Predictors of tropical cyclone-induced urban tree failure: an international scoping review

Background: Trees are critical components of rural and urban ecosystems throughout the world. While they have adapted to the historic conditions of their native environments, climate change, urbanization, and human-assisted range expansion may test the storm resiliency of many tree species. Objective: In this global multilingual scoping review, we investigate a range of intrinsic (i.e., tree characteristics) and external (i.e., environmental and management) factors which have been used to predict tree failure during tropical cyclones. Design: We searched online databases and journals in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish to find peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. We retained papers that used ground-based methods to study tree damage following a tropical cyclone and conducted a statistical analysis of factors that influence tree resistance to damage. From each paper we extracted details of study methods, and the relationships between damage and predictors. Results: Our efforts generated 65 peer-reviewed papers and dissertations that met our final criteria for inclusion (i.e., data on the relative proportion of trees failed/intact as assessed no more than a year after the storm event). Of these papers 37 independent variables were assessed to predict tree failure. Research in both urban and rural settings tends to be concentrated in regions frequently impacted by tropical cyclones. Characteristics of species such as wood density have been studied in rural environments and are also relevant predictors for tree failure in urban trees. Environmental characteristics unique to urban settings such as planting areas surrounded by pavement need further research. Several urban studies demonstrate that risk assessment methods can predict tree failure during a storm. Conclusion: Results can be used by future storm researchers to identify both predictors may warrant inclusion in their models as well as predictors which have yet to be tested. Results can also inform planning and activities that can mitigate tropical cyclone damage to the urban forest

Predictors of tropical cyclone-induced urban tree failure: an international scoping review

BackgroundTrees are critical components of rural and urban ecosystems throughout the world. While they have adapted to the historic conditions of their native environments, climate change, urbanization, and human-assisted range expansion may test the storm resiliency of many tree species.ObjectiveIn this global multilingual scoping review, we investigate a range of intrinsic (i.e., tree characteristics) and external (i.e., environmental and management) factors which have been used to predict tree failure during tropical cyclones.DesignWe searched online databases and journals in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish to find peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. We retained papers that used ground-based methods to study tree damage following a tropical cyclone and conducted a statistical analysis of factors that influence tree resistance to damage. From each paper we extracted details of study methods, and the relationships between damage and predictors.ResultsOur efforts generated 65 peer-reviewed papers and dissertations that met our final criteria for inclusion (i.e., data on the relative proportion of trees failed/intact as assessed no more than a year after the storm event). Of these papers 37 independent variables were assessed to predict tree failure. Research in both urban and rural settings tends to be concentrated in regions frequently impacted by tropical cyclones. Characteristics of species such as wood density have been studied in rural environments and are also relevant predictors for tree failure in urban trees. Environmental characteristics unique to urban settings such as planting areas surrounded by pavement need further research. Several urban studies demonstrate that risk assessment methods can predict tree failure during a storm.ConclusionResults can be used by future storm researchers to identify both predictors may warrant inclusion in their models as well as predictors which have yet to be tested. Results can also inform planning and activities that can mitigate tropical cyclone damage to the urban forest

Extending our scientific reach in arboreal ecosystems for research and management

The arboreal ecosystem is vitally important to global and local biogeochemical processes, the maintenance of biodiversity in natural systems, and human health in urban environments. The ability to collect samples, observations, and data to conduct meaningful scientific research is similarly vital. The primary methods and modes of access remain limited and difficult. In an online survey, canopy researchers (n = 219) reported a range of challenges in obtaining adequate samples, including ∼10% who found it impossible to procure what they needed. Currently, these samples are collected using a combination of four primary methods: (1) sampling from the ground; (2) tree climbing; (3) constructing fixed infrastructure; and (4) using mobile aerial platforms, primarily rotorcraft drones. An important distinction between instantaneous and continuous sampling was identified, allowing more targeted engineering and development strategies. The combination of methods for sampling the arboreal ecosystem provides a range of possibilities and opportunities, particularly in the context of the rapid development of robotics and other engineering advances. In this study, we aim to identify the strategies that would provide the benefits to a broad range of scientists, arborists, and professional climbers and facilitate basic discovery and applied management. Priorities for advancing these efforts are (1) to expand participation, both geographically and professionally; (2) to define 2–3 common needs across the community; (3) to form and motivate focal teams of biologists, tree professionals, and engineers in the development of solutions to these needs; and (4) to establish multidisciplinary communication platforms to share information about innovations and opportunities for studying arboreal ecosystems

Chicago Region Tree Census County Data and Change Analysis

This report provides the county-level data of the 2020 tree census for the following counties: Cook (not including the city of Chicago), DuPage,Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Results from the change analyses, by comparing the 2010 and 2020 censuses, are also included

Patterns of genomic diversification reflect differences in life history and reproductive biology between figs (Ficus) and the stone oaks (Lithocarpus)

