RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Relationship Between Urban Leaf Area and Household Energy Usage in Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
JF Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF)
JO JOA
FD International Society of Arboriculture
SP 226
OP 230
DO 10.48044/jauf.2003.026
VO 29
IS 4
A1 Ryan R. Jensen
A1 James R. Boulton
A1 Bruce T. Harper
YR 2003
UL http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/29/4/226.abstract
AB The accrual of urban forest amenities and the estimation of these benefits is an essential step in the process of preserving and expanding urban forest resources. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that these benefits, specifically decreased cooling costs, can be effectively estimated using a mixed methodological approach that combines remotes sensing technologies with standard statistical analysis. This study tests the relationship between urban forest leaf area index (LAI) and household energy usage in summer 2001 in a mid-sized city. Results indicate an inverse relationship between LAI and energy usage, signifying that as LAI increases, energy usage decreases. This study could be used by urban planners and others to promote urban forests, justify urban forest projects, and assess the outcomes current policy.