A GIS-based decision-support model linking urban forest benefits with sustainability goals: an application to Thunder Bay, Ontario

Abstract

Urban forests are a key piece of a city's green infrastructure, highly valued for their socioeconomic and environmental benefits. Current research demonstrates their structure and function are considerable assets to the health and livability of a city (e.gs., energy savings, stormwater mitigation, decreased crime rates.) Cities are also now beginning to recognize the importance of these benefits in managing and maintaining their urban forests. However, the ways in which these benefits are tabulated fall short of providing city foresters and municipal planners schemes by which to prioritize tree planting and tree care regimes that will optimize benefits to the community. This proposes a method by which this may be accomplished.