Theme 2 : Long-term impacts of development on urban soils
The second research theme is concerned with understanding the long-term impacts on urban soils related to human anthropogenic activities. Here, we evaluate and design innovative practices in new plantations, prioritizing adequate space for tree growth. Furthermore, we want to characterize the factors affecting the survival of new plantations to improve them, by focusing on soil substrates and healthy development of roots. Finally, we explore using urban soils as a climate change mitigation tool.
GHG Project : Understanding the contribution of urban trees to methane and greenhouse gas emissions.
|
Heat islands represent a kind of urban microclimate where temperatures are significantly higher than in the surrounding rural areas. For this trial project, 30 trees were selected, 15 in heat islands and 15 in cooler rural areas. The aim of the project is to understand the contribution of urban trees to methane and greenhouse gas emissions. Do urban trees contribute differently to methane levels in heat islands?
|
Student : Alexandre Lescoulie
Category : Master Advisor : Janani Sivarajah Co-advisor : Marc-André Bourgault Date : September 2024 |
Biochar Project : Mitigation of GHG from urban soils using biochar: a multi-city study
|
A new NSERC Alliance Mission project, based at University of Toronto (Sean Thomas) addresses GHG emissions associated with urban waste and in urban tree trenches, in several cities across Canada (Toronto, Quebec City, Mississauga and Edmonton). The project evaluates hotspots of emissions while working to mitigate these problems using biochar as an amendment to improve carbon sequestration in urban soils, reduce direct GHG emissions and increase the growth of urban vegetation and its resilience to stress.
|
Thanks to all of our research partners and funders !
