Using Canopy Goals and Ecosystem Services Data to Support Land Use Decision-Making
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like416 views
This document outlines the timeline of efforts in Maryland to establish and meet forest and tree canopy goals. It summarizes key findings from recent studies on the ecosystem services provided by the existing 52% forest and tree canopy coverage. Maintaining this level of canopy coverage provides significant economic and public health benefits by improving air and water quality, reducing greenhouse gases, lowering temperatures, and increasing property values. The ecosystem services study provides data to support decision-making around conservation projects and tree planting programs aimed at sustaining the canopy coverage.
Using Canopy Goals and Ecosystem Services Data to Support Land Use Decision-Making
- 1. Using Canopy Goals and Ecosystem Services Data to Support Land Use Decision-Making The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2015 Partners in Community Forestry Conference November 18, 2015
- 2. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline 2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal - in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48% - prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
- 3. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline 2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal - in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48% - prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan - contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc. - GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition
- 4. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline 2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal - in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48% - prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan - contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc. - GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition 2009 Forest and Tree Canopy Coverage Study - 44% forest canopy and 8% tree canopy = 52% FTC
- 5. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline 2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal - in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48% - prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan - contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc. - GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition 2010 Comprehensive Code Update - implemented the strategies in the GI Plan to address forest fragmentation, species composition, and increase tree canopy coverage 2009 Forest and Tree Canopy Coverage Study - 52% FTC = 44% forest canopy and 8% tree canopy =
- 6. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline 2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal - in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48% - prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan - contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc. - GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition 2010 Comprehensive Code Update - implemented the strategies in the GI Plan to address forest fragmentation, species composition, and increase tree canopy coverage 2014 General Plan Update: 52% FTC goal - set a new canopy coverage goal of 52% to maintain the levels measured in 2009 - go update the Green Infrastructure Plan! 2009 Forest and Tree Canopy Coverage Study - 44% forest canopy and 8% tree canopy = 52% FTC
- 7. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2015 Green Infrastructure Plan Update (initiation) - 80 of 92 strategies have been implemented - update network, policies, and strategies of the 2005 GI Plan
- 8. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2015 Green Infrastructure Plan Update (initiation) - 80 of 92 strategies have been implemented - update network, policies, and strategies of the 2005 GI Plan 2015 Forest Fragmentation Study (preliminary) - in 2009, FTC was 49% core forests and 51% edge forests
- 9. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2015 Green Infrastructure Plan Update (initiation) - 80 of 92 strategies have been implemented - update network, policies and strategies of the 2005 GI Plan 2015 Forest Fragmentation Study (preliminary) - in 2009, FTC was 49% core forests and 51% edge forests 2015 Ecosystem Services Study - based solely on the $$ values of the 52% FTC - does not include the multitude of other values provided by streams, wetlands, and other ecosystem elements
- 10. ES Study Key Findings – Air Quality Benefits The county’s forest and tree canopy removes more than 5,100 metric tons of air-borne pollutants every year, a value worth $21 million annually. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Air pollution causes or worsens: • Asthma • Bronchitis • Emphysema • Heart conditions $$$ $$$
- 11. ES Study Key Findings – Water Quality Benefits Water pollution is reduced by the removal of 4.3 billion gallons of polluted runoff per year. A cost savings of $12.8 billion annually. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Water pollution is the main cause of decline of the Chesapeake Bay: • High nitrogen and phosphorus levels cause algae blooms that block sunlight • Low sunlight levels result in low oxygen levels BROAD CREEK PATUX ENTRIVER PATU X ENT RI VER MONTG OM ER Y COUNTY D IS TR IC T O F C O LU M BIA DIS TR IC T O F C OL UM B IA PIS C ATAWAY CREEK CHARLES COUNTY P O TO M A C RIVER COUNTY HOW ARD CALVERT COUNTY COUNTY ARUNDEL ANN E CH A RLE S CO U NT Y COUNTY FAIRFAX 27 7 6 22 41 21 18 10 20 38 34 30 13 16 3 36 9 31 5 1 26 25 33 23 4 24 42 17 11 2 19 37 14 8 32 35 39 28 12 15 40 29 Water Quality Fair Poor Very Poor $$$ $$$
- 12. ES Study Key Findings – GHG Benefits ABSORPTION: The forest and tree canopy absorbs 211,000 metric tons of carbon, a value of $16.6 million annually. STORAGE: The forest and tree canopy stores 5 million metric tons of carbon, worth $395 million. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to: • A warmer planet • Severe weather occurrences $$$ $$$
- 13. ES Study Key Findings – Cooler Communities Temperatures reduced by up to one degree Fahrenheit countywide. Local canopy coverage can reduce temperatures 9 to 13 degrees. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Cooler communities: • Considered more “livable” • Higher property values • Reduced crime rates oF oF
- 14. Possible Uses of the Ecosystem Services Study • Support the preservation and long-term conservation of forest and tree canopy • Assist in decision-making regarding stream retrofit and reforestation projects • Assist in the design of tree planting programs The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Editor's Notes
- #2: Why goals are important – can be used to drive policy decisions and change ordinances. What is the make up of the audience? Planners? Arborists? Engineers? Focus is on land use planning and working through this process, but these principles can be used at all levels of government and in any community.