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Leaf Area Index Estimation Using Three Distinct Methods in Pure Deciduous Stands
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Seeking shade equity: Tree canopy coverage in public schools in Austin, TX
Georgia E Williams1, Dayna G Diven2
1Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
Pediatric Dermatology
|March 20, 2024
Summary
Schools with more minority students had greater tree canopy, but high-need areas were lower priority. Tree planting initiatives need to address these urban canopy inequities for student health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Urban planning
- Dermatology
Background:
- Tree canopies offer significant environmental and dermatologic benefits, particularly on school campuses.
- Existing tree planting initiatives may inadvertently worsen existing disparities in access to these benefits.
- Socioeconomic factors likely influence the distribution of tree canopy shade on school grounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between tree canopy shade on public school campuses in Austin, TX, and student socioeconomic status.
- To assess whether current tree initiatives effectively address identified inequities in canopy distribution.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing ArcGIS to quantify tree canopy cover on 112 Austin Independent School District campuses in 2006 and 2022.
- Comparison of tree canopy percentages with student eligibility for free and reduced meals (FRM).
- Analysis of FRM student percentages in relation to "low priority" versus "high priority" neighborhoods based on Austin's Tree Priority Map.
Main Results:
- Schools with a higher percentage of minority, FRM-eligible students exhibited significantly more tree canopy (19.9%) compared to schools with majority FRM-eligible students (12.4%).
- A significant disparity was found in FRM-eligible student percentages between "low priority" (23.8%) and "high priority" (62.2%) areas.
- These findings indicate a complex relationship between socioeconomic status, race, and tree canopy distribution.
Conclusions:
- Rectifying inequities in tree canopy access for public school students requires targeted interventions.
- Utilizing designations like Austin's Tree Priority Map can help direct equitable tree planting efforts.
- Encourages interdisciplinary research involving dermatologists, healthcare professionals, and urban planners using GIS to promote environmental justice.
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