No abstract

No abstract

Restoring urban forests often involves eradicating exotic species and diligently guarding against future invasions. Understanding how landscape structure contributes to the distribution of exotic species may inform these management efforts. To date, the distribution of exotic species in forested patches has been correlated with the type of development surrounding the patch, with those surrounded by agricultural or urban development often more highly invaded. Yet, previous studies have categorized land use types and have not examined more local-scale changes in land use. These local changes may be particularly important in urban areas where forested patches are immediately surrounded by diverse land use types. Our study examined how two key aspects of landscape structure, patch size and adjacent land use, may influence patterns of exotic species invasion of riparian buffers within Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina, United States. We found that large patch size alone, in our case, wide riparian buffers, does not protect against exotic species invasion. Patches surrounded by higher canopy-cover landscapes (e.g., forests and older residential developments with mature canopy) were more likely to be invaded than those surrounded by less canopy cover (e.g., shopping malls and other commercial development). We attribute these results, in part, to increased pressure from exotic propagules from adjacent forests. When restoring urban forests, attention should be paid to local land use to better plan for successful, long-term eradication of exotic species.

Providing opportunities for community engagement and research is part of many environmental sciences and studies programs. Because of the constraints of the typical classroom environment, we need to develop innovative pedagogical tools to allow students to do this kind of work thoughtfully. A partnership between Duke University, a major private research university in Durham, NC, and Paul Quinn College, a small HBCU in Dallas, TX, allowed students to collaborate on community-based participatory research projects and a cross-campus semester-long immersive learning experience. This partnership was grounded in our experience in environmental leadership, social entrepreneurship, and ecological restoration and was led primarily by Duke faculty. We share valuable lessons about engaging in communities outside of our home institution and for working across campuses. Cross-campus collaboration, while logistically challenging, offers ways to connect students in different learning environments but with the same goals and passion for community engagement and research.

No abstract