Urban Mesoclimate Effects on Winter Survival and Damage of Ornamental Species in Fort Worth, Texas

Abstract

Urban areas are typically 2 to 3°C warmer than surrounding rural areas throughout the year. Winter minimum temperatures are often 4 to 5 °C warmer in the city and, during extreme episodes may exhibit differences of 12 to 13°C. Because the USDA Hardiness Maps compile readings from individual stations in an area, temperature differences may not be apparent at the local scale. This study was conducted to compare ornamental plant damage during Winter 1995–96 in Fort Worth, Texas. AVHRR 1-km thermal satellite imagery was used to determine the warmest and coolest portions in Fort Worth, Texas. Each temperature area was divided into five 0.5-km blocks on the basis of similar landscape features and plant types. During Mar. 1996, these areas were evaluated on the basis of plant damage to several species. Asian jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), indian hawthorn (Raphiolepis indica), St. augustine turf (Stenotaphrum secundatum), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), and Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) were the primary species damaged. Asian jasmine and St. Augustine turf were either completely killed or severely damaged in the coldest areas but suffered only moderate or light damage in the warmest areas. Indian hawthorn, live oak, and southern magnolia suffered leaf and stem damage in the coldest areas but little to no damage in the warmer areas.