Benefits of Urban Trees — Southern Group of State Foresters:
"Cleaner, Cooler Air: In exchange for giving oxygen, trees absorb carbon dioxide produced from the combustion of various fuels. Trees remove or trap lung-damaging dust, ash, pollen and smoke from the air, in addition to providing shade for people and conserving energy.
Showing posts with label ecosystem services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ecosystem services. Show all posts
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Del Mar College's Integrated Geospatial Education & Technology Training program offers course on Urban Tree Canopy analysis
Topic: Urban Environmental Management
Urban Tree Canopy
Problem Statement: Cities are heat islands for capturing carbon dioxide from a concentration of vehicles and buildings.
Urban forests help mitigate those effects. Can we quantify some of those effects using remote sensing imagery?
Level: beginning
Software: ArcGIS, ENVI, Powerpoint, Word
Urban Tree Canopy
Problem Statement: Cities are heat islands for capturing carbon dioxide from a concentration of vehicles and buildings.
Urban forests help mitigate those effects. Can we quantify some of those effects using remote sensing imagery?
Level: beginning
Software: ArcGIS, ENVI, Powerpoint, Word
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
UVA Planning students release Green Lands report for Staunton-conserve tree canopy for ecosystem services among recommendations; Staunton, VA
Planning students release Green Lands report for Staunton newsleader.com The News Leader:
After a semester of studying Staunton's natural resources, the U.Va. Green Lands class has finished its study and recommendations for the city.
The class goal was to study the green infrastructure within Staunton and recommend ways to preserve and enhance it. The full report is available for download at the right.Recommendations
Conserve and enhance habitat for native wildlife by conserving larger forested landscapes within Staunton’s city limits.
Conserve and restore urban tree canopy to improve air and water quality and to reduce pressure on stormwater infrastructure.
After a semester of studying Staunton's natural resources, the U.Va. Green Lands class has finished its study and recommendations for the city.
The class goal was to study the green infrastructure within Staunton and recommend ways to preserve and enhance it. The full report is available for download at the right.Recommendations
Conserve and enhance habitat for native wildlife by conserving larger forested landscapes within Staunton’s city limits.
Conserve and restore urban tree canopy to improve air and water quality and to reduce pressure on stormwater infrastructure.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Cambridge Climate Protection Plan may not be following up on UTC-related items; Cambridge, MA
Cambridge Climate Congress at City Hall Cambridge Community Television:
Here are a few items I have pulled out of the 2002 report that seem to lack follow-through.
Optimize building design and the use of vegetation to shade buildings and reduce the urban heat island effect. Use geographic information systems to map the city’s tree canopy coverage and assess the environmental services provided by the urban forest; maximize the tree canopy cover, particularly over parking lots and air-conditioning units; install roofs with high reflectance or “green” landscaped roofs; incorporate reflectance and shading standards in designs for parking lots and building construction.
Here are a few items I have pulled out of the 2002 report that seem to lack follow-through.
Optimize building design and the use of vegetation to shade buildings and reduce the urban heat island effect. Use geographic information systems to map the city’s tree canopy coverage and assess the environmental services provided by the urban forest; maximize the tree canopy cover, particularly over parking lots and air-conditioning units; install roofs with high reflectance or “green” landscaped roofs; incorporate reflectance and shading standards in designs for parking lots and building construction.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Mercury News editorial staff says street trees are worth the time and trouble; San Jose, CA
Editorial: Street trees are worth the time and trouble - San Jose Mercury News:
There are 242,000 street trees in San Jose, according to a recent inventory by the city arborist — and room for 90,000 more in the public right of way.
What an opportunity.
In this economy, the city has no money to invest in street trees. It's up to residents, who sometimes worry more about sidewalk damage than the need for a better tree canopy.
But trees are an excellent investment. It's no coincidence that homes on tree-lined streets sell for more than comparable homes on a barren block. Besides adding beauty, trees can lower the temperature of a neighborhood by 10 degrees, making life more pleasant and saving energy costs. You know this instinctively. Would you rather walk down a tree lined sidewalk or an unshaded one?
