A New i-Tree Tool for Assessing Forest Impacts on Urban Ecosystems (11-DG-11132544-340)

This project creates a new spatially distributed i-Tree toolset that is an exciting addition to existing USDA Forest Service (FS) technologic infrastructure and data sets.  Our spatially distributed i-Tree toolset quantifies carbon mitigation, climate adaptation, and pollution abatement management strategies for urban communities. This proposal extends our partnership with the USDA FS Northern Research Station to break the spatial lumped i-Tree Eco/Hydro models (e.g. toolset) into smaller planning units that are integrated across the urban landscape. Our toolset allows communities to plan urban forest designs and quantity and assess their impact on carbon storage, air temperature, energy use, and air and water pollution.  We use our new toolset to test current i-Tree Eco/Hydro inputs and assumptions, and develop alternative distributed inputs, including those derived from remote sensing and output from US EPA models (e.g. WRF and CMAQ).  Our project has a national significance, with an input and parameter structure that takes advantage of available national databases.  Case studies include Baltimore, MD, Syracuse, NY, and Los Angeles, CA, though the model can readily be applied in other US cities.  The resulting toolset are integrated within the USDA Forest Service’s online i-Tree Software Suite for wide dissemination.

Final Report Download

Project Narrative