Abstract
Our overall goal was to examine forest condition across different land use types through measurement of various biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic variables. Thirty-six permanent 0.05-ha circular plots were established along an urban-rural gradient near Columbus, Ga, USA. In general, forest structure did not differ by land use type for the majority of variables measured. However, urban forests contained less total tree and hardwood species than developing or rural areas. Regarding forest condition, no differences were observed for pest or disease incidence by land use, but more mechanical injury (broken branches, wounds, etc.) was found in urban locales. Lichens were the most sensitive indicator of possible changes in forest condition. Lichen incidence, abundance, and species richness were the greatest in rural forests and the least in urban locations. These factors were related to several indicators of urbanization such as housing density and distance from roads. In this case study subtle, but significant changes in forest structure and condition may have resulted from alterations in land use patterns.
Highlights
Urbanization is a leading cause of land transformation worldwide and is occurring rapidly in many regions of the United States as a result of an ever-expanding population base [1]
Regarding “percent pest incidence for all trees” and “percent disease incidence for all trees,” there were no significant differences observed between the land use types (Table 3)
The combined injury to trees resulting from pest + disease + mechanical injury was 2.3-fold greater in urban areas than that in rural land use types, while injury to trees in developing areas was not significantly different from either
Summary
Urbanization is a leading cause of land transformation worldwide and is occurring rapidly in many regions of the United States as a result of an ever-expanding population base [1]. Urbanization describes a process whereby the portion of a population living in cities increases and land use is transformed into a more human-modified pattern of organization [2]. As a result, forested land in this region is being converted to human-modified urban uses at astonishing rates. As populations continue to rise, the conversion of land from rural to urban will only increase. This conversion of forested lands to highly-modified urban areas poses a major threat to the sustainability of Southern forests [4]. Having few topographic boundaries to curb sprawl, many areas of the Southern US are experiencing similar patterns of change
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