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Don’t Pave Paradise: The Benefits of Urban Forests
An enlightening research initiative between the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG) and Texas Christian University (TCU) has unveiled crucial findings that emphasize the significance of preserving and expanding urban forests in highly populated areas, such as Fort Worth. The study also shows the role of urban forests in enhancing environmental, economic, and social well-being for the surrounding community.
Under the supervision of Assistant Professor Brendan L. Lavy, Ph.D., TCU students employed a comprehensive approach to assess the benefits of FWBG’s South Woods urban forest. They used field measurements, satellite imagery analysis, and ecosystem service models to quantify the forest’s impact on the local environment.
Main advantages that the study reinforced were that trees provide numerous benefits to the surrounding urban area, such as improving air quality, regulating climate, supporting biodiversity, managing water, and providing social and psychological well-being. Access to green spaces and forested areas has been associated with enhanced mental health and reduced stress levels for urban residents.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
“Urban forests contribute significantly to human well-being and environmental health, and it is important to ensure that their benefits accrue to current and future generations,” said Dr. Lavy. “Through this unique collaboration, students had the opportunity to add to our understanding of the values and benefits of trees while learning proper field methods and how to report their results.”
“This collaboration was an opportunity for us to combine our strengths to promote innovation and efficiency and accomplish the mutually beneficial goal of assessing the ecological value of our urban forest,” said Seth Hamby, Director of Living Collections at FWBG. “We believe strongly that hands-on time spent in nature is essential for all people to help build a lifelong passion for conservation. I look forward to many more projects like this in the future!”
Additionally, the ecosystem services provided by the South Woods translate into quantifiable economic benefits, including:
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Carbon Storage: Estimated 490 tons of carbon stored, equivalent to taking 106 cars off the road per year.
- Carbon Sequestration (capture and conversion of carbon): Estimated 13.42 tons of carbon sequestered annually, comparable to the weight of over 13 male bison.
- Runoff Avoided: Estimated 176,002.87 gallons of runoff avoided annually, equivalent to filling 563,209 Stanley Cups.
- Pollution Removal: Estimated 11,977.47 oz of pollutants are removed annually, comparable to the weight of a large grizzly bear.
- Oxygen Production: Estimated 35.78 tons of oxygen produced annually, equivalent to the weight of 4.5 T-Rex dinosaurs.
- Replacement Value of South Woods: An estimated replacement value of $3.42 million, equivalent to the cost of an island for sale off the coast of Scotland.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Reese Reeder, a TCU Environmental Science Student involved in the project, expressed enthusiasm for the hands-on experience, stating, “This class offered a unique opportunity to learn about the services provided by trees within our local area. I really enjoyed engaging in a hands-on project that not only provided us with important information but also benefited the community and demonstrated the importance of spaces such as the Fort Worth Botanic Garden in urban environments.”
These findings serve as a call to action for city planners, environmental organizations, and the local community to prioritize urban green space efforts. For more detailed information on the study, future initiatives, or ways to get involved in conservation through FWBG, please visit our website or reach out to us directly. Together, we can ensure that urban forests continue to thrive and provide invaluable benefits for generations to come.
