Implementing best urban forestry management practices in Southern Ontario: A comparison of municipal strategies and a feasible gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) monitoring program design

The urban forest is a vital component of urban ecosystems and the quality of life within the city. Southern Ontario’s forest is highly valued, providing a host of ecosystems services. Therefore, the maintenance of the urban tree canopy is extremely crucial. The urban canopies of North America are severely affected by a multitude of defoliating pests, such as the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.). In the last decade, many municipalities in southern Ontario have developed and published urban forest management plans, which commonly rely on the maintenance of single trees, enhancement of canopy cover, and enhancement of tree diversity, as well as the public education programs, while other considerations such as the implementation of integrate pest management (IPM) strategies are often overlooked. As well, municipalities face budgeting concerns that constrain them from implementing IPM effectively. Here, the urban forest management planning of 6 municipalities in Southern Ontario is reviewed, and best management practices (BMPs) for gypsy moth are isolated. Incorporating best management practices for IPM into urban forestry planning can help to increase the capacity of small municipalities to respond to urban forest pests such as gypsy moth, regardless of budget. This document provides a summary of current strategies and feasible monitoring network design for gypsy moth to help guide decision-making for urban forest managers