Applying spatial analysis techniques to assess Tennessee urban forests

Abstract

Although the social, economic, and ecological benefits of urban forests have been well-documented, fewer efforts have been made to conduct landscape level assessments of urban forest canopy. This technical note describes how spatial analysis techniques were used to evaluate urban forest canopy cover in 133 municipal urban areas across Tennessee. Municipalities were compared based on participation in the Tree City USA program. Although urban forests vary greatly, results indicated that cities participating in this community forestry initiative exhibit higher levels of urban forest canopy cover. The integration of geographic information systems and remote sensing data presents new opportunities for community foresters to efficiently and effectively monitor urban ecosystems and formulate appropriate policy responses that can help to ensure forest sustainability across the urban-rural interface. Copyright © 2008 by the Society of American Foresters.