There are 242,000 street trees in San Jose, according to a recent inventory by the city arborist — and room for 90,000 more in the public right of way.
What an opportunity.
In this economy, the city has no money to invest in street trees. It's up to residents, who sometimes worry more about sidewalk damage than the need for a better tree canopy.
But trees are an excellent investment. It's no coincidence that homes on tree-lined streets sell for more than comparable homes on a barren block. Besides adding beauty, trees can lower the temperature of a neighborhood by 10 degrees, making life more pleasant and saving energy costs. You know this instinctively. Would you rather walk down a tree lined sidewalk or an unshaded one?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Philadelphia Tree Planting Part of Skyline Initiative - $150,000 federal investment leverages $3.75 million; Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Tree Planting Part of Skyline Initiative -- Environmental Protection:
The planting of 30 trees in a North Philadelphia park and neighborhood is one of many projects planned to make Philadelphia, Pa., a cleaner and greener city through Sustainable Skylines, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program to help improve air quality and find solutions for other local environmental issues.
'Our Sustainable Skylines partnership with the city and other concerned organizations has a clear goal in mind – cleaner air in a greener city,' said EPA Acting Regional Administrator William C. Early. 'We commend Philadelphia as a leader in sustainability.' Philadelphia is the third city in the nation chosen to pilot the program.
The planting of 30 trees in a North Philadelphia park and neighborhood is one of many projects planned to make Philadelphia, Pa., a cleaner and greener city through Sustainable Skylines, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program to help improve air quality and find solutions for other local environmental issues.
'Our Sustainable Skylines partnership with the city and other concerned organizations has a clear goal in mind – cleaner air in a greener city,' said EPA Acting Regional Administrator William C. Early. 'We commend Philadelphia as a leader in sustainability.' Philadelphia is the third city in the nation chosen to pilot the program.
iTree-ECO calculates nature's ecosystem services; Henderson, NC
Nature's value is priceless BlueRidgeNow.com Times-News Online Hendersonville, NC:
The U.S. Forest Service has a computer model that can produce a precise environmental and economic value for each tree. For example: A 50-foot oak tree in Hendersonville stores 1,476 kilograms of carbon and removes 124 grams of sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere each year. To remove that same amount of pollution would otherwise cost society $5.44 annually. Multiply that by the millions of trees in our region and the benefits of protecting our remaining forestland adds up.
If we can accept that our environment has ecological, economic and mental health benefits, then it's easier to understand that the organizations working to protect the health of our streams, forestland and farmland also have value to our community.
The U.S. Forest Service has a computer model that can produce a precise environmental and economic value for each tree. For example: A 50-foot oak tree in Hendersonville stores 1,476 kilograms of carbon and removes 124 grams of sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere each year. To remove that same amount of pollution would otherwise cost society $5.44 annually. Multiply that by the millions of trees in our region and the benefits of protecting our remaining forestland adds up.
If we can accept that our environment has ecological, economic and mental health benefits, then it's easier to understand that the organizations working to protect the health of our streams, forestland and farmland also have value to our community.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Vanishing canopies affect air quality; Bangalore, India
Vanishing canopies affect air quality
Not only pollution levels but also pattern of planting trees has undergone a change
Vanishing canopies affect air quality
Poornima Nataraj, Nov 5, Bangalore
Friday, November 06, 2009
Gradual disappearance of tree canopies in Bangalore in the name of development has adversely affected the City’s air quality.
In a survey conducted at ten major road junctions in Bangalore (tree lanes and treeless lanes) by a City-based environment group, it was found that pollutants around canopy trees were comparatively less than along treeless stretch.
The study conducted by ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment) in collaboration with Environmental Sciences Departments of St Joseph’s College and Mount Carmel College has found huge differences in air quality.
