The Climate-

Species-Matrix to
select tree species
for urban habitats
considering climate
change
W RIT T E N BY: A ND RE A S ROLOFF,
SA ND RA KO RN, ST E N G ILLNE R
PRE S E NT E D BY: J . P. T H O M A SSO N
 Introduction
•Trees and woody plants have essential
roles

•Hardships of urban trees

§ Site factors
§ Precipitation in cities vs. rural
areas
§ Climate change
•This study wants to propose a basis to
estimate drought resistance and frost
hardiness in tree species.
•Climate-Species-Matrix
Methods
Unique characteristics of the
urban climate
Climates in potential places of
origin
Evaluating drought resistance
and hardiness
Unique
characteristics of
the urban climate
•Cities and Natural Habitats differ
•Buildings lead to increased
irradiation during the day and
reduced emissions at night
•Heavy showers lead to surface run-
off of the water and minor uptake
by the ground

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

Climates in
potential places of
origin
•West German cities average 931 mm
of annual precipitation, while eastern
towns have 512 mm of average
annual rainfall
•Urban trees must grow with an
average annual precipitation of
500mm or less
•Species should be considered
suitable future urban trees only if
they can withstand annual average
minimum temperatures of -17.8 to -
23.31C.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Climates in
potential places
of origin cont.
The western American states within the relevant
area of origin include Washington (partially),
Oregon (somewhat), Nevada, Utah, Idaho,
Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. Species
from the west Canadian provinces of British
Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, except
for the Pacific coast, may also be used.

The Asian region within the relevant area of

origin include the Caucasian region, including Andreas Roloff, Sandra Korn, Sten Gillner,The Climate-Species-Matrix to select tree species for urban habitats considering climate
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and southern change,Urban Forestry & Urban Greening,Volume 8, Issue 4,2009,Pages 295-308,ISSN 1618-
Russia, except the shores of the Black Sea and 8667,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2009.08.002
the Caspian Sea, seem to be a good place of
origin for species adapted to the predicted
urban climate.
 Evaluating
drought
resistance and
hardiness
•Grade 1 describes species well
suited to dry habitats, while grade 4
classifies species with very limited
suitability.
•The overall hardiness degree was
also categorized as very suitable
(1), right (2), problematic (3), and
not suitable (4).
•It is a combined assessment of
hardiness zone, hardiness, frost
resistance, and resistance to late
frosts.
 Results
•The Climate-Species-Matrix
includes all native and exotic
species of trees and shrubs
used for urban greening.
•It does not include dwarf
shrubs and creeping plants or
trees and shrubs whose
assessment was found
negative or when limited
information was available.
Discussion
•Interpreting growth patterns using growth rings
reconstructs precipitation and temperatures
•Annual rings can be used to determine suitable tree
species to different meso- and macro-climate
conditions
•Dendroecological studies commonly used species in
urban areas, like Black locust, Honey locust, Small-
leaf lime, or Norway maple.
•The Climate-Species-Matrix provides general
statements about species while a lot of attention has
been given to significant literature researchers for
each over 250 species. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Conclusion
•Urban greening positively affects
air quality and microclimates.
•Selecting the best species is an
essential approach to fighting the
impact of climate change
• An evaluation of over 250 species
creates a basis for establishing
high biodiversity.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Group discussion
With the research being based on finding 250 tree species for Central European parks, do you
believe the same 250 species would best fit Alabama parks? Why or why not?
Citation
Andreas Roloff, Sandra Korn, Sten Gillner,The Climate-Species-Matrix to select tree species for
urban habitats considering climate change,Urban Forestry & Urban Greening,Volume 8, Issue
4,2009,Pages 295-308,ISSN 1618-8667,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2009.08.002