Shades of Green: Urban Tree Biodiversity and Its Relationship to Climate and Social Vulnerability
March 22, 2022
By Adrienne Keller, Postdoctoral Researcher in the the University of Minnesota Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, and the MSP LTER Urban Forests Team
Trees have an important role to play in creating more livable urban spaces. For example, trees can regulate water runoff, moderate extreme temperatures, and provide recreational and mental health benefits to residents. Here in Minnesota and across the globe, efforts abound to plant more trees in order to paint our cities green and increase urban sustainability. What has gotten less attention is the diversity of trees that make up our urban forests.