Climate Ready Conifer Selection Guide for Metro Vancouver
Robin Hastings
Advisors: Tara Moreau, Amelia Needoba, Amy Blood, and Sara Barron
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change is causing increased environmental stress for urban trees within Metro Vancouver. Failure of urban forests to adapt may result in the decline of urban trees and their associated ecosystem services. Identifying tree species that can cope with changing conditions aims to prevent this scenario. Conifer trees are quintessential to Metro Vancouver’s urban landscape and represent an underutilized source of tree species diversity. Identifying species that are likely suited to projected future climates is an important step in building a diverse, resilient urban forest. This study used a decision matrix to allocate a score to species, indicating how suitable they are for a projected high greenhouse gas emissions scenario by 2100. Out of the 47 species in the species selection guide, 30 were identified as the most suitable. Supplemental information provides details for
tree health maintenance where other species may be desired. The 30 most suitable species provide a robust short list of species that
would make good candidates for further performance testing trials and the guide itself provides information that will help prevent a misallocation of resources through the selection of unsuitable trees.
Broadly speaking and from anecdotal observations, the Climate Suitability Scores for the species on the list matches with expectations, with a few notable exceptions. The methodology, with some modifications and adjustments holds promise as a system for quantifying tree species climate suitability.
There are species that are not commonly seen
planted in Metro Vancouver that scored highly.
For example, Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana),
modoc cypress (Hesperocyparis bakeri), China
fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) are all suitable
candidates for planting trials.
Keywords: Urban Forestry, Leadership
Download report here: Climate Ready Conifer Selection Guide for Metro Vancouver