Speaker:
Prof. Justin Morgenroth
Professor and Associate
Head of School
School of Forestry
University of Canterbury
I’m interested in understanding urban trees and the critical roles they play in cities around the world. The trees that comprise urban forests face considerable abiotic and biotic stress, but help to make cities liveable, providing residents with healthy, sustainable, and desirable places to live and work. To that end, I research the growth, function, management, and ecosystem services of trees in urban environments. I also lead the ‘New Zealand Urban Forest Initiative’, which connects researchers and urban forest stakeholders, such that new research can be used to inform best practices in urban forest management in New Zealand
Seminar Summary:
Urban forests play an important role in shaping healthy, resilient, and sustainable cities. In New Zealand, where rapid urban growth increasingly competes with green space, understanding where trees are (and where they are not) is essential for effective planning and management. In this talk, I’ll discuss how spatial data from sources including LiDAR and aerial imagery are improving the way we map, measure, and monitor urban tree canopy. Drawing on recent projects from around New Zealand, I’ll highlight how these remote-sensing approaches provide new insights into urban forest dynamics. I’ll also discuss opportunities for integrating urban forestry data into government policy and practice, particularly in supporting communities to plan for greener, fairer, healthier, and more resilient cities. Ultimately, this talk will show how spatial insights can help us safeguard and expand urban forests for the benefit of those of us living in New Zealand’s growing cities. Urban forests play an important role in shaping healthy, resilient, and sustainable cities. In New Zealand, where rapid urban growth increasingly competes with green space, understanding where trees are (and where they are not) is essential for effective planning and management. In this talk, I’ll discuss how spatial data from sources including LiDAR and aerial imagery are improving the way we map, measure, and monitor urban tree canopy. Drawing on recent projects from around New Zealand, I’ll highlight how these remote-sensing approaches provide new insights into urban forest dynamics. I’ll also discuss opportunities for integrating urban forestry data into government policy and practice, particularly in supporting communities to plan for greener, fairer, healthier, and more resilient cities. Ultimately, this talk will show how spatial insights can help us safeguard and expand urban forests for the benefit of those of us living in New Zealand’s growing cities.
18th September 2025
Ernest Rutherford 263 | University of Canterbury or Online via Zoom
- Refreshments & Networking: 12:30-1:00 pm
- Seminar: 1:00-2:00 pm
To get your free tickets, go to: https://events.humanitix.com/spatial-insights
