Research

Ongoing and completed research projects by the Urban and Urbanizing Forests Program staff and their partners.

In collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, permanent, random plots in urban Miami-Dade County Florida and the urbanized San Juan, Puerto Rico Watershed are being studied to determine the role of landuse/cover, soils, property values, socioeconomics, and time since urbanization on the spatial distribution and abundance of subtropical and tropical invasive woody plants. Current.

In collaboration with the University of Central Florida (UCF), permanent urban forest monitoring plots have been established in the City and in east Orlando.  Carbon stocks have been quantified and re-measurements will determine changes in subtropical tree, shrub, and herbaceous biomass and carbon.  Plot level carbon dynamics will be verified using an Eddy Flux carbon, radiation, and evapo-transpiration tower located on the UCF campus. Current.

The ecosystem services of Non-Industrial Private Forests (NIPF) under the Forest Stewardship Program are being quantified using USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis data and the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) model.  The effects of landuse/cover change due to urbanization, climate change, and hurricanes on ecosystem services on NIPF lands – and adjacent public lands - is being assessed.  Ecosystem service supply curves, barriers lo landowner participation in ecosystem service markets, management indicators, and perception of public land managers towards ecosystem services will be determined. Current.

In collaboration with Shanghai Normal University, permanent plots have been located on Chongming Island, China, Municipality of Shanghai.  Due to recent transportation links to Shanghai, this once rural Island will experience substantial urbanization pressures in the near future.  Monitoring plots will assess the spatial characteristics of urban forests and the effects of urbanization on ecosystem services and carbon offsets. Current.   

In partnership with Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, we are developing methods to study the effects of air pollution and urbanization on Popo-Izta National Forest Reserve adjacent to Mexico City, Mexico. Current.

This project used Urban Forest Effects Plots and Models to determine the structure and soils of a subtropical urban forest.  The ecosystem services of Miami-Dade’s trees and shrubs have been quantified and soil physical and chemical properties determined in Collaboration with the Miami-Dade’s Department of Environmental Resources Management and Florida Division of Forestry.  The efficacy of using Miami-Dade’s urban forests to offset carbon dioxide emissions, relative to other carbon dioxide reduction strategies and policies, have been evaluated.   The role of urban forests and palms on urban soil quality characteristics is being analyzed. Current.

Urban soils in the City of Tampa were sampled using several random sites to characterize subtropical urban soil physical and chemical properties.  Soils data are being used to determine the effect of management, time since urbanization, property value and socioeconomics on urban soil quality. Current.

In collaboration with Urban Forestry LLC, This project developed an assessment model for urban forest damage and debris estimates based on the severity of different windstorm events, remote sensing, and urban forest structure data. As of summer 2009, this model, can be uploaded to the i-Tree software suite of tools and applications that is currently being used by communities to manage their urban forests and understand the services they provide.  As of April 2010, there are nearly 6,000 national and international users of i-tree. (http://itreetools.org/storm/index.php)

Permanent urban forest effects plots originally established in 2001 by the Texas Forest Service were measured in 2008 following Hurricane Ike.  Plot-level urban forest damage, debris, as well as urban tree mortality and growth were assessed.  Urban forest structure in Pensacola, Florida was also measured and 2004-2005 post hurricane debris was estimated using high-resolution imagery and a downed tree detection algorithm. Completed 2009.   

Specific objectives of the project are to determine the extension and applied research needs of residents in urban and rural Hillsborough County regarding urban trees and urbanizing forests. The perception of urban and rural community leaders towards urban forests were also determined using nominal groups and survey instruments. Completed in 2007.  

Specific objectives of the project are to determine the perception of community leader towards urban forests and hurricanes using a mail survey.  Extension and applied research needs of residents in Broward County regarding urban trees and urbanizing forests were also determined. Completed 2008.

The primary objective of this collaborative project with the USDA Forest Service and is to monitor how Florida urban forests and their ecosystem services change over time using the Urban Forest Effects model. Quantification of how the urban forest structure and sols affect ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, air pollution removal, and building energy effects have been determined.  Urban forest management indicators for assessing ecosystem services have been determined as well as urban tree growth, mortality, and in-growth.  Factors driving urban forest change have been determined. Completed 2010.

To provide a rapid and cost-effective method to analyze tree cover change and establish permanent hurricane effects and urbanization monitoring sites. Urban tree cover changes in Miami-Dade and Fort Lauderdale from 1984 to 2004 and 2004 to 2005 have been assessed. Urban greening policies are being analyzed using satellite imagery, US Census Data, and permanent plots. Completed 2008.

Poor air quality is a common problem in many urban areas. It can lead to human health problems and reduced visibility, and it can impair the health of plants and wildlife. The urban forest can help improve air quality by removing pollutants and by reducing air temperature through shading and transpiration. The USDA Forest Service's Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) Model was used to better understand air pollution removal by urban trees in Gainesville, Florida. [296 KB, PDF]

Climate change is a world-wide issue, and it may seem as if only actions by national governments can work effectively against it. Communities can mitigate climate change through reducing fossil fuel consumption and good management of its urban forest. Urban trees can reduce concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide by storing carbon in their roots, stems, and branches. By estimating the amount of carbon removed by trees, we can determine the role of urban forests in mitigating climate change and also assign an economic value to the amount of carbon sequestered by an urban forest. [223 KB, PDF]

While we often think about individual trees in an urban setting, collectively these trees are known as an urban forest. This publication defines an urban forest inventory and its advantages. It also reviews some necessary considerations for conducting and funding the inventory. Finally, it provides some options that can assist you in managing your inventory. [38 KB,PDF]

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