One of the remarkable aspects of the tremendous biodiversity found in tropical forests is the wide range of evolutionary strategies that have produced this diversity, indicating many paths to diversification. We compare two diverse groups of trees with profoundly different biologies to discover whether these differences are reflected in their genomes. Ficus (Moraceae), with its complex co-evolutionary relationship with obligate pollinating wasps, produces copious tiny seeds which are widely dispersed. Lithocarpus (Fagaceae), with generalized insect pollination, produces large seeds that are poorly dispersed. We hypothesize that these different reproductive biologies and life history strategies should have a profound impact on the basic properties of genomic divergence within each genus. Using shallow whole genome sequencing for 6 Ficus species, 7 Lithocarpus species, and 3 outgroups, we examined overall genomic diversity, how it is shared among the species within each genus, and the fraction of this shared diversity which agrees with the major phylogenetic pattern. Substantially larger fractions of the genome are shared among Lithocarpus species, a considerable amount of this shared diversity was incongruent with the general phylogeny of the stone oak species, and each fig species possessed a substantially larger fraction of unique diversity than the stone oaks.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Botanic gardens should lead the way to create a “Garden Earth” in the Anthropocene

The strength and expertise that botanic gardens bring to conservation are based on their detailed knowledge and understanding of the care, management, and biology of a diversity of plant species. This emphasis on the organism has led to many ex-situ and in-situ conservation programs aimed at protecting endangered species, restoring threatened populations, and establishing living plant and seed collections of endangered species. In China, the scale and pace of change in land and resource use, often leading to environmental degradation, has created a strong emphasis on improving environmental conditions. If done properly, being “green” can be a surprisingly complex issue, because it should encompass and exploit the whole of plant diversity and function. Unfortunately, ‘green’ often includes a small portion of this whole. Earth's rich plant diversity presents considerable opportunity but requires expertise and knowledge for stable and beneficial management. With the dawning of the Anthropocene, we should strive to live on a “Garden Earth”, where we design and manage our environments, both built and natural, to create a healthy, beneficial living landscape for people and other organisms. The staff of botanic gardens worldwide and the living collections they maintain embody the best examples of sustainable, beautiful, and beneficial environments that thrive on plant diversity. This expertise should be a fundamental resource for agencies in all sectors responsible for managing and designing “green” infrastructure. Botanic gardens should actively engage and contribute to these opportunities, from large public infrastructure projects to small private conservation efforts. Here, we discuss several ongoing conservation efforts, primarily in China, and attempt to identify areas where botanic gardens could make a significant and meaningful difference. Keywords: Green infrastructure, Botanic garden, Ex-situ conservation, In-situ conservation, Botanical garde

Molecular Evolutionary Analysis of the Alfin-Like Protein Family in <i>Arabidopsis lyrata</i>, <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>, and <i>Thellungiella halophila</i>

<div><p>In previous studies, the <i>Alfin1</i> gene, a transcription factor, enhanced salt tolerance in alfalfa, primarily through altering gene expression levels in the root. Here, we examined the molecular evolution of the Alfin-like (AL) proteins in two <i>Arabidopsis</i> species (<i>A. lyrata</i> and <i>A. thaliana</i>) and a salt-tolerant close relative <i>Thellungiella halophila</i>. These AL-like proteins could be divided into four groups and the two known DUF3594 and PHD-finger domains had co-evolved within each group of genes, irrespective of species, due to gene duplication events in the common ancestor of all three species while gene loss was observed only in <i>T. halophila</i>. To detect whether natural selection acted in the evolution of <i>AL</i> genes, we calculated synonymous substitution ratios (<i>dn/ds</i>) and codon usage statistics, finding positive selection operated on four branches and significant differences in biased codon usage in the AL family between <i>T. halophila</i> and <i>A. lyrata</i> or <i>A. thaliana</i>. Distinctively, only the AL7 branch was under positive selection on the PHD-finger domain and the three members on the branch showed the smallest difference when codon bias was evaluated among the seven clusters. Functional analysis based on transgenic overexpression lines and T-DNA insertion mutants indicated that salt-stress-induced <i>AtAL7</i> could play a negative role in salt tolerance of <i>A. thaliana</i>, suggesting that adaptive evolution occurred in the members of <i>AL</i> gene family.</p></div

Expression patterns of <i>AL</i> genes in <i>A.</i><i>thaliana</i> and expression of <i>AL7</i> in independent transgenic lines.

<p>A. RT-qPCR analyses of <i>AtAL1∼6</i> genes responding to salt stress. B. RT-qPCR analyses of <i>AtAL7</i> gene responding to salt stress. RNA samples were prepared from 3-week-old wild-type plants at the given times after treatment with salt (300 mM NaCl). C. RT-qPCR analyses of <i>AtAL7</i> genes responding to different salt concentrations in <i>A. thaliana</i>. RNA samples were prepared from 3-week-old wild-type plants after treatment with 100 mM NaCl, 200 mM NaCl, and 300 mM NaCl solutions for 4 hours. Error bars show standard deviations from three independent RNA extractions. D. Northern blot analysis of <i>AtAL7</i> genes responding to abiotic stresses. Each lane was loaded with 20 µg total RNA isolated from 21-day-old seedlings of <i>A. thaliana</i>. E. Northern blot analyses of <i>AtAL7</i> expression in <i>AtAL7</i> overexpression plants. RNA samples were prepared from leaves of nine 21-day-old lines of <i>AtAL7</i> overexpression plants. A 2 µg portion of RNA was separated on an agarose-formaldehyde gel.</p

Tests for selection among codons of AL proteins using site models.

a<p>The proportion of sites (p0, p1, etc.) estimated to have ω₀, ω₁, etc.</p>b<p>2(l₁– l₂).</p