Linking Past to Present - How History, Hurricanes, and Humans Impact Florida’s Urban Forests

Abstract

Trees make our cities and urban areas more livable. Trees provide many benefits, known as ecosystem services, to residents. Cities often make management plans and care for their trees to increase the benefits provided by their urban forests. These plans often include goals to increase tree cover. This study assessed tree cover in 300 Florida (U.S.A.) cities. Each city’s urban tree canopy coverage (a percentage of how much of a city is covered by the leafy tops of trees) was analyzed. The goal was to assess the effects of hurricanes, past land cover, and local laws on total tree cover. The study found that hurricanes can decrease tree canopy coverage. It also found that the type of land cover present before a city was built can predict present canopy coverage. Results also found that some local laws can protect or enhance urban tree canopy, even in the face of city development and natural disasters.