Identifying urban food trees in campus green spaces

Abstract

The environmental impact of food is one of the drivers of cities’ growing interest in the developed food system in urban areas, one of which is campus green space. Green spaces (GS) on campus accompany native trees, landscaping, and water features for nurturing wildlife and people in the surrounding campus. In addition, GS can provide food sources such as fruit, alternative food, seeds, and nuts. This study aims to identify food trees in 120 hectares of the University Sumatera Utara campus area through field inventory methods. Our research showed that 49 species belong to 18 families and 1536 individuals USU campus produce beneficial food for people surrounding campus, either fruit, nuts, and alternative food. Thus, we conclude that the university’s green space can support the urban area’s vision as food providers and ecological services for achieving urban sustainability. Furthermore, gathering and gleaning from green space provides opportunities for inhabitants to maintain urban resources and deeply interact with nature.