General data collection variables for urban forest health monitoring
| Variable type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Plot description | Location, land use, owner, and ground cover are used to describe the conditions and geographic location of the plot and to be able to relocate the plot in the future |
| Tree description | Species, diameter, and height are used to characterize the tree resource in terms of species frequency, size distribution, risk to pests and diseases, and estimate carbon storage and building energy conservation |
| Crown description | Measurements of crown width, height, and condition are used to estimate leaf area and biomass, which in turn are used to calculate leaf area index, air pollution removal, and volatile organic compound emissions |
| Damage description | Fourteen damage types have been predefined; presence of one or more of these damages may indicate a pest, disease, or abiotic stress influencing tree health; coupled with species frequency and crown condition, managers will be able to summarize conditions by species over land use, location, or owner |