Jim Doten - Supervisor Environmental Services at the Minneapolis Public Health in Minneapolis, MN.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) can devastate the ash population in an urban canopy within six years of detection. Trees play an important role in urban air quality by reducing ozone and particulate matter. The loss of these services results in increased human mortality. Between 2002 and 2007 EAB-infected counties experienced 23.5 additional deaths per 100,000 adults from cardiovascular disease and respiratory-related mortality. The City of Minneapolis, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the University of Minnesota have teamed to study the potential role of biochar in restoring lost ecological services. The University of Minnesota developed a study using different ratios of biochar/compost soil amendment treatments on 600 replacement trees. The study will evaluate the effect on tree mortality and vigor over a five-year period. The goal is to speed the replacement of ecological services and minimize EAB public health effects.Ope
