An Examination of the Thermal Comfort Impacts of Ficus altssima on the Climate in Lower Subtropical China during the Winter Season

Abstract

As a common practice in urban landscape design, tree planting plays an important role in improving the environment and microclimate. This study aimed to investigate the thermal comfort effects provided by trees on the surrounding environment. Using the common tree species Ficus altissima growing in lower subtropical China, the variation in temperature, humidity, and wind speed due to the tree canopy was summarized, the intensity of transpiration and cooling effects was analyzed, and the regression relationship between the indicators and thermal comfort was investigated using the physiological equivalent temperature (PET). The results revealed that various indications for thermal comfort may be described separately by one-dimensional regression equations, and three viable multiple regression equations could be created using the PET by combining physical, physiological, and microclimatic parameters.