Urban Forest Management in a Changing Climate

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This is a summary of research URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT conducted by Diamond Head Consulting. For more information visit: IN A CHANGING CLIMATE allonesky.ca/regional-climate- EDMONTON METROPOLITAN REGION CLIMATE RESILIENCE EXCHANGE adaptation-collaborative

PROJECT GOAL Characterize the vulnerability of urban forests in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region to climate change, and develop a detailed guide to help municipalities address these vulnerabilities.

BENEFITS TO URBAN FORESTS

Improvement to the Cityscape • Air purification • Rainfall interception (reduces flood risk) • Improved infiltration of water into the soil • Energy savings in buildings

Human Experience Improvement • Beautification and sense of place • Connection to nature • Shade and cooling for people, buildings and public spaces

Benefits to the Natural Environment • Wildlife habitat • Carbon sequestration

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE URBAN FOREST IN THE EDMONTON METROPOLITAN REGION

Ecosystem Shifts Drought Mortality More Extreme Weather Events Grassland ecosystem types may expand Less moisture availability may increase Heat, extreme precipitation, flooding, at the expense of aspen parkland and drought mortality and urban trees may ice storms or other events may be more boreal forest. need more water to establish. frequent, leading to more tree damage.

Less Growth and Carbon Capture More Pests and Invasive Species Longer Fire Seasons and Larger Fires Trees may grow more slowly and not reach Pests may reproduce more rapidly and Fires may occur more often and burn larger as large a size. Disturbance may result in more often. Trees and ecosystems may be areas, and fire risk is expected to increase carbon being released from forests. more vulnerable to attack and invasion. everywhere. Climate Resilient Home Edmonton Metropolitan Region Climate Resilience Exchange

WHY TAKE ACTION? The EMR’s urban forests are anticipated to change significantly as changes in temperatures and moisture availability drive shifts from forest to grassland ecosystems and increase drought stress in urban trees. Disturbance due to pests, disease, wildfire and extreme weather are expected to increase. These changes increase the risk of losing existing trees and their significant aesthetic and ecosystem value to communities.

Given the important role urban forests play in the livability of our communities, it is critical to increase the resilience of urban forests to climate change.

1 Policy and Planning 3 Management and 5 Engagement Integrate climate adaptation Plant Health Care Work collaboratively with strategies and options Use best practices for tree management local organizations and into long-range planning, and health care to maintain ecosystems institutions, and other goal setting and policy and keeping trees in a healthy and safe government agencies. development related to the condition in urban landscapes. Guidance Improve public understanding planting and management of is provided for tree inventories, health through education, outreach trees and forests. and risk assessments, watering, pruning, and stewardship events. mulching, ecosystem restoration and Partner with the nursery and treatments for pests and diseases. arboriculture industry to provide a climate-adapted stock of tree species. 2 Tree Planting 4 Risk Management Sustain and expand resilient Manage both the risks to urban forests by planting trees trees from climate hazards, in natural areas, parks and as well as the risks from trees streets that are suitable for to life and property from tree the current site and climate failure. Inspect trees on a conditions, and its anticipated regular cycle to assess their climate. The full report health and condition, and to contains a list of species that identify appropriate pruning are commonly, or could be, requirements. When risks are planted in the EMR today and identified, investigate, monitor indicates those that are likely and/or mitigate risk. to do more or less well under future climate.

This report was produced through the Climate Resilience Exchange project led by All One Sky Foundation, and delivered through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, a program of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with funding provided by the Government of Canada.

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