Chapter 4: Plant Succession and Disturbances in the Urban Forest ...

Chapter 4: Plant Succession and Disturbances in the Urban Forest Ecosystem 22
• Start with small demonstration projects.
Remember that succession and natural
disturbances do not always follow our human-made
geographical boundaries. Integrated efforts may be
needed to better achieve restoration goals at the
landscape level.
It is also important to involve the local
community in every step of the restoration process.
Successful urban forest restoration projects often
include an educational and outreach component.
Educate people about the benefits of succession and
the benefits of re-introducing natural disturbances.
Suggested Readings
Adams, L. and L.E. Dove. 1989. Wildlife
reserves and corridors in the urban environment: A
guide to ecological landscape planning and resource
conservation. Columbia, MD: National Institute for
Urban Wildlife.
Adams, L. W. 1994. Urban wildlife habitats: A
landscape perspective. Minneapolis, MN: University
of Minnesota Press.
Franklin, J.F. 1993. Preserving biodiversity:
Species, ecosystems or landscapes Ecological
Applications 3(2): 202-205.
Smith, D.S. and P.C. Hellmund. 1993. Ecology
of greenways: Design and function of linear
conservation areas. Minneapolis, MN: University of
Minnesota.
Cited Literature
Bormann, F.H. and G.E. Likens. 1979. Pattern
and process in a forested ecosystem. New York, NY:
Springer-Verlag.
Connell, J.H. 1978. Diversity in tropical rain
forests and coral reefs. Science 199: 1302-1310.
Eckert, A.W. 1974. The owls of North America.
New York: Doubleday and Co.
Ewel, J.J. 1986. Invasibility: Lessons from
South Florida. In Ecology of biological invasions of
North America and Hawaii, edited by H.A. Mooney
and J.A. Drake. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag.
Meyers, L. and J.J. Ewel. 1990. Ecosystems of
Florida. Gainesville, FL: University of Central
Florida Press.
Neilson, E.L. Jr. and D.E. Benson. 1991.
Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Handbook. Colorado
State University: Department of Fishery and Wildlife
Biology.
Obrecht, H.H.III, W.J. Fleming and J.H.
Parsons. 1991. Management of powerline
rights-of-way for botanical and wildlife value in
metropolitan areas. In Wildlife conservation in
metropolitan environments, edited by L.W. Adams
and D.L. Leedy. Columbia, MD: National Institute
for Urban Wildlife.
Perry, D.A. 1994. Forest ecosystems. London:
The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Pickett, S.T.A. and P.S. White. 1985. The
ecology of natural disturbance and patch dynamics.
New York, NY: Academic Press, Inc.
Platt, W J., G.W. Adams and S.L. Rathbun.
1988. The population dynamics of a long-lived
conifer (Pinus palustris). American Naturalist
131:491-525.
Smith, R.B. 1997. Gopher tortoises (Gopher
polyphemus). Kennedy Space Center and Enchanted
Forest Nature Sanctuary, October 16 1997 [cited
1997]. Available from
http://www.nbbd.com/godo/ef/gtortoise/index.html
Turner, M.G. 1987. Landscape heterogeneity
and disturbances. New York: Springer-Verlag.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1981. The Platte
River ecology study special research report. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Jamestown, ND.
Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research
Center Home Page [cited July 16 1997]. available
from
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/
platteco/platteco.htm
Vitousek, P.M. 1986. Biological invasions and
ecosystem properties: Can species make a
difference In Ecology of biological invasions of
North America and Hawaii, edited by H.A. Mooney
and J.A. Drake. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag.