cloud-based spatial-temporal inventory for sustainable urban soil management

Spatial and temporal databases that integrate urban tree inventories and soil quality information are needed for modern-day sustainable urban forest management. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of low-cost and widely-available technology, such as global positioning syste...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urban ecosystems 2016-06, Vol.19 (2), p.811-822
Main Authors: Green, Latoisha Y, Elena A. Mikhailova, Christopher J. Post, Christophe C. J. G. Darnault, William C. Bridges, Mark A. Schlautman
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical and Life Sciences
cameras
Cloud computing
computers
Digital cameras
Ecology
ecosystems
Environmental Management
Environmental studies
Forest management
Global positioning systems
GPS
Internet
inventories
Laboratories
Life Sciences
Nature Conservation
Roads & highways
Soil management
Soil quality
Soils
street trees
Studies
Sustainability
Sustainable forestry
tree growth
Trees
Urban areas
Urban Ecology
Urban environments
Urban forests
urban soils
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Spatial and temporal databases that integrate urban tree inventories and soil quality information are needed for modern-day sustainable urban forest management. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of low-cost and widely-available technology, such as global positioning system (GPS)–enabled cameras to photo-document sites and cloud-based products and services (Google Picasa and Fusion Tables), to aid in developing sustainable street tree management programs. Google Fusion Tables provide a cloud platform to store, share and map urban tree and soil data over time using internet connected computers, tablets or mobile devices. Although indicators of urban soil quality and best methods to assess it are not yet standardized, we demonstrate here promising indicators that are both useful and easy to incorporate into spatial and temporal databases of trees managed in urban environments. By utilizing technology, we demonstrate that site-specific urban soil quality indicators can be used together with readily-available soil rating systems specific to different plant types as a means to better evaluate and manage conditions for optimal street tree growth and health.
ISSN:1083-8155
1573-1642
DOI:10.1007/s11252-015-0512-2