University Department: Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture

Fact Sheets for Reforestation Strategies under Deer Pressure

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Dead Wood Is Not Dead: The Ecological Functions and Management of Dead Wood

Citizens find it hard to appreciate the ecological qualities of an unorganized forest landscape because they prefer a neat and orderly appearance even though it may not offer ecological benefits (TyrvÃ¤inen et al 2013). Lifeless downed wood or logs give the impression of untidiness and chaos. What the public should understand is the importance of […]

Urban Forest Edge Management Through Public Engagement

Numerous pathways connect Columbiaâ€™s community-centered suburban villages. These well-traveled paths are perfect for dog walkers, runners, and any citizen desiring a connection to nature that is close to home. Columbiaâ€™s paths follow stream corridors, guarded by vegetation, which tends to struggle against the influence of invasive plant species. Creating a means to manage the presence […]

Public Education Information and Precedents: Effects of Deer Overabundance on Plant Communities

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are present in overwhelming numbers in urban and suburban areas. Forest fragmentation supports populations of the species, which thrives in wooded edges, and those populations drive significant changes to the local plant communities. While researchers and managers know a great deal about these interactions, the general public is not always aware […]

The Value of Planting Trees in the Urban Setting

There is currently a rapid rate of urbanization taking place across the world. It is estimated that by the year 2050, 34 percent of the worldâ€™s population will be living in rural environments and 66 percent will be living in urban environments (UN 2014). With urbanization comes an increase of industry, burning of fossil fuels, […]

Public Education in Invasive Species Management

The mid-term report assessed three environmental education frameworks, exploring how they function and the results of their application to invasive species management or general environmental issues. These frameworks are the public-based learning method, the social learning framework and the identity-based environmental education model. The key idea of the public-based learning method, which is described in […]

The Creation and Management of Meadows

This document aims to address the topics involved in the creation and management of meadows as well as provide informational supplementary sources. In this case, we are examining the potential of meadows to be used as alternatives to open grass spaces that require frequent mowing. These mowed open spaces are maintained as a buffers that […]

Ecology of Riparian Ecosystems

In the urban landscape, ecosystems are being fragmented into smaller and smaller pieces that lack the connectivity and resources to function properly. Riparian zones are ecosystems that act as an ecotone, or interface, between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. A properly functioning riparian ecosystem provides a multitude of ecosystem services that help keep the surrounding area […]

Brandywine Farmer’s Market (Marketing and Engagement)

Through their work with the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland (UMD), the Prince George’s County- Department of Parks and Recreation commissioned this report from the universityâ€™s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). PALS works with local jurisdictions throughout Maryland to identify projects and problems that can be taught through […]

Pollinator Plants for Stormwater Management

The group of students provided recommendations to M-NCPPC Parks to develop a pollinator plant selection guide for three stormwater management facilities: a parking lot island, a building foundation planting, and an open field. The selection guide included site information for three types of plantings (proper use of stormwater control measures and viewpoints) and plant use […]

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