The City of Los Angeles is partnering with USC and community organizations for the Urban Tree Initiative, a program to promote the growth of the urban forest to improve health and quality of life for residents in the Los Angeles Eastside neighborhoods of Ramona Gardens, Lincoln Heights and El Sereno. Trees provide beneficial shade and cooling, which can in turn reduce the risk of heat stroke, heart attacks and respiratory problems due to exposure to air pollution and excess heat. Through the Urban Trees Initiative, researchers will be determining where trees should be planted as well as what types of trees will provide the most benefits if planted in the local community.
You will be assessing TWO different species of street trees to determine their relative benefits and recommending which ONE of the two species you think will be most beneficial to plant as a street tree in these neighborhoods for the Urban Trees Initiative.
Two tree species:
1.Avocado Tree (Persea Americana)
estimate for stomatal conductance: 6.26 x 10^-6
2.Crape-myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Estimate for stomatal conductance: 2.61
Topics needed to be covered for both tree species:
Biodiversity — Consider each tree species’ direct contribution to local biodiversity (Is it a native or introduced species?) as well as any potential indirect contributions through species interactions (does it provide resources for other species, especially native species?)
Ecosystem services — Consider each species’ potential contribution to ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, cooling, shade, reduction of air pollution and any other ecosystem services that the tree could potentially provide. Incorporate the data for stomatal conductance and ecosystem services
Habitat requirements — Consider the habitat requirements for the tree as this will be important in determining whether the tree is able to thrive as a street tree with minimal care now and in the future. For example, what are the water and temperature requirements? Will it likely be able to tolerate changing environmental conditions higher temperatures associated with climate change?
Your response should provide a strong, well-reasoned justification for your final recommendation that is supported by both data from the discussion and information on the biology and ecology of each of your two species from multiple outside sources. (Use of the scientific literature is always encouraged when possible, but other credible sources are also fine for this assignment.)
