Importance of Trees in Urban Areas

Carbon Sequestration

Trees play a crucial role in sequestering carbon that is released into the atmosphere. Through photosynthesis, trees take up carbon dioxide and convert it into organic matter, which is then stored for long periods of time (EPA, 2017). Since carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas that humans emit, trees provide an essential ecological service by acting as a carbon sink. Because of their abilities to uptake carbon, trees help offset human made carbon emissions, such as through deforestation or fossil fuels (USDA, 2016). For these reasons, trees help mitigate climate change due to their amazing carbon sequestration abilities! 

Air Quality

Trees are also important in terms of air quality. By uptake through the stomata in their leaves, trees can remove many pollutants including but not limited to: particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. According to research by the National Recreation and Parks Association, “pollution removal by trees in cities can range up to 11,100 tons per year” (Nowak & Heisler). They also reported that one acre of tree cover in a park removes an average of 80 pounds of pollution per year. And in cities like Los Angeles, with high pollution and a long growing season, up to 200 pounds per year!

Water Quality

Trees are extremely important in filtering pollutants that infiltrate watershed systems. A few indicators of trees and water quality along a riparian zone are: shade to regulate temperature, assessing native and invasive tree species, and root growth. The riparian zone is an area between land and a river.The roots and soil act as a strainer to filter out the toxic substances from seeping into streams, rivers, ponds, etc. A well-designed riparian zone can: 

  • Help filter pollution from surrounding areas
  • Decrease soil erosion 
  • Aid waterflow during droughts 
  • Give shade and habitat for wildlife 

Lastly, fun fact,Forested watersheds provide quality drinking water to more than 180 million Americans” (Arborday).

Aesthetics

It’s worthwhile to promote tree planting in urban environments too. Planting native trees in urban greenspaces greatly helps support the local ecosystem and gives a lot of local character to said greenspaces. 

Cities in ecoregions where trees are abundant can plant lots of trees without sacrificing local character. City dwellers lucky enough to have easy access to an urban forest can attest to how the change in surroundings can take one’s mind off of day to day problems. Cities located in ecoregions where trees are sparse can maintain green spaces along riparian corridors in order to have urban forests while benefiting bodies of water by filtering runoff. If these cities maintain green spaces away from riparian corridors, it wouldn’t sacrifice local character to plant a small number of trees to have nice, cool places to relax, picnic under, or climb.

 

Best Hikes in Austin

One easy way to appreciate trees is to go on a hike. Austin hikes have great diversity and are nice havens in the busy city. We have compiled a list of some of the best hikes in Austin and encourage you to get out there and hike!

 

MOUNT BONNELL

  • Location: Near Lake Austin, Covert Park
  • Length: 30 minutes 
  • Difficulty Rating: Easy
  • Best For: One of the best views of Lake Austin at the top of the trail

 

ST EDWARDS PARK

  • Location: Near 360 in North Austin 
  • Length: 3 miles
  • Difficulty Rating: Easy
  • Best For: An easy and fairly unknown location for hiking

 

WALNUT CREEK TRAIL

  • Location: Eastern Austin
  • Length: 7 Miles 
  • Difficulty Rating: Easy/intermediate
  • Best For: Many bike and hike trails, wildflower fields and views of the water

 

BARTON CREEK GREENBELT

  • Location: Barton Creek Greenbelt in downtown Austin
  • Length: 5-mile round-trip out-and-back
  • Difficulty Rating: Easy/intermediate
  • Best For: Exploring the trails and swimming holes of Barton Creek Greenbelt

 

MAYFIELD NATURE PRESERVE

  • Location: On the river by Laguna Gloria 
  • Length: 30 Minute Walk
  • Difficulty Rating: Very Easy
  • Best For: A quick hike where you can see a lot of wildlife

 

WILD BASIN WILDERNESS PRESERVE

  • Location: By St Edward’s campus
  • Length: 2.5 Miles
  • Difficulty Rating: Easy/intermediate
  • Best For: An easy outing on one of the most popular trails in downtown Austin

 

LADY BIRD LAKE

  • Location: Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin
  • Length: 10.5-mile round-trip loop
  • Difficulty Rating: Easy/intermediate
  • Best For: An easy outing on one of the most popular trails in downtown Austin

 

Post by: Maya Soojhai, Lily Coffman, Jake Stern, Patrick Jones, and Grace Hosek

 

Bibliography

Denny, Marshawn. “Reforestation Services.” TreeFolks, TreeFolks, 10 May 2021, https://www.treefolks.org/reforestation-services/.  

Nowak, D.J., & Heisler, G.M. (2010). Improving air quality with trees and parks. Research Series Monograph. Ashburn, VA: National Recreation and Parks Association Research Series Monograph.

“Tree Facts.” Tree Facts at Arborday.org, https://www.arborday.org/trees/treefacts/.  

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. (2016). Carbon Sequestration. https://www.fs.fed.us/ecosystemservices/carbon.shtml

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Carbon. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/sc/carbon

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2017). Report on the Environment: Carbon Storage in Forests. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks-1990-2015.  

Working Trees for Water Quality – USDA. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/assets/documents/workingtrees/brochures/wtwq.pdf.