Street trees in italian cities: story, biodiversity and integration within the urban environment

Caneva, Giulia; Bartoli, Flavia; Zappitelli, Ilaria; Savo, Valentina

doi:10.1007/s12210-020-00907-9

Cited by 24 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Q. ilex is a common urban tree in Mediterranean cities, , and it is an evergreen species with a higher LAI than most other broadleaves, which makes it particularly suitable for the accumulation of particulate matter on leaves , and less subject to seasonal variation related to leaf development . Thanks to the presence of trichomes and specific leaf area, it was recently classified as one of the most effective particle accumulators of urban plant species .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 17 An accumulation index has been recently developed considering a number of leaf properties analyzed with a microscope, which will help to rank the various species and to optimize those planting programs aimed at maximizing PM removal. 14 Q. ilex is a common urban tree in Mediterranean cities, 59 , 60 and it is an evergreen species with a higher LAI than most other broadleaves, which makes it particularly suitable for the accumulation of particulate matter on leaves 28 , 61 and less subject to seasonal variation related to leaf development. 45 Thanks to the presence of trichomes and specific leaf area, it was recently classified as one of the most effective particle accumulators of urban plant species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Comparing i-Tree Eco Estimates of Particulate Matter Deposition with Leaf and Canopy Measurements in an Urban Mediterranean Holm Oak Forest

Pace

Guidolotti

Baldacchini

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Trees and urban forests remove particulate matter (PM) from the air through the deposition of particles on the leaf surface, thus helping to improve air quality and reduce respiratory problems in urban areas. Leaf deposited PM, in turn, is either resuspended back into the atmosphere, washed off during rain events or transported to the ground with litterfall. The net amount of PM removed depends on crown and leaf characteristics, air pollution concentration, and weather conditions, such as wind speed and precipitation. Many existing deposition models, such as i-Tree Eco, calculate PM2.5 removal using a uniform deposition velocity function and resuspension rate for all tree species, which vary based on leaf area and wind speed. However, model results are seldom validated with experimental data. In this study, we compared i-Tree Eco calculations of PM2.5 deposition with fluxes determined by eddy covariance assessments (canopy scale) and particulate matter accumulated on leaves derived from measurements of vacuum/filtration technique as well as scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (leaf scale). These investigations were carried out at the Capodimonte Royal Forest in Naples. Modeled and measured fluxes showed good overall agreement, demonstrating that net deposition mostly happened in the first part of the day when atmospheric PM concentration is higher, followed by high resuspension rates in the second part of the day, corresponding with increased wind speeds. The sensitivity analysis of the model parameters showed that a better representation of PM deposition fluxes could be achieved with adjusted deposition velocities. It is also likely that the standard assumption of a complete removal of particulate matter, after precipitation events that exceed the water storage capacity of the canopy (Ps), should be reconsidered to better account for specific leaf traits. These results represent the first validation of i-Tree Eco PM removal with experimental data and are a starting point for improving the model parametrization and the estimate of particulate matter removed by urban trees.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing i-Tree Eco Estimates of Particulate Matter Deposition with Leaf and Canopy Measurements in an Urban Mediterranean Holm Oak Forest

Pace

Guidolotti

Baldacchini

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…2). Tree-lined streets with Cupressus sempervirens L., Quercus ilex L., or Pinus pinea L., are frequent in the landscape of Italian cities (Caneva et al 2020) and can reach even monumental sizes as trees in our plots B and C, with diameters greater than 50 cm and heights up to 30 m for pine. This results in a large leaf area as shown by canopy diameter and projection.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Tree Measurements in the Urban Environment: Insights from Traditional and Digital Field Instruments to Smartphone Applications

Pace¹,

Masini²,

Giuliarelli³

et al. 2022

AUF

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Urban forests can provide essential environmental and social functions if properly planned and managed. Tree inventories and measurements are a critical part of assessing and monitoring the size, growth, and health condition of urban trees. In this context, the parameters usually collected are diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height, but additional data about crown dimensions (width, length, and crown projection) are required for a comprehensive tree assessment. These data are generally collected by urban foresters through field surveys using tree calipers or diameter tape for DBH and the electronic ipsometer/clinometer to measure tree height and crown size. Greater detail could be achieved using a digital instrument such as Field-Map, a portable computer station, to quickly realize dimensional and topographic surveys of trees and forest stands. Additionally, the incorporation of a LIDAR scanner into a smartphone such as the iPhone 12 Pro has made this device able to measure tree attributes as well as additional spatial data in the field. In this study, we tested these 3 different measurement systems in a field sampling of an urban forest and compared them in terms of measurable parameters, accuracy, cost, and time efficiency. Furthermore, we discussed the pros and cons of each measurement approach and how the resulted data can be used to evaluate ecosystem services of trees and provide guidance on tree management in order to reduce potential risks or disservices.

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“…Unless these species can offer multiple ES to balance out the EDS, then perhaps it is advisable to limit their inclusion in urban tree planting schemes. Currently, several factors seem to influence species selection in Italian cities, such as the aesthetic appeal, historical or cultural reasons, with the ecology of the species rarely forming consistent selection criteria [48].…”

Section: Species Preferencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Comfort and Perceptions of the Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Urban Trees in Florence

Speak

Salbitano

2021

Forests

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Modern urban lifestyles have most likely generated a loss of awareness of the bio-cultural benefits derived from the presence of trees and forests in cities. The present study aimed at understanding the level of awareness and the ability to express significant relationships, both positive and negative, on ecosystem services and disservices by the citizens of a Mediterranean city where thermal comfort during the summer period can be particularly problematic. A questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions was disseminated to citizens of Florence, Italy. The open questions allowed respondents space to describe what they perceive are the benefits and disbenefits of urban trees. Meanwhile, geospatial and climate data were processed in order to check the vegetation and microclimate conditions of the city areas where the 592 respondents live. The vast majority of respondents felt Florence is unbearably hot in summer with 93% agreeing the city needs more trees, and shaded places were perceived as the most important feature of urban green space. The results reveal many positive and negative associations to different species of trees and bring out a rich mosaic of perceptions towards urban green spaces and the features they contain. People are generally aware of a wide range of the benefits trees provide to communities and a good knowledge of the microclimate modification properties was revealed. Many of the popular public tree genera in the city, such as Tilia, Platanus and Pinus were favoured by residents however there was some overlap with trees that provoke negative experiences, and this information can be useful to city planners aiming to maximise ecosystem services and minimise ecosystem disservices.

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Street trees in italian cities: story, biodiversity and integration within the urban environment

Cited by 24 publications

References 35 publications

Comparing i-Tree Eco Estimates of Particulate Matter Deposition with Leaf and Canopy Measurements in an Urban Mediterranean Holm Oak Forest

Comparing i-Tree Eco Estimates of Particulate Matter Deposition with Leaf and Canopy Measurements in an Urban Mediterranean Holm Oak Forest

Tree Measurements in the Urban Environment: Insights from Traditional and Digital Field Instruments to Smartphone Applications

Thermal Comfort and Perceptions of the Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Urban Trees in Florence

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