A Spatial Analysis of Urban Tree Canopy Using High-Resolution Land Cover Data for Chattanooga, Tennessee

Abstract

Urban tree canopy (UTC) provides urban residents with numerous benefits, including positive mental and physical health, the mitigation and prevention of urban heat islands, and a sense of place. Numerous studies have shown that as the wealth of a community decreases, so does the amount of UTC found in the community; thus, wealthier communities are more likely to enjoy the benefits that urban forests provide. Emerging technologies in remote sensing and GIS are allowing for new opportunities to study and understand the relationships between urban neighborhoods and UTC. In this study, land cover data for Chattanooga, Tennessee were derived from high-resolution (50 cm) multispectral imagery to assess the previously unknown extent and distribution of UTC and to measure the extent of UTC by neighborhood and census block group level. Using exploratory regression analysis, variables representing income, population density, race, educational attainment, and urban heat islands were analyzed to investigate the influence of UTC on neighborhood characteristics. This study found that UTC represented half of the total land cover composition, the tree equity was not as profound as shown in other cities, and the lack of UTC likely influences the prevalence of urban heat islands. This study also shows the importance and utility of using high-resolution imagery and land cover to assess and understand the impact and distribution of UTC in urban environments.