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.
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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?
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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
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A new project under the NSERC Alliance mission, based at the University of Toronto (Sean Thomas), aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using biochar derived from urban wood residues as a soil amendment in street tree pits across several Canadian cities, including Toronto, Québec, Mississauga, and Edmonton. The project seeks to identify GHG emission hotspots and mitigate them by incorporating biochar into urban soils. The overarching goal is to assess the effects of biochar on soil GHG fluxes and tree growth, within the broader context of urban forestry and green infrastructure.
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Postdoctoral fellow : Gilles Raoul Lontsi Meli
Category : Postdoc Advisor : Janani Sivarajah Date : 2023 - ... |
Thanks to all of our research partners and funders !
