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Using trees as a temperature mitigation strategy in Camden, New Jersey
Citation:
Razzaghmanesh, M., Mike Borst, J. Liu, F. Ahmed, T. OConnor, AND A. Selvakumar. Using trees as a temperature mitigation strategy in Camden, New Jersey. Presented at International Low Impact Development Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, August 12 - 15, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Urban trees, either as standalone plantings or as part of a tree pit, are a popular stormwater management tool. Beyond the aesthetic contribution, trees are widely accepted as reducing ambient air temperature. There is, however, limited quantitative information regarding the temperature mitigation. This study monitored air temperature at locations throughout Camden, NJ.
Description:
Urban trees, either as standalone plantings or as part of a tree pit, are a popular stormwater management tool. Beyond the aesthetic contribution, trees are widely accepted as reducing ambient air temperature. There is, however, limited quantitative information regarding the temperature mitigation. This study monitored air temperature at locations throughout Camden, NJ. Sensors were installed under trees of different sizes or attached to poles using a statistical experimental design. The tree size (small or large) and canopy (intersecting or non-intersecting), along with street orientation (predominantly north-south or east-west) and period (daylight or nighttime) were experimental design factors. Sensors at a similar height attached to light poles served as controls. This study recorded temperatures at 10-minute intervals from early August through late November 2017 using logging thermistors mounted in radiation shields about 4 m above the ground surface.
Maximum daily air temperature was used to divide data into three categories (hot, average and cold days). The groups were analyzed separately using Factorial Analyses of Variance to test the significance of the categorical variables. During hot days (maximum temperature larger than 30°C), mean daily air temperature under trees with intersecting canopies was less than other categories during daylight. The mean daily air temperature at control sites was less than the other sites during nighttime hours. There was significant effect of period and significant interactions effect between period × tree categories and period × streets orientations. Regarding average days (17°C