Tree Advisor: A Novel Woody Plant Selection Tool to Support Multifunctional Objectives

Gary Bentrup,Michael G Dosskey

doi:10.3390/land11030397

Abstract

Purposefully planted trees and shrubs can provide multiple benefits when appropriately planned and designed. Tools to help select species that will function more effectively than other species for ecosystem services, production, and aesthetic purposes are generally lacking. To address this challenge, we developed an interactive plant selection tool entitled Tree Advisor that rates woody species for a wide range of different purposes based on plant attributes. In this prototype decision support tool, 90 species of trees and shrubs are rated for 14 different purposes in the northern and central Great Plains region of the United States. A rating algorithm was developed based on the scientific literature regarding plant functions and related attributes that determine relative performance of a species for each purpose. User input and best practices for developing effective decision support tools informed the tool development process. Based on user feedback, the tool supports multifunctional planning and enables a user to quickly develop a short list of the better species to use which can then be refined by the user based on suitability under local site conditions, commercial availability, and availability of locally adapted cultivars and hybrids. This tool development approach can serve as a model for producing multifunctional woody plant selection tools for other ecoregions.

Highlights

Nature-based solutions are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits” [1]
The Decision support tools (DSTs) currently provides users with three ways to utilize the tool, allowing flexibility in use depending on the information desired
The one limitation currently noted by users has been the inability to filter results by specific site conditions

Summary

Introduction

Nature-based solutions are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits” [1]. These actions can involve deliberately planted vegetation [2] and are being proposed and implemented through a number of international planting programs including Trillion Trees [3], Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign [4], and the agroforestry-based Grow Ahead program [5]. Some resources are connecting species with functions and purposes; it is not always transparent on why a species is considered appropriate for a specific function or purpose [16,17]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion