The Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG) is excited to announce the findings of a significant research project conducted in collaboration with the Texas Christian University (TCU) Environmental & Sustainability Sciences Department. This study highlights the vital ecosystem services provided by urban forests, specifically focusing on the South Woods of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
Urban Forest Benefits
Many cities are experiencing a decline in green spaces due to increased urbanization, leading to environmental and social challenges. Yet, urban forests play a crucial role in enhancing environmental, economic, and social well-being. Trees provide numerous benefits to the surrounding urban area, such as:
- Air Quality Improvement: Trees filter pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter from the air, leading to cleaner and healthier urban environments.
- Climate Regulation: Urban forests help mitigate the urban heat island effect by providing shade and releasing water vapor through transpiration, which cools the air.
- Biodiversity Support: The South Woods serves as a habitat for various wildlife species, promoting biodiversity within an urban setting.
- Water Management: Trees and forests play a significant role in water cycle regulation by improving groundwater recharge and reducing stormwater runoff.
- Social and Psychological Benefits: Access to green spaces and forested areas has been associated with enhanced mental health, reduced stress levels, and improved overall well-being of urban residents.
- Economic benefits: Increased property values, elevated tax revenue, and boosted local businesses due to improved infrastructure and amenities.
In this study, TCU students under the supervision of Assistant Professor Brendan L. Lavy, PhD, employed a comprehensive approach to assess the benefits of the South Woods urban forest. They used field measurements, satellite imagery analysis, and ecosystem service models to quantify the forest’s impact on the local environment, including carbon storage and sequestration, avoided runoff, pollution removal, oxygen production, and replacement value.
“Urban forests contribute significantly to human well-being and environmental health, and it is important to ensure that their benefits accrue to current and future generations,” said Dr. Lavy. “Through this unique collaboration, students had the opportunity to add to our understanding of the values and benefits of trees while learning proper field methods and how to report their results.”
“This collaboration was an opportunity for us to combine our strengths to promote innovation and efficiency and accomplish the mutually beneficial goal of assessing the ecological value of our urban forest, said Seth Hamby, Director of Living Collections at FWBG. We believe strongly that hands-on time spent in nature is essential for all people to help build a lifelong passion for conservation. I look forward to many more projects like this in the future!”
Key Findings
The collaborative research initiative yielded several key findings that underscore the importance of maintaining and expanding urban forests like the South Woods. Some of these findings include:
- Carbon Sequestration and Storage: The South Woods contributes to carbon sequestration (capture and conversion of carbon) and storage (maintaining the carbon in a stable form over time), helping to offset carbon emissions and combat climate change.
- Economic Value: The ecosystem services provided by the South Woods translate into quantifiable economic benefits, including reduced healthcare costs and increased property values.
- Species of Concern—Ash Trees: The study also shed light on the impact of the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle, on the South Woods. Out of 142 trees measured, 42 were ash trees (29.5%). These trees are at risk due to the emerald ash borer, which is native to Asia and has spread to the US through untreated wood. Ash trees in the South Woods store 420,012 lbs. of carbon and sequester 2,016 lbs./year of carbon. The replacement value of these ash trees is estimated at $236,000 (USD).
Study Insights
The research project aimed to calculate ecosystem services and determine the annual benefits and replacement values of trees in the South Woods. Students were encouraged to think about how to communicate scientific findings to the public in a way that is informative and uses comparisons to make the information more relatable. Here are some of the key findings:
- Carbon Storage: Estimated 490 tons of carbon stored, equivalent to taking 106 cars off the road per year.
- Carbon Sequestration: Estimated 13.42 tons of carbon sequestered annually, comparable to the weight of over 13 male bison.
- Runoff Avoided: Estimated 176,002.87 gallons of runoff avoided annually, equivalent to filling 563,209 Stanley Cups.
- Pollution Removal: Estimated 11,977.47 oz of pollutants are removed annually, comparable to the weight of a large grizzly bear.
- Oxygen Production: Estimated 35.78 tons of oxygen produced annually, equivalent to the weight of 4.5 T-Rexs.
- Replacement Value of South Woods: An estimated replacement value of $3.42 million, equivalent to the cost of an island for sale off the coast of Scotland.
“This class offered a unique opportunity to learn about the services provided by trees within our local area. I really enjoyed engaging in a hands-on project that not only provided us with important information but also benefited the community and demonstrated the importance of spaces such as the Fort Worth Botanic Garden in urban environments,” said Reese Reeder, a TCU Environmental Science Student involved in the project.
The collaboration between FWBG and TCU has enabled a deeper understanding of the ecological, economic, and social significance of preserving and expanding urban forests within Fort Worth, it not only quantifies these benefits but also highlights the need for continuous conservation and community engagement. The findings serve as a call to action for city planners, environmental organizations, and the local community to prioritize urban green space efforts.
Future Initiatives
Based on the findings of the research, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden plans to implement several initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing the South Woods urban forest, including:
- Tree Planting Programs: Expanding tree planting efforts to increase canopy cover and maximize the benefits of urban forests.
- Educational Outreach: Developing educational programs and workshops to raise awareness about the importance of plants and urban forests and engage the local community in conservation efforts.
- Collaborative Research Projects: Continuing to partner with institutions like TCU to conduct further research on urban forest benefits and develop innovative solutions for urban sustainability.
- Conservation: Continuing our work through The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), the research and conservation arm of FWBG, focusing on plant conservation and research centered around biodiversity, evolution, and conservation, all with the goal of increasing our understanding and appreciation of the plant world.
- Treatment of Ash Trees: To combat the emerald ash borer, selected ash trees are being treated with an insecticide. This treatment acts as a barrier to the beetles, preventing further burrowing. Thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts, a leading provider of scientific tree care, for offering the generous donation of services to FWBG they will be able save 24 selected ash trees threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer
FWBG remains dedicated to furthering research, engaging with the community, and advocating for sustainable urban development practices that prioritize the health and well-being of the environment and its inhabitants.
For more detailed information on the study, future initiatives, or ways to get involved in conservation, please visit our website www.fwbg.org or reach out to us directly. Together, we can ensure that urban forests like the South Woods continue to thrive and provide invaluable benefits for generations to come.
