While I was doing my thesis research I traveled from Maine to Florida taking pictures of trees. I was specifically interested in open grown crowns whose shape had not been modified by pruning, as city street trees usually are. Not surprisingly, cemeteries were one of my best sources. For many species, cemeteries are tree heaven: lots of sun and little or no competition above ground or below. Though I don't have data, I expect that such trees are vastly more productive of fruits/seeds than their forest counterparts, and thus may be an important food resource for migratory and resident animals. Also, in many areas cemeteries adjoin undeveloped (though disturbed) woods, and so they provide that "fringe habitat" that is useful to many species.
Lastly, I think we are showing some vertebrate chauvinism here in considering mostly birds, mammals, and herps. Cemeteries are also good places for worms (heh, heh), insects, fungus, mosses and lots of other "insignificant" species that need a place to live that is better than asphalt or concrete. Martin M. Meiss 2012/5/2 Duncan Thomas <dunca...@gmail.com> > hi, John: > > you probably know this already, but the Jacksonville Oregon cemetery is an > important site for the protection of the endangered lily, Fritillaria > gentneri, and supports a large population. It is managed to protect the > lily (as well as for normal cemetery things) > > Duncan Thomas > > http://www.fws.gov/ecos/ajax/docs/recovery_plan/030828.pdf > > http://www.npsoregon.org/kalmiopsis/kalmiopsis12/gentners.pdf > > > On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 11:39 AM, John Mickelson <jmicke...@yahoo.com> > wrote: > > > Working in NYC and looking at the spatial dimensions of biodiversity in > > this heavily urbanized setting. > > > > Wondering what folks thoughts are re: the extent to which cemeteries > (and, > > to a lesser extent: ball fields, play grounds, golf courses etc...) > > "really" serve as habitat. > > > > Clearly they serve multiple purposes and are utilized by a range of flora > > and fauna (presumably more so within "green" managed programs), but > should > > they really form a core element within > > a comprehensive urban conservation plan? > > > > I'm finding myself able to argue both sides..... thoughts? > > > > -John > > >
