Description

This study examines the distributional equity of urban tree canopy (UTC) cover for Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Raleigh, NC, Sacramento, CA, and Washington, D.C. using high spatial resolution land cover data and census data.

This study examines the distributional equity of urban tree canopy (UTC) cover for Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Raleigh, NC, Sacramento, CA, and Washington, D.C. using high spatial resolution land cover data and census data. Data are analyzed at the Census Block Group levels using Spearman’s correlation, ordinary least squares regression (OLS), and a spatial autoregressive model (SAR). Across all cities there is a strong positive correlation between UTC cover and median household income. Negative correlations between race and UTC cover exist in bivariate models for some cities, but they are generally not observed using multivariate regressions that include additional variables on income, education, and housing age. SAR models result in higher r-square values compared to the OLS models across all cities, suggesting that spatial autocorrelation is an important feature of our data. Similarities among cities can be found based on shared characteristics of climate, race/ethnicity, and size. Our findings suggest that a suite of variables, including income, contribute to the distribution of UTC cover. These findings can help target simultaneous strategies for UTC goals and environmental justice concerns.

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Details

Title
  • Trees Grow on Money: Urban Tree Canopy Cover and Environmental Justice
Date Created
2015-04-01
Resource Type
  • Text
  • Collections this item is in
    Identifier
    • Digital object identifier: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122051
    • Identifier Type
      International standard serial number
      Identifier Value
      1045-3830
    • Identifier Type
      International standard serial number
      Identifier Value
      1939-1560
    Note
    • The article is published at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122051

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    This is a suggested citation. Consult the appropriate style guide for specific citation guidelines.

    Schwarz, K., Fragkias, M., Boone, C. G., Zhou, W., Mchale, M., Grove, J. M., . . . Cadenasso, M. L. (2015). Trees Grow on Money: Urban Tree Canopy Cover and Environmental Justice. Plos One, 10(4). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0122051

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