Road vegetation over time:

from the first rows of trees to the conservation of biodiversity

Rationale : To start by the issue of trees as they were the first to be installed, until more recently the global decline of biodiversity created the need to shelter more species in road verge.

Cost: 25 Eur (tick your choice in the Registration Form)

Topic 1 :“Alleys and avenues” : rows of trees along streets and roads – management from past to future
Topic 2 : Natural habitats on road verges : species composition of vegetation, significance for pollinators and other groups of organisms

Lecturers

Eva DITLEVSEN and Mats LINDQVIST - Traficverket, Swedish transport administration

Denis FRANÇOIS - University Gustave Eiffel, France

Programme

Topic 1 :“Alleys and avenues” : rows of trees along streets and roads – management from past to future
-    Historic view of alleys and avenues from the origins, illustrations taken from various European countries; Example of historical road construction thanks to trees.
-    Consequences for trees of the advent of car; Design and management rules illustrated from technical guidelines in Sweden and France.
-    Protection provided by law to trees along streets and roads; Illustration from Sweden and consideration of the European context; Consideration of trees in road maintenance contracts.

Topic 2 : Natural habitats on road verges : species composition of vegetation, significance for pollinators and other groups of organisms
-    Implication of the general policy for green infrastructures on road verges; Variability and management of roadside vegetation along small and large roads;  Significance and management for pollinators;  Ecosystem services provided by trees, woody vegetation and grass along roads and streets; Conflicts of interests.
-    Question raised by the consequences of climate change on trees of alleys and avenues (distribution areas, diseases…) and the conservation of biodiversity