The role of aborists in providing wildlife habitat and landscape linkages throughout the urban forest

Abstract

In recent years, great advances have been made in arboriculture, but the main design professions, the general public, and some arborists still lack understanding about the ecological functions of trees for other organisms, and how these ecological functions and processes connect across larger landscapes. Consequently, many opportunities for the retention or creation of wildlife habitat in the urban forest are still being lost. Some of these opportunities are discussed, along with examples from British Columbia. A selection of references from related fields is included to provide a basis for further reading and understanding about landscape ecology, greenways, wildlife trees, and how arborists might integrate the principles from these fields into their practice.