Effects of greenbelt width on air temperature and humidity in urban river corridors

Abstract

Aims Our purpose is to provide a scientific basis for the construction of urban river corridors. We analyzed the effects of different widths of urban river greenbelts on air temperature and humidity. Methods We studied eight greenbelts with different widths along the fifth ring in Beijing, China during one year. We measured air temperature and relative humidity of the greenbelts near the river and at a control location every two hours from 8:00 to 18:00 for seven continuous days in each season. Important findings The greenbelt width affected the decrease of temperature and increase of humidity in spring, summer and autumn, and the effect increased with greater width. The effect was strongest on temperature and humidity in summer, and there was little difference between spring and autumn. The greenbelt affects the increase of temperature and decrease of humidity in summer. The temperature effect increased and the humidity effect decreased with greater width. The effects of different greenbelt widths on temperature and humidity were related to ambient temperature. It is greatest during the time that temperature was highest (14:00–16:00). The effect of greenbelt width on the decrease of temperature and increase of humidity was strongest in spring, summer and autumn, while the effect on the increase of temperature was weakest and decrease of humidity was strongest in winter.