Abstract
Integrating healthy, mature trees into paved urban environments is a challenging task for urban foresters, as impervious pavements are associated with reduced tree growth and survival. It is thought that porous pavements may alleviate this problem due to their permeability to air and water. The authors of the following study tested whether porous pavements affect tree growth relative to impervious pavements by measuring aboveground growth in trees treated with an augmented factorial arrangement of pavement profile designs and pavement types. Fifty oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) seedlings were evenly distributed to control plots or one of four treatments. Treated plots were characterized either by porous or impervious pavement pads measuring 2.3 m × 2.3 m, that were underlain either by fine sandy loam or a gravel base and compacted subgrade, reflecting two pavement profile designs. Results show stem height, diameter, and biomass increased as a result of porous pavements. Greater growth proffered by porous pavements was negated by profile designs including a compacted subgrade and gravel base. Finally, impervious pavements did not negatively influence tree growth, relative to control trees.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
