First assignment: summarize benefits of urban trees

 

Purpose

This exercise is meant to get the class familiar with the literature on the benefits of urban trees, as it is these benefits that are driving the tree planting campaigns in New York and other cities. Students will break up into 4 groups of 3, each focusing on a different benefit related to urban forests from the list below. The purpose is for students to briefly review the literature for the benefit of interest and share this with the rest of the class through a presentation. Groups will begin using several summary articles on the topic of urban tree benefits and an Endnote bibliography of urban forestry by the Forest Service (which includes abstracts electronically), posted on BlackBoard and any additional electronic or library resources that are needed.

 

 

Benefits to be analyzed:

  1. Energy use reduction (heating and cooling) & carbon sequestration (David, Dexter and Kate)
  2. Air pollution reduction and public health (Burton, Kelly and Zack)
  3. Water quality improvement (Mike, Helen and Michelle)
  4. Property value/ aesthetics and agriculture/agroforestry (Dan, Loona and J)

 

Deliverables

A powerpoint presentation from the group summarizing the major findings of the literature review

 

Dates:

This exercise will begin the first week of classes and will continue in tandem with other class activities until the presentations on Sept. 29.

 

Groups:

Will be assigned the first class