The potential role of urban forests in removing nutrients from stormwater

Abstract

Biofiltration systems can be used to improve the quality of stormwater by treating runoff using plants grown in a moderately permeable soil. Most biofilters use herbaceous species, but in highly urbanized locations, such as streets, trees may be a more suitable vegetation. Biofilters that use urban woody vegetation are less studied. This experiment investigated the use of four street tree species [Eucalyptus polyanthemos Schauer, Lophostemon confertus (R. Br.) Peter G. Wilson & J.T. Waterh., Callistemon salignus (Sm.) Colvill ex Sweet, and Platanus orientalis L.] and an unplanted control in model biofilters. All four tree species are used in urban landscapes in southern Australia and were ch..