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作者

E.M. van Staden;G.H. Stoffberg

来源

URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING,Vol.65,Issue1,Article 127371

语言

英文

关键字

Soweto;Survival rate;Tree assessment;Tree maintenance;Tree-planting project;Urban forestry

作者单位

Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Science Campus, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa;Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Science Campus, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa

摘要

The Greening Soweto tree-planting project in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa, was an initiative aimed at ensuring that the benefits of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was presented in the country during that year, extended beyond the event. The purpose of this study was to assess the trees planted during the project and to identify aspects that could improve the survival rate of similar treeplanting projects. The tree register, provided by the city, was used as the basis for the study and the species and planting locations were confirmed using Google Street View and site visits. Field surveys were conducted to confirm the species, record the number of living, absent or damaged trees and determine the maintenance requirements. The aim of the project to plant 200 000 trees was reached by the end of 2010, however, not all the trees survived. The field survey revealed a survival rate of 43 % in 2018 and identified thirteen indigenous species across the project. Limited species diversity was observed as 91 % of the trees comprised of only four species and two species made up 60 % of the trees. Of the estimated existing trees (n = 89 644) 52 % required maintenance and 15 % were identified as absent or severely damaged. Trees were planted predominantly in the previously disadvantaged areas, traditionally known to have the fewest trees. This confirmed one of the aims of the project, namely, to transform the previously disadvantaged regions of the city by beautifying streets and developing parks the city residents can be proud of.