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.
Maguire Project : Monitoring of different tree pit designs and installations on urban tree survival and growth
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In partnership with the City of Quebec, the CRAUM will take advantage of the new development of Maguire Avenue, which has been redeveloped into a friendly green street. Planting 94 urban trees was thought out upstream to integrate a research site to develop and evaluate new structural planting pits. Structural tree pits are important for the growth and survival of urban trees, and this site will allow us, among other things, to study the long-term effects of different pit and soil designs. This integrated approach, therefore, offers a golden research opportunity while improving the quality of urban life.
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Student : Dominic Bartolacci
Professional : Claudelle Bourque Category: Master Advisor : Janani Sivarajah Date : 2023 - ... |
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 |
Technosol Project : Review of technosols and their potential for application in Quebec City
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In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Fauna and Parks (MELCCFP), Université Laval, and the City of Quebec, the main objective of this project is to review the literature on technosols and its application methods to test its feasibility in Quebec City.
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Professionnal : Manuella Strukelj Humphery
Category : Research professional Advisor : Janani Sivarajah Date : 2023 - ... |
Technosol Project : Analyze the potential, develop and create constructed soils (technosols) in urban areas
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The project's objective is to analyze to what extent constructed soils, from now on referred to as "technosol", contribute to increasing carbon storage in the soil and direct GHG emissions through substituting recycled materials. Working alongside our project partners, we conduct experiments and installations in the field to provide the best technosol recommendations for tree plantations and other uses in urban areas.
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Student : Tommy Gonthier
Category : Master Advisor : Janani Sivarajah Co-advisor : Alison Munson Date : January 2024 |
Technosol Project : Assessment of Contaminants and Pollutants in Technosols
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This doctoral research aims to enhance urban forestry and ecosystem resilience through the application of technosols—engineered soils that incorporate at least 20% urban waste materials, such as crushed bricks and concrete, arranged in soil pits with various substrate layers in a vertical gradient. Contaminant retention and pollutant leaching patterns will be analyzed, and the effectiveness of these substrates in reducing heavy metal toxicity to support urban vegetation growth will be evaluated. Additionally, plant health and pollutant accumulation in plant tissues will be measured to assess the impact of technosols on growth and resilience. Conducted in living laboratories across various Canadian cities, this research seeks to identify sustainable soil compositions that improve ecosystem health and promote human well-being.
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Student : Md Ahosan Habib Ador
Category : PhD Advisor : Janani Sivarajah Co-advisor : Clare Wiseman Date : January 2024 |
Biochar Project : Mitigation of GHG from urban soils using biochar: a multi-city study
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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.
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Thanks to all of our research partners and funders !
