The green ‘signature’ of Irish cities: An examination of the ecosystem services provided by trees using i-Tree Canopy software

Authors

  • Gerald Mills University College Dublin
  • Max Anjos Universidade de Lisboa. Ed. IGOT
  • Michael Brennan University College Dublin
  • Jean Williams University College Dublin
  • Clare McAleavey University College Dublin
  • Tine Ningal University College Dublin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.2015.625

Abstract

Urban areas profoundly alter the local atmosphere, hydrology and biology, usually for the worse. Increasing the vegetative cover in urbanised areas is considered an effective way of offsetting many of the undesirable outcomes of urbanisation and is often incorporated as Green Infrastructure into urban development plans. In this paper we present a first assessment of the green cover in Irish city centres (Belfast, Cork, Derry, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford) and evaluate the environmental benefits of trees for air quality using the i-Tree Canopy software. This online software is used to conduct a spatial sample of the urban landscape and estimate tree canopy cover from which potential air quality benefits are calculated. The results show significant differences between and within city centre areas in terms of vegetative (and tree) cover; Belfast and Dublin, with less than 10% vegetative cover are in marked contrast to other cities where the average is close to 30%. Based on the findings we discuss place-based policies for improving green infrastructure in Irish cities and the evidence needed to support policies.

Urban areas profoundly alter the local atmosphere, hydrology and biology, usually for the worse. Increasing the vegetative cover in urbanised areas is considered an effective way of offsetting many of the undesirable outcomes of urbanisation and is often incorporated as Green Infrastructure into urban development plans. In this paper we present a first assessment of the green cover in Irish city centres (Belfast, Cork, Derry, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford) and evaluate the environmental benefits of trees for air quality using the i-Tree Canopy software. This online software is used to conduct a spatial sample of the urban landscape and estimate tree canopy cover from which potential air quality benefits are calculated. The results show significant differences between and within city centre areas in terms of vegetative (and tree) cover; Belfast and Dublin, with less than 10% vegetative cover are in marked contrast to other cities where the average is close to 30%. Based on the findings we discuss place-based policies for improving green infrastructure in Irish cities and the evidence needed to support policies.

Author Biographies

Gerald Mills, University College Dublin

School of Geography, Newman Building, UCD, Dublin 4

Max Anjos, Universidade de Lisboa. Ed. IGOT

Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, Center of Geographical Studies (ZEPHYRUS/Climate Change and Environmental Systems Research Group)

Michael Brennan, University College Dublin

School of Geography

Jean Williams, University College Dublin

School of Geography, Newman Building, UCD, Dublin 4

Clare McAleavey, University College Dublin

School of Geography, Newman Building, UCD, Dublin 4

Tine Ningal, University College Dublin

School of Geography, Newman Building, UCD, Dublin 4

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Published

2016-10-19

How to Cite

Mills, G., Anjos, M., Brennan, M., Williams, J., McAleavey, C., & Ningal, T. (2016). The green ‘signature’ of Irish cities: An examination of the ecosystem services provided by trees using i-Tree Canopy software. Irish Geography, 48(2), 62–77. https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.2015.625

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