Drivers of street tree diversity in the Canadian prairies
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22240203 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Alexander J F Martin (0000-0002-4573-8899, University of Toronto, corresponding author), Tenley M Conway (0000-0002-9452-1629, University of Toronto) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Pages | 101386 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Trees Forests and People (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2666-7193 • E-ISSN: 2666-7193 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101386 |
| OpenAlex | W7167277935 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 44 |
In the Canadian prairies, street tree populations remain dominated by elm ( Ulmus ) and ash ( Fraxinus ), two genera tolerant of the cold, semiarid prairie climate where native species are few. This narrow species base leaves prairie urban forests especially vulnerable to pest outbreaks, yet research examining constraints to diversification has mostly focused on warmer regions. To determine if similar constraints apply in the prairies, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight urban forestry professionals in five prairie cities, representing a range from moderate to large urban centres, and applied an adapted conceptual framework encompassing historical, biophysical, administrative, neighbourhood, and social drivers of species diversity. While interviewees from all five cities recognized the need to increase species diversity, biophysical conditions were unanimously perceived as constraining the number of suitable species. Harsh climate, road salts, pressures from pests and pathogens, and development practices, particularly soil stripping and compaction, were among the factors identified by interviewees as limiting the viable species pool in all five cities. These constraints were further compounded by the availability of appropriate nursery stock among the five cities, with two cities also identifying regulatory barriers to importing alternative species. Based on challenges faced by the interviewees in expanding urban tree diversity in their cities, priority actions include testing alternative species, improving biosecurity detection and prevention, and adding soil conservation requirements into development and rezoning bylaws, which would avoid constraining species establishment. Such initiatives would expand the species pool, reduce reliance on vulnerable genera, and promote climate resilience in prairie urban forests
Biodiversity · Diversity (politics) · Species diversity · Tree (set theory) · Vegetation (pathology) · Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies · Seedling growth and survival studies · Urban Green Space and Health
Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies
A content analysis of urban forest management plans in Canada
Potential impacts of the invasive Agrilus planipennis on various demographics in Winnipeg, Canada
Historical drivers of street tree species selection
Sample Sizes for 10 Types of Qualitative Data Analysis
Decision-making of municipal urban forest managers through the lens of governance
Community Stories
The best laid plans
Qualitative research
Beyond the Golden Shovel
Deductive Qualitative Analysis
How Many Interviews Are Enough
| Highly cited | No |
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