste slutsatserna var att sociala värden upplevdes olika och att de sociala värden som hade utvecklingspotential var belysningen på de belysta promenadslingorna samt kartor och markeringar på stigar och leder. Sociala värden som kunde indikera på utvecklingspotential var uppehållsplatser, kulturarv och pedagogiska värden. Studien visade en komplex balans mellan respondenternas upplevelse av sociala värden.

Detta kandidatarbete syftar till att utreda om Urban Forestry kan tillföra något till svensk planering. Urbanisering har skett under en lång tid och för att tillgodose det växande behovet av bostäder har förtätning av staden skett, vilket ofta har gjorts på bekostnad av städers grönska. För att hantera utmaningarna med att integrera grönska i täta städer har ett behov av nytänkande grönplanering uppkommit. Urban Forestry anses vara en lösning på denna problematik och fokuserar på att skapa gröna städer där det inte finns ytor kvar för traditionella parker. För att undersöka om Urban Forestry tillför något nytt till svensk planering utreds grönplaneringens utveckling genom tiderna samt företeelsen Urban Forestry genom en litteraturstudie. Urban Forestry visade sig vara ett vagt och svårdefinierat begrepp, dessutom är de vetenskapliga grunderna för dess positiva miljöeffekter bristande. Dock bidrar Urban Forestry med uppmärksammande av miljö- och hållbarhetsfrågor, och visar goda ambitioner och initiativ till att utveckla och förbättra grönplanering. När den svenska grönplaneringen sattes i relation till Urban Forestry visade det sig att de bärande idéerna redan är representerade inom existerande grönplanering i Sverige. / This bachelor thesis aims to investigate if the concept of Urban Forestry could bring new knowledge into Swedish urban planning. Urbanization has taken place for a long time and in order to meet the growing need for housing, densification of the city has taken place, which has often been done at the expense of urban greenery. In order to deal with the challenges of integrating greenery into dense cities, a need for innovative green planning has arisen. Urban Forestry as a concept is considered a solution to this problem and focuses on creating greenery in cities where limited areas for traditional parks are available. In order to investigate whether Urban Forestry adds something new to Swedish planning, the development of green planning over time and the concept of Urban Forestry is investigated. Urban Forestry turned out to be vague and difficult to define, and the scientific basis for the concept’s arguments are lacking. However, Urban Forestry contributes attention to environmental and sustainability issues, and shows good ambitions and initiatives to develop and improve green planning. When Swedish green planning was put in relation to Urban Forestry, the outcome was that the ideas in the concept were already represented within existing green planning.

O estudo avaliou a influência das árvores urbanas na manutenção da qualidade do ar e na melhoria da saúde pública, na cidade de São Paulo/SP. Para isso, essa dissertação apresenta três artigos, sendo o primeiro um artigo de revisão sistemática da literatura científica dos últimos 10 anos, contendo pesquisas que envolvem ao menos dois dos três temas: florestas urbanas, poluição do ar e saúde pública, de forma integrada. O segundo trabalho demonstra como a distribuição do solo urbano e as árvores urbanas, levantadas através de um Inventário Florestal, influenciam na qualidade do ar. O terceiro artigo discute o processo de urbanização e como o uso e ocupação do solo podem influenciar nos casos de Câncer de pulmão em idosos. As pricipais conclusões observadas são que as publicações da área vêm crescendo com o passar dos anos em revistas consideradas de alta qualidade científica, porém há uma carência de estudos que englobem os três grandes temas de forma integrada; Copa arbórea/arbustiva e Relvado podem ser utilizados como ferramentas eficientes na gestão pública, no combate à poluição por Material Particulado de 10μm; áreas abertas de relvado, como praças, campos e jardins, assim como a presença de árvores, podem ser considerados como fatores que favorecem a saúde da população de idosos paulistanos, e são encontradas quando mais distantes do centro da cidade. / The study evaluated the influence of urban trees in maintaining air quality and improving public health in São Paulo. For this, this dissertation presents three articles, the first one is a systematic review of the scientific literature of the last 10 years, containing research involving at least two of the three themes: urban forests, air pollution and public health, in an integrated way. The second work demonstrates how the distribution of land use and urban trees, raised through a Forest Inventory, influence the quality of the air. The third article discusses the process of urbanization and how land use and land cover can influence the cases of lung cancer in old people. The main conclusions observed are that the publications have been growing over the years in journals considered of high scientific quality, but there is a lack of studies that encompass the three major matters in an integrated way; Arboreal / Shrub Cup and Grass can be used as efficient tools in the public management, in reduction of pollution by particulate matter of 10μm; Open areas such as squares, fields and gardens, as well as the presence of trees, can be considered as factors that favor the health of the elderly population of São Paulo, and these environments are found when further away from the city center.

