Urban Forestry & Arboriculture as Interdisciplinary Environmental Science JESS VOGT
[email protected] Furman University 2014 – 15 DePaul University 2015 – Indiana University 2014 –
Co-authors:
RICH HAUER University of Wisconsin Stevens Point BURNEY FISCHER Indiana University Bloomington
AESS 2015 Conference San Diego California USA 24-27 June 2015
Presentation based on manuscript in review at JESS for special issue.
Image credit: NASA
UN calls for working across disciplines
“…ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” from the Sustainable Development Goals (UN Open Working Group 2015) Image credit: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015
Is urban forestry/arboriculture an interdisciplinary field?
Is urban forestry/arboriculture an interdisciplinary field? “planning, design, establishment, and management of trees and forest stands” in and around cities, towns, communities Elmendorf et al 2005
Is urban forestry/arboriculture an interdisciplinary field?
Is urban forestry/arboriculture an interdisciplinary field? Combining, integrating, applying knowledge from multiple disciplines to create new knowledge Spelt et al 2009
This study • Survey of urban forestry/arboriculture educators (in leadership roles) • Q’s about interdisciplinarity of UF/A curriculum • 115 responding institutions – 74% from U.S. – 54% had a ‘named’ program/degree in UF/A
Location of programs
Not identified 10 Other (incl. Liberal Arts, Public Affairs, Business, etc.) 11 Stand-alone programs 6
Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, or Plant Sciences 27
Agriculture, Forestry, or Natural Resources 53 Env Science/ Studies 8
Number of UF/A courses taught
1 course 39
5+ courses 19
4 courses 10
3 courses 17 2 courses 23
Importance & Incorporation of other major disciplines
Importance & Incorporation of other major disciplines
Importance & Incorporation of other major disciplines
Importance & Incorporation of other major disciplines
Key concepts in…
Less Incorporated
Benefits of trees Tree identification Plant/tree biology (structure, function) Plant/tree selection Tree diversity Pest/disease management Planting site evaluation Planting/installation technique Pruning Soil/nutrient management Tree inventories Tree risk management Municipal forestry Sustainable urban forests Tree preservation Managing tree-infrastructure conflict Canopy cover (& analysis) Urban forest planning Tree ordinances/legal issues Tree appraisal and valuation Water management Tree worker safety (incl. climbing) Tree support systems Growth control Storm and disaster planning/ Utility forestry Nonprofit forestry
1.0
More Incorporated 2.0
3.0
4.0
Key concepts in…
Less Incorporated
Benefits of trees Tree identification Plant/tree biology (structure, function) Plant/tree selection Tree diversity Pest/disease management Planting site evaluation Planting/installation technique Pruning Soil/nutrient management Tree inventories Tree risk management Municipal forestry Sustainable urban forests Tree preservation Managing tree-infrastructure conflict Canopy cover (& analysis) Urban forest planning Tree ordinances/legal issues Tree appraisal and valuation Water management Tree worker safety (incl. climbing) Tree support systems Growth control Storm and disaster planning/ Utility forestry Nonprofit forestry
Urban forestry/ arboriculture
1.0
More Incorporated 2.0
3.0
4.0
Key concepts in…
Less Incorporated
Benefits of trees Tree identification Plant/tree biology (structure, function) Plant/tree selection Tree diversity Pest/disease management Planting site evaluation Planting/installation technique Pruning Soil/nutrient management Tree inventories Tree risk management Municipal forestry Sustainable urban forests Tree preservation Managing tree-infrastructure conflict Canopy cover (& analysis) Urban forest planning Tree ordinances/legal issues Tree appraisal and valuation Water management Tree worker safety (incl. climbing) Tree support systems Growth control Storm and disaster planning/ Utility forestry Nonprofit forestry
Urban forestry/ arboriculture
1.0
More Incorporated 2.0
3.0
4.0
Key concepts in…
Less Incorporated 1.0 Invasive species Biodiversity Landscape ecology Urban ecosystems
Natural sciences
Ecosystem services (and valuation of) Climate change Soil ecology/microbial ecology Biogeochemical cycles Air pollution Ecological restoration Urban hydrology Conservation biology Interactions between species Evolution/natural selection Food and farming Design and conduct of scientific Plant genetics/cellular biology Energy systems (incl. electricity)
2.0
More Incorporated 3.0
4.0
Key concepts in…
Less Incorporated 1.0 Geographic information systems/ Community/public engagement Quality-of-life Sustainable development Cost-benefit analysis Risk analysis
Social sciences
Law and legal issues Recreation and tourism Technology (incl. innovation, transfer) Administrative issues (budgeting, Leadership Social dynamics Public relations Social-ecological systems Environmental economics Green/sustainable building/ Public goods and services Social norms and human behavior Urban redevelopment Program evaluation Vacant land management Transportation Mental health Optimization methods
2.0
More Incorporated 3.0
4.0
Key take-aways • Gap between ‘importance’ and ‘incorporation’ • Social science less integrated than natural science • More than 1/3 programs only 1 course • Interdisciplinary education…to what purpose? • How to assess ‘interdisciplinary-ness’ of curriculum?
Thank You
JESS VOGT Starting Sept 2015: Assistant Professor, Environmental Science and Studies College of Science and Health, DePaul University
[email protected] (920) 850 2016
