Session: Branching Out: Harnessing Forest Research for Trees Outside Forests

Beschreibung / Description

The inclusion of trees in agricultural and urban landscapes creates significant opportunities for enhancing ecosystem services, promoting sustainability, and improving the resilience. By transferring insights from forest research, we can inform management practices that can ultimately enhance the effectiveness of initiatives incorporating trees outside forests (TOF) encompassing especially agroforestry systems and urban forestry. Research synergies emerge when disciplines overlap and learn from each other. Agroforestry may for example, benefit from ecological studies that assess biodiversity roles in forests and urban forestry drawing from studies on tree community dynamics and urban ecology. Collaborative projects that involve agronomists, ecologists, and urban planners alongside foresters can generate integrated solutions that address complex environmental challenges.

Species-level tree studies explore areas such as taxonomy, ecology, physiology, genetics, and wood quality, providing valuable insights that inform forest science. This knowledge directly impacts agroforestry and urban forestry practices by guiding tree selection while enhancing productivity and biodiversity. Genetic diversity studies contribute to conservation efforts and resilience within varied systems and applications. The exchange of knowledge between forest and TOF researchers fosters innovative management strategies. Management practices aimed at product diversification are vital in both fields, allowing land managers to integrate various tree and crop species to optimise resource use, improve overall productivity, and mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations. Furthermore, lessons learned about species resilience from forest ecosystems inform adaptive management strategies that enhance resistance and resilience to both abiotic and biotic stress agents for TOF.

Technological advances within forest sciences play a crucial role in informing management practices. Remote sensing technologies, including satellite imagery, LiDAR and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), facilitate assessments of tree health, canopy cover, and land-use changes. TOF practitioners can leverage data platforms that enable timely reporting on tree health, facilitating effective management responses aimed at maintaining and enhancing the quality of urban green spaces or agroforestry systems. Moreover, genetic and biotechnological advances present opportunities to develop tree species that exhibit improved wood quality where relevant and enhanced resistance to antagonists and disease. Management practices that incorporate these advancements can lead to the establishment of high-value timber species, promoting economic viability and sustainability. Utilising techniques in agroforestry that mimic natural forest conditions enhances soil health, promotes biodiversity, and contributes to high-quality wood production. Additionally, strategic urban tree planting, informed by resilience studies, can bolster the functioning of urban ecosystems, such as improving air quality, shading, and stormwater management capabilities.

Both agroforestry and urban forestry benefit from adaptive management practices that allow for realtime adjustments based on environmental feedback, leading to improved resistance and resilience. By integrating research insights from forest ecosystems, ranging from species selection and ecological processes to innovative technological tools, agroforestry and urban forestry can both improve their contributions to sustainability, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. As urbanisation and agricultural demands continue to grow, the integration of trees into these landscapes will be crucial in addressing contemporary environmental challenges, promoting healthier ecosystems, and improving the quality of life worldwide.

Keywords: Agroforestry, Urban Forestry, Management Practices, Resistance, Resilience