{"title":"Forecasting Tree Root Architecture as a Complement to Proactive Urban\u0000 Green Space Design","authors":"Justin Miron, Andrew A. Millward","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2024.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2024.005","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Stewarding newly planted urban trees to maturity involves\u0000 consideration of above- and belowground factors. While landscape\u0000 architects and urban planners often focus on aboveground tree aspects,\u0000 understanding root structure and function is crucial, especially in\u0000 urban areas with limited underground space and diverse soil conditions.\u0000 To address the importance and challenges of belowground planning for\u0000 urban tree roots, we propose a protocol for site assessment and\u0000 demonstrate root growth forecasting as a complement to existing urban\u0000 planning approaches.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 This paper describes adaptations to a plant root architecture\u0000 simulator, RootBox, and its subsequent application in 4 scenarios\u0000 created to assess its efficacy as a complement to the phase of urban\u0000 planning that prescribes vegetation type and planting location in the\u0000 context of a myriad of other site considerations. RootBox was\u0000 parameterized based on observed conformity of root growth simulations to\u0000 generalized tree root architecture reported in the literature.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Root growth forecasts for each scenario illustrate that plausible\u0000 urban tree root system architectures—specifically, commonly observed\u0000 root growth habits—can be produced by\u0000 RootBox.In-situroot detection (e.g., with\u0000 an air spade or hydro-vac) at predetermined time intervals can provide\u0000 model validation and the opportunity to backward reconfigure RootBox\u0000 parameters for forecast accuracy.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 The adapted RootBox is a flexible, proof-of-concept solution for\u0000 predicting urban tree root architecture, considering the site and soil\u0000 conditions pre-established in the planning process. When used with other\u0000 relevant tools, RootBox can offer valuable insights during the design or\u0000 rejuvenation of urban spaces.\u0000","PeriodicalId":373407,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture & Urban Forestry","volume":"69 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140457073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}