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Importance of trees in cities - Coggle Diagram
Importance of trees in cities
Environmental benefits
Reduce soil erosion
Slow filtration of water into cities' drainage networks and hence prevent flash floods + stormwater runoff is reduced by 2% collecting harmful chemicals from roads and pavements
Support urban flood risk management
Cooling effect thanks to evapotranspiration
Sequester and store carbon
Provide shade for ground and buildings
Produce oxygen
Support management of air pollution
Provide a source of food and habitat to a plethora of other species like bats, badgers, insects, birds...
Collectively, trees can cool urban areas by up to 8 degrees celsius
Health benefits
Effective sound barrier to help reduce urban noise pollution
88% of trees in NYC are forageable for medicine and food
Positive impact on skin cancer, asthma
Better health immunity
Research has shown a 60% reduction in particulates from car exhaust fumes on streets lined with trees
Boost blood circulation and oxygen levels
Air quality = ozone is reduced
Lessen blood pressure and anxiety
Aesthetic impact + seasonal interest = huge appeal
Remove sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulates, carbon monoxide, cadmium, nickel, lead from the air
Mental health benefits
Help us cope with artificial urban environment
Reduce the level of cortisol in the brain = stress hormone
Alleviate stress
Better mood + higher motivation to exercise outdoors
A hostile environment
Soil quality
A large proportion of urban trees that are planted do not reach maturity
Soil support
84% of the population live in urban areas in the UK. This population is growing causing green spaces to dwindle.
Paved landscapes limit access to rainfall irrigation
The UK lost 222,000 hectares of green space due to urban sprawl between 2006-2012
Other benefits
Property value = independent studies have shown a consistent 5 to 15 % increase in property values on tree lined streets= they increase commercial and residential real estate value
Crime reduction = researchers have discovered reductions in both violent and petty crime including domestic violence through the therapeutic, calming influence of mature tree planting
Limit/ decrease energy consumption combating the island effect = it can curtail cooling demand
They significantly reduce wind speed up to a distance of 10 times their height
Addresses social equality and inclusion