Dr Harini Nagendra, Urban Ecology Program Coordinator at ATREE, who supervised the study, said that it is not just pollution levels but also the planting patterns that have changed in the recent times. “Trees with huge canopies planted by our forefathers have been replaced with smaller trees by BBMP,” she said."
Not only pollution levels but also pattern of planting trees has undergone a change
Vanishing canopies affect air quality
Poornima Nataraj, Nov 5, Bangalore
Friday, November 06, 2009
Gradual disappearance of tree canopies in Bangalore in the name of development has adversely affected the City’s air quality.
In a survey conducted at ten major road junctions in Bangalore (tree lanes and treeless lanes) by a City-based environment group, it was found that pollutants around canopy trees were comparatively less than along treeless stretch.
The study conducted by ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment) in collaboration with Environmental Sciences Departments of St Joseph’s College and Mount Carmel College has found huge differences in air quality.
Dr Harini Nagendra, Urban Ecology Program Coordinator at ATREE, who supervised the study, said that it is not just pollution levels but also the planting patterns that have changed in the recent times. “Trees with huge canopies planted by our forefathers have been replaced with smaller trees by BBMP,” she said."
Monday, October 26, 2009
Forest policy values Newcastle trees at $20m; Newcastle, Australia
Forest policy values Newcastle trees at $20m - Local News - News - General - The Herald: THE more than 100,000 trees greening Newcastle's public spaces are valued at almost $20 million, new figures show.
Civic strategists have been analysing leafy areas as part of a Newcastle urban forest policy.
Since the policy was adopted in May 2008, Newcastle City Council has developed an asset management system for the city's trees.
New communities and green corridor principal strategist Ian Rhodes said tree canopy covered 21 per cent of the local government area.
The 103,000 public trees have a replacement value of $19.5 million.
Mr Rhodes said trees in urban areas provided environmental, social and economic benefits.
'They act like the lungs of the city, they filter the air and the water,' he said.
Civic strategists have been analysing leafy areas as part of a Newcastle urban forest policy.
Since the policy was adopted in May 2008, Newcastle City Council has developed an asset management system for the city's trees.
New communities and green corridor principal strategist Ian Rhodes said tree canopy covered 21 per cent of the local government area.
The 103,000 public trees have a replacement value of $19.5 million.
Mr Rhodes said trees in urban areas provided environmental, social and economic benefits.
'They act like the lungs of the city, they filter the air and the water,' he said.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Design exhibit highlights environmental co-benefits of trees; Providence, RI
Partly Sunny: Places: Design Observer: Cumulatively, these strategies address climate change challenges in two significant ways. First, they would decrease a city’s production of greenhouse gases by lowering electricity demands (trees reduce heating and cooling loads in adjacent buildings) and they would also decrease automobile emissions (street trees absorb carbon dioxide). Second, they would make a city more resilient in the face of rising temperatures (extensive tree canopies reduce the urban heat island effect) and changing weather patterns (through more effective stormwater management).
Monday, September 28, 2009
Group commissions study on local carrying capacity, impacts of growth on ecosystem services; Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville Tomorrow News Center: Scientist explains ASAP research on impacts of population growth on local ecosystems:
Trees capture carbon dioxide from the air. Open space helps filter groundwater to make it safer for drinking. These are two examples of “ecosystem services” that can be affected by population growth, but until now there has been no attempt to study what links there may be between the two.
The group Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population (ASAP) recently raised $112,000 to conduct a series of studies to establish an “optimal sustainable population size” for Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The City contributed $11,000 and the County contributed $25,000 towards five studies, one of which was to analyze how different levels of population growth would affect the ability of the landscape to provide ecosystem services."
Trees capture carbon dioxide from the air. Open space helps filter groundwater to make it safer for drinking. These are two examples of “ecosystem services” that can be affected by population growth, but until now there has been no attempt to study what links there may be between the two.
The group Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population (ASAP) recently raised $112,000 to conduct a series of studies to establish an “optimal sustainable population size” for Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The City contributed $11,000 and the County contributed $25,000 towards five studies, one of which was to analyze how different levels of population growth would affect the ability of the landscape to provide ecosystem services."
