Urban Forestry

Abstract

Abstract Urban forestry widely affects urban environments, impacting a city's microclimate, recreational value, and water resources. With regard to water resources, urban trees and forests can, for example, dampen the effects of extreme precipitation or help evaporate precipitation to reduce stormwater runoff. Yet, urban planners rarely consider urban forestry as a tool in integrated water resource management (IWRM). This chapter focuses on how urban forest setting, canopy manipulation, and tree species selection can significantly alter urban hydrologic processes, using as an example the first interaction between urban forests and the terrestrial hydrologic cycle: canopy precipitation partitioning. We detail the economic relevance of urban canopy precipitation partitioning to IWRM and review research quantifying its connection to manageable urban forest traits. Since many urban forests around the globe face increased extreme storm frequency, a case study of precipitation partitioning among different forest settings during an extreme storm is presented. Major factors that influence the urban forest's role in stormwater quality are also discussed. Conclusions and future directions on how urban water managers may influence urban canopy precipitation partitioning to assist in achieving management goals are provided.