A urbanização acelerada e mal planejada pode ocasionar diversas alterações e consequências para o ambiente, como a sistemática impermeabilização do solo, que pode ocasionar aumento do escoamento superficial da água e redução do tempo de escoamento, gerando problemas como enchentes, alagamentos, aumento do risco de desastres naturais, entre outros. A criação de mais áreas verdes pode ser considerada uma alternativa adequada para reduzir esses fenômenos, frente à rápida e crescente expansão urbana. Como os benefícios hidrológicos das árvores em ambiente urbano ainda são pouco explorados por pesquisadores, sobretudo no Brasil, existe a necessidade de se determinar o quanto a cobertura arbórea é capaz de influenciar na redução das consequências de eventos extremos para os ambientes urbanos. O i-Tree Hydro é um programa pioneiro em relacionar explicitamente os efeitos das árvores nas águas pluviais em área urbana, fornecendo diretrizes para o planejamento do espaço em áreas sensíveis à fenômenos ambientais. Portanto, este trabalho pretende aplicou o programa em uma bacia hidrográfica da cidade de São Paulo, com o objetivo de melhor compreender como a disposição das árvores podem influenciar em uma área densamente urbanizada. Foi possível concluir utilizando o programa i-Tree Hydro que se aumentamos a cobertura arbórea e diminuímos a impermeabilização da bacia a uma queda de 12% na vazão média anual. Enquanto, fazendo o processo oposto e aumentando a impermeabilização e diminuindo a cobertura arbórea o volume médio anual da bacia aumenta cerca de 6%. Também foi possível concluir neste trabalho que apenas aumentando a cobertura arbórea da bacia de estudo sem alterar a impermeabilização é possível uma redução de 4% na vazão média anual da bacia e que a remoção de toda cobertura arbórea da mesma provoca um aumento de cerca de 21% , aumentando a média anual em aproximadamente 700 m³. / Accelerated and poorly planned urbanization can cause a number of changes and consequences for the environment, such as systematic soil sealing, which can lead to increased water runoff and reduced run-off time, generating problems such as flooding, flooding, natural disasters, among others. The creation of more green areas can be considered an adequate alternative to reduce these phenomena, in front of the rapid and increasing urban expansion. As the hydrological benefits of trees in urban environments are still little explored by researchers, especially in Brazil, there is a need to determine how much tree cover is capable of influencing the reduction of the consequences of extreme events for urban environments. The i-Tree Hydro is a pioneering program to explicitly relate the effects of trees to rainwater in urban areas, providing guidelines for space planning in areas sensitive to environmental phenomena. Therefore, this work intends to apply the program in a river basin of the city of São Paulo, in order to better understand how the use of permeable pavements and the quantity and arrangement of trees can influence in a densely urbanized area. It was possible to conclude by using the i-Tree Hydro program that we increased the tree cover and decreased the waterproofing of the basin to a fall of 12% in the average annual flow. Meanwhile, by doing the opposite process and increasing waterproofing and decreasing tree cover the average annual volume of the basin increases by about 6%. It was also possible to conclude in this work that only increasing the tree cover of the study basin without altering the waterproofing is possible a reduction of 4% in the average annual flow of the basin and that the removal of all the tree cover of the same causes an increase of about 21 %, increasing the annual average by approximately 700 m³.