Urban forestryCare of trees in urban environmentsUrban forestry in New York CityUrban forestry is the care and management of single trees and tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Also called urban tree canopy, urban forestry involves both planning and management, including the programming of care and maintenance operations of the urban forest. Urban forestry advocates the role of trees as a critical part of the urban infrastructure.
ForestA forest is an ecosystem characterized by a dense community of trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function.
Municipal forestA municipal forest or municipal woodland is a forest or wood owned by a town or city. Such woods often have a higher density of leisure facilities like play parks, restaurants and cafes, bridleways, cycle paths and footpaths. Unlike an urban forest, which is located largely or entirely within an urban area and may be privately owned, a municipal forest is publicly owned and may well be outside the city or town to which it belongs.
Urban areaAn urban area, also known as a built-up area or urban agglomeration, is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment. Urban areas originate through urbanization, and researchers categorize them as cities, towns, conurbations or suburbs. In urbanism, the term "urban area" contrasts to rural areas such as villages and hamlets. In urban sociology or urban anthropology, it often contrasts with natural environment.
CityLarge permanent human settlementFrom top, left to right: Lagos, one of the world's fastest-growing megacities; Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo; painting of Boulevard Montmartre in Paris by Camille Pissarro; the Rocinhafavela in Rio de Janeiro; 6th Avenue in Manhattan; spice market in Delhi; Hong Kong; and the São Paulo MetroA city is a human settlement of a substantial size.
EcosystemCommunity of living organisms together with the nonliving components of their environmentLeft: Coral reef ecosystems are highly productive marine systems. Right: Temperate rainforest, a terrestrial ecosystem.An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by organisms in interaction with their environment, where the biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Ecosystems are controlled by external and internal factors.
BushlandIn Australia, bushland is a blanket term for land which supports remnant vegetation or land which is disturbed but still retains a predominance of the original floristics and structure. Human survival in bushland has a whole mythology evolving around it, with the stories of Aboriginal trackers and bushrangers deeply entrenched in Australian folklore. Bushland has been a traditional source of wood for fuel and bushfood.
Grove (nature)A grove is a small group of trees with minimal or no undergrowth, or a small orchard planted for the cultivation of fruits or nuts. Naturally occurring groves are typically small, perhaps a few acres at most, such as a sequoia grove. In contrast, orchards, which are normally intentional planting of trees, may be small or very large, like the apple orchards in Washington state, orange groves in Florida and olive groves in Australia.
SuburbA suburb (more broadly suburban area) is an area within a metropolitan area which is predominantly residential and within commuting distance of a large city. Suburbs can have their own political or legal jurisdictions, especially in the United States, but this is not always the case, especially in the United Kingdom, where most suburbs are located within the administrative boundaries of cities.
Ecological restorationScientific study of renewing and restoring ecosystemsRecently constructed wetland regeneration in Australia, on a site previously used for agricultureRehabilitation of a portion of Johnson Creek, to restore bioswale and flood control functions of the land which had long been converted to pasture for cow grazing. The horizontal logs can float, but are anchored by the posts. Newly planted trees will eventually stabilize the soil.
TownType of human settlementLeft to right, from top:Ipswich in England, Porvoo in Finland, Lemgo in Germany, Davos in Switzerland, Skalica in Slovakia, Ubud in Bali (Indonesia), Fátima in Portugal, Viljandi in Estonia.A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city.
Riparian zoneA riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream. In some regions, the terms riparian buffer zone, riparian corridor, and riparian strip are used to characterize a riparian zone. The word riparian is derived from Latin, meaning "river bank". Riparian zones are transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that play a critical role in regulating hydrological processes, maintaining water quality, and supporting biodiversity.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.