Tag: Maintaining and Enhancing Biodiversity

Research Spotlight: Tree Inventory
Research Spotlight: Tree Inventory
Along Main Mall, within building courtyards, and everywhere in between, trees play an important part in providing essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and mitigating the urban heat island effect.

In order to conduct meaningful research and analysis of trees on campus, baseline data neeeds to be collected and available to researchers and planners. This includes information such as:
- How many trees are on campus?
- What species of trees are on campus?
- Where are trees distributed around campus?
- What are some metrics associated with each tree, such as their height?
Enter: the Tree Inventory Research Project!

Tree Inventory Basics

“A tree inventory refers to a systematic process of gathering information on various attributes of trees including tree species, health, location, size and ecosystem services.”
Tree Inventory Toolkit

The UBC Vancouver tree inventory is an ongoing student-led collaboration which started in 2018 and is estimated to finish in August 2025. In partnership with the SEEDS Sustainability Program, Campus and Community Planning, and UFOR 220 (Urban Forest Inventory and Assessment) faculty, students are assigned specific plots located within different campus zones and are given the opportunity to gain experience contributing to the campus tree inventory.

The current tree inventory has 8 Phases (Figure 1), and as of May 2023, Phases 1 through 5, which cover the core academic campus are nearly complete.

Figure 1. A map of the UBC Vancouver Campus which outlines phases 1-8 of the Tree Inventory Research Project. Phase 1-5 make up the core academic campus, and the inventory in these zones is expected to be complete by September 2023.

Steps to Conducting a Tree Inventory

There are three main parts to conducting a tree inventory.

1) Establishment: this step involves defining the spatial boundaries of the study, choosing the inventory type (dynamic vs. static; complete vs. partial), deciding on tools and measurement techniques, and subdividing the areas between student groups.

2) Measuring: this step involves taking measurements of different tree metrics, such as total tree height (TTH) and crown width (for a complete list of metrics measured, refer to Figure 2). The collected data is then cleaned and input into a single spreadsheet.

3) Analysis: using software such as iTreeEco, ecosystem services of measured trees can be estimated, which allows for students to conduct analyses such as value mapping.

Figure 2. An infographic showing the different metrics and information that is collected from each tree during a tree inventory.

The Purpose of Tree Inventories

The information and insights obtained from both the collected data and the subsequent analyses can be used in many different ways, such as informing conservation efforts by highlighting areas of particular interest.

Upon the completion of the inventory in 2025, the final deliverables can be used to inform biodiversity baselining on campus and ongoing monitoring efforts, while also aiding campus planners when they have to make important decisions about the design, composition, and sustainable management of green spaces

The Future of the Tree Inventory Project

Between April and August of 2023, a team of students will perform a systematic review of the tree inventory data to ensure the accuracy and usability of the data that has already been collected in the completed phases (1-5). This team will be led by senior Urban Forestry student ,Finn Köpf, and will focus on correcting errors and gaps in data.

Figure 3. Senior Forestry Student Finn Köpf, leading students on a walk focused on trees on UBC Vancouver Campus.

Work to better understand biodiversity on campus has never been more important. In ever-changing conditions, biodiversity on campus can help to maintain resilience in the face of climate change. To learn more about the tree inventory, explore the Tree Inventory Toolkit.
Along Main Mall, within building courtyards, and everywhere in between, trees play an important part in providing essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and mitigating the urban heat island effect. In order to conduct meaningful research and analysis of trees on campus, baseline data neeeds to be collected and available to researchers and planners.…
Walking Among Giants

Walking Among Giants

Rediscovering the hidden treasure in our backyard!

The Tree Walk

The Tree Walk & Talk was led by fourth-year Urban Forestry student, Finn Köepf, and took place on a sunny day filled with fascinating facts, theories and stories about the urban forest on the UBC Vancouver campus. “Whereas previous years’ tree walks have been organized specifically for Urban Forestry students, this year’s walk was designed for the general public to showcase underappreciated trees on campus,” said Finn.

Finn led over 30 participants across the UBC campus, from the Forest Sciences Center to the Nest, exploring green spaces and trees that are often overlooked.

Pictured: Over 30 people attended the Tree Walk and traveled across campus to view culturally and ecologically significant trees on campus.

What set this year’s Tree Walk apart was the focus on stories of individual trees and their connections and significance to people on campus. “I was pleasantly surprised that the talk did not only cover the ecological significance of the selected trees but also many interesting stories that highlighted their cultural and sociological significance,” said Grace, a UBC alumna, who participated in the Tree Walk. The walk was a great reminder that stories exist everywhere, and that they can bring people and nature closer together.

“It reminded me that maybe nature doesn’t need to be out in the bush, but can be in your backyard.”
Kate, a recent graduate of the Faculty of Forestry

Pictured: Hidden on campus is a Japanese Asunaro, look carefully or you’ll mistake it for a Red Cedar. The underside of this tree’s needles is scale-like and reminiscent of dragon scales!

DID YOU KNOW?

Camperdown Elm: The Upside-Down Tree

Situated right across from Koerner Library and near the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre is a rather odd-looking tree. Local lore claims that this tree was flipped on its head and replanted by a group of Urban Forestry students. The results? The tree’s roots became branches with leaves, and its branches became roots, giving the tree a pendulous appearance! Do you believe this local lore?

Pictured: The “upside-down” Camperdown Elm tree across from Koerner Library.

The Tree Inventory

It is important that knowledge about trees is gathered to help inform campus decision making to support human and ecological health and well-being. Gathering and monitoring data on tree health and condition can for example, help reduce the risk of tree-falls. UBC’s current Tree Inventory is split into 8 sections. As of May 2023, 5 of 8 sections covering the core academic campus are nearly complete thanks to applied student research through SEEDS collaborations.

Pictured: Urban Forestry student Finn Köepf speaking about the importance of maintaining and updating the Tree Inventory at the Tree Walk.

This summer Finn is working on a SEEDS collaboration with students, faculty and staff to ensure the accuracy and usability of the tree inventory data that has already been collected. Finn shared, “…it is also important to collect cultural and historic stories of our campus trees to further understand the significance these plants can have on campus staff and students that bring rich cultural perspectives from all over the world.”

The Tree Inventory along with its toolkit will continue to play a large role in applied student research on campus and help inform future and current campus policies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sugi: The Giving Tree

Many of you will be familiar with the Japanese tradition of forest bathing, and the psychological benefits that it brings to our mental health. But did you know that the Japanese Cryptomeria tree, or Sugi, releases a smell with biological healing properties?

Its wood can also be used to build furniture, houses, and ornamental carvings, and its leaves for incense: the real-life Giving Tree!

Pictured: Attendees fascinated by the healing properties of the Sugi tree.

The UBC Tree Walk & Talk is one of many activities embedded in the Biodiversity Days month-long celebration in May to honour the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22). Hosted by UBC Botanical Garden in collaboration with SEEDS Sustainability Program and Climate Crisis in Urban Biodiversity Initiative (CCUB), this year’s events feature family nature walks, a student Research to Action Showcase, tree and bird tours, citizen science action, virtual events, practical workshops and more.

Rediscovering the hidden treasure in our backyard! The Tree Walk The Tree Walk & Talk was led by fourth-year Urban Forestry student, Finn Köepf, and took place on a sunny day filled with fascinating facts, theories and stories about the urban forest on the UBC Vancouver campus. “Whereas previous years’ tree walks have been organized…