Monday, September 14, 2009
Trees not only reduce electricity use, they can also generate electricty according to MIT researchers; Boston, MA
How to generate electricity from a tree?
Ians September 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON
There’s enough power in trees to run an electronic circuit, says a new study.
A study last year led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that plants generate up to 200 millivolts when one electrode is placed in a plant and the other in the surrounding soil.
Ians September 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON
There’s enough power in trees to run an electronic circuit, says a new study.
A study last year led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that plants generate up to 200 millivolts when one electrode is placed in a plant and the other in the surrounding soil.
Monday, August 31, 2009
State street tree population needs more diversity but provides major benefits, has significant opportunity for enhancement; IN
State could use more and different urban trees www.carrollcountycomet.com Carroll County Comet:
Comet staff report
Indiana could benefit by having more and different trees lining its city streets, according to a study on the trees in 23 cities done for the state's Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.
'Bringing about such change is important' DNR's Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) coordinator Pam Louks said, 'because the study also showed that Indiana's urban forests reward Hoosiers with nearly $79 million in annual benefits. The rewards include energy savings and reducing carbon in the atmosphere.'
The study, which was done for the CUF program, found that street trees throughout the state also return benefits by reducing ozone levels, volatile organic compounds such as sulfur dioxide and small particulate matter and improve storm water interception and reduction.
Economically, trees also make city streets look better, increase community economic vitality, increase real estate values and give residents a sense of place according to the study which was done by the Davey Resource Group.
Comet staff report
Indiana could benefit by having more and different trees lining its city streets, according to a study on the trees in 23 cities done for the state's Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.
'Bringing about such change is important' DNR's Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) coordinator Pam Louks said, 'because the study also showed that Indiana's urban forests reward Hoosiers with nearly $79 million in annual benefits. The rewards include energy savings and reducing carbon in the atmosphere.'
The study, which was done for the CUF program, found that street trees throughout the state also return benefits by reducing ozone levels, volatile organic compounds such as sulfur dioxide and small particulate matter and improve storm water interception and reduction.
Economically, trees also make city streets look better, increase community economic vitality, increase real estate values and give residents a sense of place according to the study which was done by the Davey Resource Group.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
India's forest and tree cover are significant carbon sinks, key elements of CO2 mitigation strategy; India
Forests will rescue India, says Jairam Ramesh DEVELOPMENT NEWS MyNews.in:
India's Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total geographical area of the country as of 2005. In addition, Tree Cover accounts for 2.8% of India's geographical area.
Over the last two decades, progressive national forestry legislations and policies in India aimed at conservation and sustainable management of forests have reversed deforestation and have transformed India's forests into a significant net sink of CO2.
From 1995 to 2005, the carbon stocks stored in our forests and trees have increased from 6,245 million tonnes (mt) to 6,662 mt, registering an annual increment of 38 mt of carbon or 138 mt of CO2 equivalent.
India's Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total geographical area of the country as of 2005. In addition, Tree Cover accounts for 2.8% of India's geographical area.
Over the last two decades, progressive national forestry legislations and policies in India aimed at conservation and sustainable management of forests have reversed deforestation and have transformed India's forests into a significant net sink of CO2.
From 1995 to 2005, the carbon stocks stored in our forests and trees have increased from 6,245 million tonnes (mt) to 6,662 mt, registering an annual increment of 38 mt of carbon or 138 mt of CO2 equivalent.
i-Tree software package helps town undertake inventory, calculate trees' ecosystem services; Durham, NC
Forest Hills Neighborhood Association: Durham Street Tree Inventory/Canopy Analysis
Trees provide a lot to us as residents of Durham. Just what it is they do for us is sometimes hard to assign a value to. This makes it hard to justify spending the money needed to maintain an urban tree canopy, especially when other issues clamor for scarce resources.The good news is that there is a way to estimate the value of an urban forest. Thanks to a partnership between the Davey Resource Group and the US Forest Service, there is a suite of software called i-Tree that works in conjunction with a set of tools developed specifically for inventorying and evaluating the value, condition, and canopy density of an urban forest.
