Amenity trees provide physical, social and economic benefits to people sharing their environment. To maintain the benefits that many people have come to expect of trees in their urban landscapes, a viable and dynamic tree population is required. To this end it is necessary to plant new trees or replace existing trees when they require removal. The challenge when replacing mature trees is not simply the process of planting a tree when one is removed, but of the continual replacement of the entire tree population in a planned and managed fashion. In urban landscapes this is not a natural process, and human intervention is required.

Amenity trees provide physical, social and economic benefits to people sharing their environment. To maintain the benefits that many people have come to expect of trees in their urban landscapes, a viable and dynamic tree population is required. To this end it is necessary to plant new trees or replace existing trees when they require removal. The challenge when replacing mature trees is not simply the process of planting a tree when one is removed, but of the continual replacement of the entire tree population in a planned and managed fashion. In urban landscapes this is not a natural process, and human intervention is required.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Institute of Land and Food Resources, 2005. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (p. 382-410).

Thesis (M.S.)--Washington State University, May 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-62).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 306-325).

by Chan Wai-yi. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-154). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.vi / List of Plates --- p.vii / List of Appendices --- p.viii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Urban environment and urban trees in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework of the study --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the study --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4 --- Scope and significance of the study --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.14 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- STUDY AREA / Chapter 2.1 --- Location --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Climate --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3 --- Planter --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Soils --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Management --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Authority --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Management intensity --- p.26 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- INVENTORY OF PLANTER GREENERY / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Species composition --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Tree structure and size (physiognomy) --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Growth performance --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Tree growth problems --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Shrub and ground cover --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Inventory of planter greenery in the study areas --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Growth performance and problems --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.62 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- SELECTED PROPERTIES OF PLANTER SOILS / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Soil texture --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Soil reaction --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Organic carbon --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Mineral nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate nitrogen) --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Total phosphorus --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Available phosphorus --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- "Exchangeable K, Na，Ca and Mg" --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- Carbon : nitrogen ratio --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.71 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Soil texture --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Soil pH --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Organic matter --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.6 --- Total phosphorus and available phosphorus --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.7 --- Exchangeable cations --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.80 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Comparison with other studies --- p.80 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- "Are the planter soils optimal in pH, phosphorus and exchangeable cations?" --- p.84 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- "Deficiencies of SOM, TKN and mineral N" --- p.88 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.91 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS MINERALIZATION / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- In situ incubation --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- "Determination of N mineralization, leaching and uptake" --- p.98 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- "Determination of P mineralization, leaching and uptake" --- p.100 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.101 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.102 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Temporal changes of ammonification and nitrification --- p.102 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Temporal changes of P mineralization --- p.103 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- "Net ammonification, NH4 leaching and uptake" --- p.104 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- "Net nitrification, N03 leaching and uptake" --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- "Net N mineralization, leaching and uptake" --- p.106 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- "Net P mineralization, leaching and uptake" --- p.107 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.108 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Comparison with other studies --- p.108 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- N mineralization in the planter soils --- p.112 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- P mineralization in the planter soils --- p.116 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Leaching loss of mineral N and P in the planter soils --- p.118 / Chapter 5.4.5 --- Uptake of N and P in the planter soils --- p.121 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.124 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.127 / Chapter 6.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.131 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Site-specific management programme --- p.131 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Application of results --- p.134 / Chapter 6.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.137 / Chapter 6.4 --- Suggestions for future study --- p.139 / REFERENCES --- p.142 / APPENDICES --- p.155

[Truncated abstract] Native vegetation (bushland) in urban areas remains in small, isolated patches embedded within a matrix of human-dominated land uses. Bushlands in urban areas have high biodiversity conservation and social values, and there has been a local-level movement towards protecting and managing urban bushlands in Australia. This thesis aims to test principles, theories and concepts relating to the ecology and management of bushland fragments in Australian cities ... A commonly used qualitative scale was compared with an ecologically based, quantitative technique developed in the research. The qualitative scale was found to be a reliable proxy for assessing vegetation condition, while also being more user-friendly for community groups and other bushland managers. The human-caused disturbances and weed cover in urban bushlands indicate a need for management intervention. Local government has an important role in local biodiversity management, yet there has been little research on this topic ... Positive partnerships developed where local governments have taken a ‘contract model’ approach to volunteer coordination, have a number of expectations of volunteer groups, and provide the groups with relatively high level of assistance. Also important is a local government that supports, respects, trusts and communicates with the community group, and recognises volunteers’ skills, knowledge and contributions. With increased resources allocated to local government bushland management and conservation, and coordination with community groups, the full potential of local bushland management would be realised.

published_or_final_version / Geography and Geology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

A vegetation survey of natural woodland and grassland was undertaken in the urban areas of the Gauteng Province, where 7,3 million of the 38,5 million people of South Africa live. Relevés were compiled in 132 stratified random sample plots in selected open spaces in the study area. A TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, indicated six woodland communities represented by 72 relevés, and eight grassland communities represented by 59 relevés. The identification, classification and description of these plant communities are important for the continued conservation of open spaces in the urban environment in order to integrate landscape ecological mapping and urban spatial planning processes. The study further recorded a high number of species. It indicated that the natural areas in the urban environment have a high conservation status and maintain a high species richness. This information could in future be used for further biodiversity studies in the Province. Species with low occurrence were specifically listed and can be used to inform "red data" status research initiatives. / Dissertation (MSc (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Thesis (M.S.)--North Carolina State University, 2003. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Mar. 26, 2005). Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.