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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

This research was made possible with funding from the City of Clemson, SC and the Clemson University Creative Inquiry Program. Technical assistance was provided by Tony Tidwell, and Jamaal Alston aided with field data collection. This is technical Contribution No. 6240 of the Clemson University Experiment Station. This material is based upon work supported by NIFA/USDA, under project number SC-1700452.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. City and Regional Planning Program, Department of Planning, Development and Preservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA

    Latoisha Y. Green

  2. Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA

    Elena A. Mikhailova & Christopher J. Post

  3. Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Anderson, SC, 29625, USA

    Christophe C. J. G. Darnault, William C. Bridges & Mark A. Schlautman

Authors
  1. Latoisha Y. Green
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  2. Elena A. Mikhailova
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  3. Christopher J. Post
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  4. Christophe C. J. G. Darnault
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  5. William C. Bridges
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  6. Mark A. Schlautman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elena A. Mikhailova.

Electronic supplementary material

APPENDIX Table 1

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APPENDIX Table2

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APPENDIX Table 3

(DOC 77.5 kb)

APPENDIX Fig. 1

Screen capture of an example of urban soil analysis report with lime and fertilizer recommendations from Clemson University Agricultural Service Laboratory. (DOC 182 kb)

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Green, L.Y., Mikhailova, E.A., Post, C.J. et al. A cloud-based spatial-temporal inventory for sustainable urban soil management. Urban Ecosyst 19, 811–822 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-015-0512-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-015-0512-2

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