Urban biogeographical analysis of spontaneous tree growth on stone retaining walls

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Stone retaining walls in urban Hong Kong provided vertical habitats for spontaneous colonization by a diversified humid-tropical flora with large trees. A citywide survey assessed wall and tree characteristics to understand wall-tree relationships and identify conservation candidates. Nonparametric correlations were computed between 28 wall attributes versus tree count, tree biomass, and species-vegetation factors. Most of the 245 walls, with 1275 trees, were in residential areas. Wall height was a key determinant. Stone width offered more horizontal microsites for seeds to lodge. The walls-cum-vegetation, many older than 100 years, presented a precious natural-cum-cultural heritage, deserving protection as an urban ecological asset.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Physical geography, issn : 0272-3646, 2008, vol. 29, n°. 4, p. 351-373, nombre de pages : 23, Références bibliographiques : 28 ref.

Date :
2008

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Abingdon, Taylor and Francis