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Naturalization is a new and promising ecological approach to green space development for urban environments, although knowledge is sparse on techniques to implement it. We evaluated naturalization of eight native trees and shrubs, with site preparation (tillage, herbicide) and soil amendment (compost rates) treatment combinations at six sites in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Soil texture improved with all compost rates, and acidity, electrical conductivity and total carbon increased, especially with 100% compost. Soil nutrients generally increased with compost then declined within a year. Plant species with highest potential for use in urban green spaces were Picea glauca, Symphoricarpos albus and Rosa acicularis. Herbicide was the most influential site preparation treatment, positively increasing survival and growth of planted woody species, while negatively lowering non-native species cover and increasing noxious weed cover. Soil amendment with compost influenced cover not species richness, with high compost amendment reducing vegetation cover across sites, and increasing individual plant size. This study suggests amendment of soil with compost and appropriate site preparation can positively influence naturalization of these woody species for urban green spaces.
Jaime Aguilar Rojas; Amalesh Dhar; M. Anne Naeth. Urban Naturalization for Green Spaces Using Soil Tillage, Herbicide Application, Compost Amendment and Native Vegetation. Land 2021, 10, 854 .
AMA StyleJaime Aguilar Rojas, Amalesh Dhar, M. Anne Naeth. Urban Naturalization for Green Spaces Using Soil Tillage, Herbicide Application, Compost Amendment and Native Vegetation. Land. 2021; 10 (8):854.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaime Aguilar Rojas; Amalesh Dhar; M. Anne Naeth. 2021. "Urban Naturalization for Green Spaces Using Soil Tillage, Herbicide Application, Compost Amendment and Native Vegetation." Land 10, no. 8: 854.
Naturalization is a relatively new management strategy for green areas within the urban environment. The approach undertaken in this research was to stop mowing and then plant with native species. The information available for decision makers regarding naturalization is very limited. The urban planner based on previous experiences is recommended to establish native species to the region. Native species have specific adaptations that allow them to withstand and survive in their endemic habitat. By limiting human intervention and reintroducing native species an area is eventually naturalized, meaning no further management of the area is needed to become an assemblage of the naturally occurring landscape. The current study assesses how successfully these native plant species establish in an urban setting using naturalization as a management approach. A comparison between soil tillage and no tillage combined with compost and topsoil amendments being tested to identify the most suitable species for urban naturalization and the best management practices to enhance this practice. Naturalization is a strategy that presents a great opportunity for urban centers to integrate native species into the landscape. If done properly, a successful naturalization strategy can significantly improve city management costs, promote preservation of local species, restore environmental services and encourage more members of these communities to embrace naturalization as a desirable strategy to follow.
Jaime Aguilar Rojas; M Anne Naeth. Urban Naturalization, A Recently Adopted Approach Towards Sustainable Cities. Proceedings of 8th Conference of the International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU) 2015, 1 .
AMA StyleJaime Aguilar Rojas, M Anne Naeth. Urban Naturalization, A Recently Adopted Approach Towards Sustainable Cities. Proceedings of 8th Conference of the International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU). 2015; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaime Aguilar Rojas; M Anne Naeth. 2015. "Urban Naturalization, A Recently Adopted Approach Towards Sustainable Cities." Proceedings of 8th Conference of the International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU) , no. : 1.