Species Richness, Stem Density, and Canopy in Food Forests

Contributions to Ecosystem Services in an Urban Environment

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22018121
AutoresCara A Rockwell (0000-0003-4873-2529, Florida International University), Alex Crow (Florida International University), Érika R Guimarães (Florida International University), Eduardo Recinos, Deborah La Belle
Año2022
Volumen7
Número2
Páginas139-154
Fecha de publicación2022-05-31
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaUrban Planning (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2183-7635 • E-ISSN: 2183-7635
EditorialCogitatio (PUBLISHER • PT)
DOI10.17645/up.v7i2.5135
OpenAlexW4282040764
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas69

Food forests expand the traditional concepts of urban forestry and agriculture, providing a broad diversity of tree-related ecosystem services and goods. Even though food forest systems bridge an obvious gap between agriculture and forestry, their potential value in the urban landscape is often undervalued. The inclusion of edible species in urban forest stands can enhance nutrition and well-being in the urban landscape, where food deserts are common. The potential for ecosystem services is especially pronounced in subtropical and tropical regions, where there is a heightened need for shade due to climate change-related heat waves. For this study, we investigated the tree species richness, stem density, and canopy cover provided by food forest gardens in 10 Miami-Dade County, Florida public schools located in the urban landscape. We compared results with neighboring properties around the schools and discovered that the food forest canopy was comparable with neighborhood urban tree cover. Additionally, we established that arborescent species richness (including an increase in edible taxa) and stem density was higher in food forests than in adjacent neighborhood plots. We posit that local food production could be enhanced by planting edible species in small spaces (e.g., empty lots or residential yards), as opposed to focusing on just ornamental taxa or recommended street trees. Our study highlights the importance of using mixed edible tree species plantings (especially with consideration to provisioning, regulating, and supporting services), potentially meeting urban forestry and agricultural goals proposed by urban planners and managers

Agriculture · Agroforestry · Biology · Canopy · Ecosystem · Ecosystem services · Geography · Species richness · Urban ecology · Urban ecosystem · Urban forest · Urban Forestry · Urbanization · Environmental Science · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Urban Agriculture and Sustainability · Urban Green Space and Health · Ecology · Forestry