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Video: Warming Cities Create a Buggy Problem

By Climate Adaptation Science Centers June 21, 2021

Southeast CASC researcher Steve Frank explains how warming cities may make for a more welcoming environment for pests.

Watch the video from Local Motives

Southeast CASC researcher Steve Frank from North Carolina State University was interviewed by the documentary series Local Motives on his research on the urban heat island effect, where urban areas full of impervious surfaces (e.g. sidewalks, roads, buildings) experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. Frank explains how warmer conditions in urban areas may increase the presence of tree pests, threatening urban tree health. This research can inform urban planning that is considerate of climate change impacts.

This work stems from the Southeast CASC supported projects:

Effects of Urbanization on the Conservation Value of Forests

Consequences of Urbanization and Climate Change on Human and Ecosystem Health

Tree Eaters: Predicting the Response of Herbivores to the Integrated Effects of Urban and Global Change

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A photo of Chattanooga River in North Carolina.

Effects of Urbanization on the Conservation Value of Forests

Urbanization in the Southeast U.S. is among the fastest in the nation, and represents a primary threat to threatened and endangered species. As urbanized areas expand, they are encroaching on preserved areas, like national wildlife refuges, and are dividing forests into smaller fragments. Forests that are located next to cities and suburbs are exposed to high temperatures, pollution, insect pests,
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Effects of Urbanization on the Conservation Value of Forests

Urbanization in the Southeast U.S. is among the fastest in the nation, and represents a primary threat to threatened and endangered species. As urbanized areas expand, they are encroaching on preserved areas, like national wildlife refuges, and are dividing forests into smaller fragments. Forests that are located next to cities and suburbs are exposed to high temperatures, pollution, insect pests,
Learn More
link
Wide-spread urban flooding in Georgia, Sept. 2009

Consequences of Urbanization and Climate Change on Human and Ecosystem Health

In this proposal we investigate how tree selection at the local scale affects biodiversity and ecosystem services (Obj. 1). We then look regionally to determine the extent to which trees in cities can be used to predict heat-related threats to rural forests (Obj. 2). We will leverage ongoing investigations of heat-related stress and pest outbreaks in urban and rural forests to develop management r
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Consequences of Urbanization and Climate Change on Human and Ecosystem Health

In this proposal we investigate how tree selection at the local scale affects biodiversity and ecosystem services (Obj. 1). We then look regionally to determine the extent to which trees in cities can be used to predict heat-related threats to rural forests (Obj. 2). We will leverage ongoing investigations of heat-related stress and pest outbreaks in urban and rural forests to develop management r
Learn More
link
Image: Monarch Caterpillar or Larva and Droppings

Tree Eaters: Predicting the Response of Herbivores to the Integrated Effects of Urban and Global Change

Climate in the southeastern U.S. is predicted to be changing at a slower rate than other parts of North America. However, land use change associated with urbanization is having a significant effect on wildlife populations and habitat availability. We sought to understand the effect of global warming on both beneficial and pest insects of trees. We used urban warming as a proxy for global warming a
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Tree Eaters: Predicting the Response of Herbivores to the Integrated Effects of Urban and Global Change

Climate in the southeastern U.S. is predicted to be changing at a slower rate than other parts of North America. However, land use change associated with urbanization is having a significant effect on wildlife populations and habitat availability. We sought to understand the effect of global warming on both beneficial and pest insects of trees. We used urban warming as a proxy for global warming a
Learn More

Related Content

link
A photo of Chattanooga River in North Carolina.

Effects of Urbanization on the Conservation Value of Forests

Urbanization in the Southeast U.S. is among the fastest in the nation, and represents a primary threat to threatened and endangered species. As urbanized areas expand, they are encroaching on preserved areas, like national wildlife refuges, and are dividing forests into smaller fragments. Forests that are located next to cities and suburbs are exposed to high temperatures, pollution, insect pests,
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Effects of Urbanization on the Conservation Value of Forests

Urbanization in the Southeast U.S. is among the fastest in the nation, and represents a primary threat to threatened and endangered species. As urbanized areas expand, they are encroaching on preserved areas, like national wildlife refuges, and are dividing forests into smaller fragments. Forests that are located next to cities and suburbs are exposed to high temperatures, pollution, insect pests,
Learn More
link
Wide-spread urban flooding in Georgia, Sept. 2009

Consequences of Urbanization and Climate Change on Human and Ecosystem Health

In this proposal we investigate how tree selection at the local scale affects biodiversity and ecosystem services (Obj. 1). We then look regionally to determine the extent to which trees in cities can be used to predict heat-related threats to rural forests (Obj. 2). We will leverage ongoing investigations of heat-related stress and pest outbreaks in urban and rural forests to develop management r
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Consequences of Urbanization and Climate Change on Human and Ecosystem Health

In this proposal we investigate how tree selection at the local scale affects biodiversity and ecosystem services (Obj. 1). We then look regionally to determine the extent to which trees in cities can be used to predict heat-related threats to rural forests (Obj. 2). We will leverage ongoing investigations of heat-related stress and pest outbreaks in urban and rural forests to develop management r
Learn More
link
Image: Monarch Caterpillar or Larva and Droppings

Tree Eaters: Predicting the Response of Herbivores to the Integrated Effects of Urban and Global Change

Climate in the southeastern U.S. is predicted to be changing at a slower rate than other parts of North America. However, land use change associated with urbanization is having a significant effect on wildlife populations and habitat availability. We sought to understand the effect of global warming on both beneficial and pest insects of trees. We used urban warming as a proxy for global warming a
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Tree Eaters: Predicting the Response of Herbivores to the Integrated Effects of Urban and Global Change

Climate in the southeastern U.S. is predicted to be changing at a slower rate than other parts of North America. However, land use change associated with urbanization is having a significant effect on wildlife populations and habitat availability. We sought to understand the effect of global warming on both beneficial and pest insects of trees. We used urban warming as a proxy for global warming a
Learn More

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