Predictors of tropical cyclone-induced urban tree failure: an international scoping review

Abstract

BackgroundTrees are critical components of rural and urban ecosystems throughout the world. While they have adapted to the historic conditions of their native environments, climate change, urbanization, and human-assisted range expansion may test the storm resiliency of many tree species.ObjectiveIn this global multilingual scoping review, we investigate a range of intrinsic (i.e., tree characteristics) and external (i.e., environmental and management) factors which have been used to predict tree failure during tropical cyclones.DesignWe searched online databases and journals in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish to find peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. We retained papers that used ground-based methods to study tree damage following a tropical cyclone and conducted a statistical analysis of factors that influence tree resistance to damage. From each paper we extracted details of study methods, and the relationships between damage and predictors.ResultsOur efforts generated 65 peer-reviewed papers and dissertations that met our final criteria for inclusion (i.e., data on the relative proportion of trees failed/intact as assessed no more than a year after the storm event). Of these papers 37 independent variables were assessed to predict tree failure. Research in both urban and rural settings tends to be concentrated in regions frequently impacted by tropical cyclones. Characteristics of species such as wood density have been studied in rural environments and are also relevant predictors for tree failure in urban trees. Environmental characteristics unique to urban settings such as planting areas surrounded by pavement need further research. Several urban studies demonstrate that risk assessment methods can predict tree failure during a storm.ConclusionResults can be used by future storm researchers to identify both predictors may warrant inclusion in their models as well as predictors which have yet to be tested. Results can also inform planning and activities that can mitigate tropical cyclone damage to the urban forest.

Unearthing Current Knowledge Gaps in Our Understanding of Tree Stability: Review and Bibliometric Analysis

“…According to the Beaufort scale, extreme winds are categorised into three groups based on their intensities: gales (17-24 ms −1 ), storms (25-33 ms −1 ), and hurricanes (>33 ms −1 ) [141]. In mid-latitude temperate zones, extra-tropical cyclones, which develop over the oceans, are a major source of recurrent gale and storm force winds, causing substantial damage to forests, particularly in coastal regions [143]. These cyclones are associated with counter-clockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere and often bring strong winds accompanied by considerable rainfall [144].…”

A systematic review of cyclonic disaster: Damage-loss, consequences, adaptation strategies, and future scopes

“…The natural environment, human lives, and societies are extremely vulnerable to the effects of current climate-induced extreme events such as heat waves, droughts, floods, river bank erosion, water logging, tropical cyclones, and wildfires [ [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] ]. Tropical cyclones, which can also be referred to as typhoons or hurricanes (those with a wind speed of 74 mph or more), are among the most debilitating extreme events because of the high risk that they pose to human life as well as the large economic downturn and environmental change [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Doocy et al [ 36 ] performed a review focusing on the human impacts of cyclones during 1980–2009. Salisbury et al [ 3 ] further identified the indicators of cyclone-induced vegetation collapse in urban areas. However, to the authors' knowledge, no one has yet made an effort to conduct such a systematic review focusing on cyclone-induced damage and loss in coastal areas.…”