Trees provide a lot to us as residents of Durham. Just what it is they do for us is sometimes hard to assign a value to. This makes it hard to justify spending the money needed to maintain an urban tree canopy, especially when other issues clamor for scarce resources.The good news is that there is a way to estimate the value of an urban forest. Thanks to a partnership between the Davey Resource Group and the US Forest Service, there is a suite of software called i-Tree that works in conjunction with a set of tools developed specifically for inventorying and evaluating the value, condition, and canopy density of an urban forest.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Columnist defines 'Urban Forest', discusses ecosystem services they provide; Tampa, FL
These trees create your own 'Urban Forest'
By STEVE JONES
Hernando Today columnist
Published: August 9, 2009
What do you think of when you hear the phrase 'Urban Forest'? To me, it sounds a lot better than a concrete jungle, a phrase that conjures up visions of towering office and apartment buildings.
In recent years, the urban forest concept has developed largely to counter the concrete jungle, planting trees and shrubs in urban environments across America.
Urban forests mean different things to different people. To some it might mean setting aside areas strictly for native plants that probably grew there before the advent of the city. To others it might mean creating greenways with more exotic plants. For yet other urban forest enthusiasts, it could mean planting street trees throughout an inner city community.
By STEVE JONES
Hernando Today columnist
Published: August 9, 2009
What do you think of when you hear the phrase 'Urban Forest'? To me, it sounds a lot better than a concrete jungle, a phrase that conjures up visions of towering office and apartment buildings.
In recent years, the urban forest concept has developed largely to counter the concrete jungle, planting trees and shrubs in urban environments across America.
Urban forests mean different things to different people. To some it might mean setting aside areas strictly for native plants that probably grew there before the advent of the city. To others it might mean creating greenways with more exotic plants. For yet other urban forest enthusiasts, it could mean planting street trees throughout an inner city community.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Program extols energy savings, other benefits of tree planting; Sarasota, FL
Programs promote the planting of trees | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
By PATRICIA PORCHEY Sarasota Co. Horticulturist
Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
During these hot, muggy summer days, we tend to gravitate to that picnic table under a tree's canopy, or park in a shady space. We know that the temperature will be much lower in the shade of a tree compared to open spaces. Trees shading your home can translate into energy savings.
By PATRICIA PORCHEY Sarasota Co. Horticulturist
Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
During these hot, muggy summer days, we tend to gravitate to that picnic table under a tree's canopy, or park in a shady space. We know that the temperature will be much lower in the shade of a tree compared to open spaces. Trees shading your home can translate into energy savings.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
State of the Urban Forest Report reveals UTC extent, dollar benefit of ecosystem services; Lake Oswego, OR
Report puts annual benefit of trees to Lake Oswego at $3 million - OregonLive.com
Trees provide Lake Oswego with an annual benefit estimated at $3 million, according to a city report released last week.
The city-sponsored State of the Urban Forest Report also revealed that trees cover about 44 percent of the city, giving Lake Oswego one of the highest-density tree canopy covers in the metro area.
The report, discussed at last week's council meeting, was intended to inform future policy and fund allocations related to the urban forest.
Using data from both field surveys of the city's trees and satellite imagery of the city's canopy, the report highlighted the urban forest's economic returns, as well as the environmental benefits. Such benefits include storm water interception, energy conservation, carbon dioxide reduction and air quality improvement.
Trees provide Lake Oswego with an annual benefit estimated at $3 million, according to a city report released last week.
The city-sponsored State of the Urban Forest Report also revealed that trees cover about 44 percent of the city, giving Lake Oswego one of the highest-density tree canopy covers in the metro area.
The report, discussed at last week's council meeting, was intended to inform future policy and fund allocations related to the urban forest.
