Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8793-5324

Advisor

Grado, Stephen C.

Committee Member

Alexander, Heather D.

Committee Member

Brewer, J. Stephen

Committee Member

Grebner, Donald L.

Committee Member

Himes, Austin

Date of Degree

8-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Forest Resources (Forestry)

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Forestry

Abstract

Urban forested natural areas (UFNAs) are the remnants of larger forested ecosystems that have become surrounded by urban land development. Due to their proximity to dense population centers, UFNAs provide levels of ecosystem services disproportionate with their small size. However, stressors on UFNAs, such as fragmentation, invasive species, urban heat islands, soil compaction, altered seed predator populations, and disrupted disturbance regimes, can alter species composition and forest structure such that the continued flow of these ecosystem services is unlikely. Further, management of these systems is confounded by their size and location. While most urban forests are managed using individual tree techniques (arboriculture), UFNAs have too many trees for this approach to be tenable. Likewise, traditional forest management techniques (silviculture) may not be possible due to the relatively small size of UFNAs and their proximity to urban population centers where silvicultural strategies may not be politically acceptable. This dissertation helps inform UFNA management strategies by documenting how species composition and forest structure have changed over time as a result of a mostly laissez-faire management strategy in a UFNA of Memphis, Tennessee. Evidence of the negative impacts of this approach on native tree species can be used by managers to build public support for management interventions. This work also examines potential recruitment barriers for the native overstory species northern red oak (Quercus rubra L). and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) which provide much of the large tree character in this UFNA. These results can guide specific management strategies to promote these important species. Finally, this research elucidates the potential threat to native plant biodiversity in this UFNA posed by a popular non-native ornamental tree species, cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana Aiton). The results can aid in the development of appropriate policies regarding this specific tree and similar species in other UFNAs. Combined these studies provide a glimpse into the complicated dynamics and management of this UFNA. Given the widespread nature of the species examined and the methods used, this research may also provide useful insights into UFNA management in the surrounding regions.

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