Climate Action and Sustainability Plan June 2021 | Page 106

Urban forests are composed of a mix of native and exotic tree species . Thus , urban forests often have a tree diversity that is higher than surrounding native landscapes . Increased tree diversity can minimize the overall impact or destruction by a species-specific insect or disease , but it can also pose a risk to native plants if some of the exotic species are invasive plants that can potentially out-compete and displace native species . In Mount Auburn Cemetery Sample Plots , about 65 percent of the trees are species native to North America , while 57 percent are native to Massachusetts . Species exotic to North America make up 35 percent of the population . Most exotic tree species have an origin from Asia ( 18 percent of the species ).

I-Tree Report of Ecosystem Analysis at Mount Auburn Cemetery Insert to the Climate Action and Sustainability Plan

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