Using data from both field surveys of the city's trees and satellite imagery of the city's canopy, the report highlighted the urban forest's economic returns, as well as the environmental benefits. Such benefits include storm water interception, energy conservation, carbon dioxide reduction and air quality improvement.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Value of city’s street trees counted and growing; New Haven, CT
Value of city’s street trees growing- The New Haven Register - Serving Greater New Haven, CT
By Mary E. O’Leary, Register Topics Editor
NEW HAVEN — As the city looks at different ways to measure how sustainable it is, Chris Ozyck of the Urban Resources Initiative Tuesday would add the goal of increasing its tree canopy.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the New Haven Urban Design League, Ozyck said there are now ways to calculate the contribution of trees in dollars and cents for those not convinced that more trees should be planted simply for their beauty.
The league also presented Ozyck with the Urban Angel Award for his many contributions to environmental projects.
Ozyck and others at the Urban Resources Initiative have determined what the 30,508 street trees in New Haven save in terms of energy conservation, air quality improvement, carbon dioxide reduction and storm water control.
By Mary E. O’Leary, Register Topics Editor
NEW HAVEN — As the city looks at different ways to measure how sustainable it is, Chris Ozyck of the Urban Resources Initiative Tuesday would add the goal of increasing its tree canopy.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the New Haven Urban Design League, Ozyck said there are now ways to calculate the contribution of trees in dollars and cents for those not convinced that more trees should be planted simply for their beauty.
The league also presented Ozyck with the Urban Angel Award for his many contributions to environmental projects.
Ozyck and others at the Urban Resources Initiative have determined what the 30,508 street trees in New Haven save in terms of energy conservation, air quality improvement, carbon dioxide reduction and storm water control.
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15th webinar portrays new tools to help track tree plantings, quantify benefits; State of MD
Urban Natural Resources Institute » Upcoming Webcast: Tree Registry and Aggregating Tree Benefits Calculator
“New Products Showcase” e-Learning Webcast
“Marylanders Plant Trees website/ Tree Registry and Aggregating Tree Benefits Calculator”
July 15, 2009
11:00 AM (Eastern)
Please plan to join us for an UNRI Informational Webcast, featuring the Tree Registry and Aggregating Tree Benefits Calculator, developed by the Maryland DNR and its partners. The tree registry enables Maryland residents to register multiple trees and aggregate their collective benefits using real time, locally generated costs. Data related to registered trees will be used to help Maryland track tree planting efforts as citizens and communities work to meet the tree planting goal of 50,000 trees in 2011, and the tree planting goal of one million trees in 2050.
Becky Wilson, MD DNR lead the effort, working with Davey Trees and the Forest Service to modify the tree benefits calculator initially developed by Casey Trees and Davey Trees. The new interactive web technology can be used to track tree planting, advocate for comprehensive tree management, empower citizens to plant more trees and help communities meet Urban Tree Canopy goals. They now have 7,000 data entries."
“New Products Showcase” e-Learning Webcast
“Marylanders Plant Trees website/ Tree Registry and Aggregating Tree Benefits Calculator”
July 15, 2009
11:00 AM (Eastern)
Please plan to join us for an UNRI Informational Webcast, featuring the Tree Registry and Aggregating Tree Benefits Calculator, developed by the Maryland DNR and its partners. The tree registry enables Maryland residents to register multiple trees and aggregate their collective benefits using real time, locally generated costs. Data related to registered trees will be used to help Maryland track tree planting efforts as citizens and communities work to meet the tree planting goal of 50,000 trees in 2011, and the tree planting goal of one million trees in 2050.
Becky Wilson, MD DNR lead the effort, working with Davey Trees and the Forest Service to modify the tree benefits calculator initially developed by Casey Trees and Davey Trees. The new interactive web technology can be used to track tree planting, advocate for comprehensive tree management, empower citizens to plant more trees and help communities meet Urban Tree Canopy goals. They now have 7,000 data entries."
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