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Assessing Tree Health and Species in the Gentrifying Neighbourhood of the Junction Triangle in Toronto, Ontario

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Assessing Tree Health and Species in the Gentrifying Neighbourhood of the Junction Triangle in Toronto, Ontario ASSESSING TREE HEALTH AND SPECIES IN THE GENTRIFYING NEIGHBOURHOOD OF THE JUNCTION TRIANGLE IN TORONTO, ONTARIO By Ritam Sen Bachelor of Arts, Ryerson University, 2014 A thesis presented to Ryerson University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in the Program of Environmental Applied Science and Management Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2018 ©Ritam Sen, 2018 Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revision, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this thesis to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this thesis by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Assessing Tree Health and Species in the Gentrifying Neighbourhood of the Junction Triangle in Toronto, Ontario Ritam Sen Master of Applied Science, 2018 Environmental Applied Science and Management Ryerson University Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the number, health, and species of trees in the gentrifying neighbourhood of the Junction Triangle. In this research, the tree inventory and questionnaire method were used. The questionnaire results show that respondents who moved in prior to 2007 view gentrification more negatively than residents who moved in after. The study found that there is a net growth of trees in the study area. Many invasive species have been removed, while more city recommended species have been planted. This research went on to find that trees in front of homes are in better condition than those planted on public land, and trees in front of improved homes are in better condition than those in front of unimproved homes. This is evidenced by the visible tree care and maintenance activities that are occurring on trees in front of housing but is absent from trees on public land. iii Acknowledgements: Over the last three years this thesis has been the primary focus in my life and ongoing source of stress, and happiness. I have never in my life worked so hard to achieve something as I have to complete this research. It has been a fulfilling journey and without the help of certain individuals in my life, I do not think this would have been possible. First and foremost, I would like to thank my research supervisor Dr. Michal Bardecki, who has become somewhat of a guru to me. Without your advice and expertise, I would not have been able to complete this thesis, and if it were anybody else I do not think I would be where I am today. The time you have invested in me has helped shape me into a more mature human being, with a passion for science and knowledge. Dr. Bardecki, I am forever grateful for the chance to do this research under you. I would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to my friends and family. To my parents, you have been an everlasting source of love and support throughout this research, especially during the times where I was so overwhelmed that I wanted to quit. Thank you for helping me stay strong in my times of weakness. To my dear friends, I am so grateful to have you all in my life. The constant love, support, kindness, and words of wisdom you have all shown me means the world to me. I know that I can count on each and every one of you when I need you. Thank you to Sandip, Sanjana, Hirad, Rudro, Chayla, Dolapo, Alex P., Alex S., Calvin, Aris, Nimesh, Nikou, Orson, Sharmilla, and Lisa. Lastly, I would like to thank you to my dog, Shadow. I love you so much. R.I.P. iv Table of Contents Authors Declaration ........................................................................................................................ ii Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................1 1.1 Organization of Study ................................................................................................................4 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................6 2.1 Gentrification .............................................................................................................................6 2.1.1 Theories of Gentrification ...................................................................................................8 2.1.2 Housing Rehabilitation ......................................................................................................10 2.2 Significance of the Urban Forest .............................................................................................11 2.2.1 Environmental Benefits of the Urban Forest .....................................................................12 2.2.2 Economic Impacts of the Urban Forest .............................................................................14 2.3 Gentrification and Urban Forestry ...........................................................................................16 2.4 Tree Species and Health...........................................................................................................20 CHAPTER THREE: OBJECTIVE............................................................................................23 CHAPTER FOUR: METHODS .................................................................................................27 4.1 Junction Triangle Gentrification ..............................................................................................28 4.1.1 Green Here Inventory ........................................................................................................28 4.1.2 Updated Tree Inventory.....................................................................................................31 4.2 Questionnaire ...........................................................................................................................43 4.3 Statistical Analysis ...................................................................................................................47 CHAPTER FIVE: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ..................................................................48 5.1 Evidence of Gentrification in the Junction Triangle ............................................................48 5.1.1 Questionnaire Results ....................................................................................................56 5.2 Tree Species .........................................................................................................................60 5.2.1 Tree Species on Public Land .........................................................................................64 5.2.2 Tree Species in front of Homes .....................................................................................73 5.3 Tree Health ...........................................................................................................................91 v 5.3.1 Tree Health on Public Land ...........................................................................................93 5.3.2 Tree Health in front of Homes.......................................................................................99 CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................106 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................109 Appendix 1: 2016 Inventory of the Junction Triangle Study Area ..........................................109 Appendix 2: Number and Species of Trees in 2007 and 2016 .................................................144 Appendix 3: Questionnaire, Introductory Materials, and Results ............................................146 Appendix 3.1: Questionnaire Recruitment Script ................................................................146 Appendix 3.2: Questionnaire Consent Form ........................................................................147 Appendix 3.3: Tree and Gentrification Questionnaire .........................................................150 Appendix 4: Mann-Whitney U Test Results ................................................................................156 Appendix 4.1: Public Land Trees vs Trees In front of Homes ............................................156 Appendix 4.2: Boulevard Trees vs Park Trees .....................................................................157 Appendix 4.3: Boulevard Trees vs West Toronto Railpath Trees........................................158 Appendix 4.4: Park Trees vs West Toronto Railpath Trees .................................................158 Appendix 4.5: Boulevard Trees Near Construction vs Not Near Construction ..................159 Appendix 4.6:
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