Project Results

Rapid assessments of the change in ecosystem services derived from coarse woody vegetation were performed for three municipalities (San Juan, Ponce, Mayagüez) in the island of Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The assessments used two approaches (fine-scale and landscape-level) using computer models within the suite of i-Tree tools (i-Tree Canopy and i-Tree Eco) developed by the US Forest Service. The fine-scale approach evaluated services using ground forest measurements in selected San Juan localities and the landscape approach evaluated services in San Juan, Ponce and Mayagüez using photo interpretation of remotely sensed imagery. Here we present a highlight of the findings of these analyses followed by general recommendations based on results and past experience with urban forest monitoring by the research group. While we are confident in the methodologies used, there are inherent assumptions in the field and modeling approaches. Therefore, the results presented here must be interpreted as estimates with a range of uncertainty rather than absolute values.

About This Project

A long-term goal of this project has been to evaluate variation in ecosystem services and disservices provided by the residential trees of different locations within the Río Piedras watershed (San Juan, PR). Due to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Irma and María, we are now using this as an opportunity to document the immediate impacts of these events on residential vegetation and the implications of these changes to the provision of urban ecosystem services.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Urban trees provide benefits crucial for our wellbeing, some of which are more important to urban residents than others. Over the past years our research team has been studying social drivers of yard vegetation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Doing so, we have identified some of the most crucial services for residents and city stakeholders, such as temperature reduction, food provision, ornamental value, oxygen production, pollution removal and flood mitigation. For this last component of our investigation, we are using freely available peer-reviewed software developed by USDA Forest Service i-Tree Eco to quantify and valuate the services that yard vegetation provides to us all and document some disservices that might be limiting the establishment of urban trees on residential land.

What is the significance of this project?

The island of Puerto Rico is facing social and ecological challenges that can be addressed to some extent by improving the urban form. Economic crisis, hurricanes, vector borne diseases, heat waves, urban flooding are our new reality. Green infrastructure provides a realistic alternative to cope with some stressors by providing needed services to improve wellbeing and increase resilience. Evaluating and documenting beneficial and problematic traits of our urban green infrastructure can help us understand, design, plan and manage our green spaces to provide us with the functions we need to have healthy cities. Increasing our understanding of potential loss of ecosystem services due to hurricanes impact can inform management decisions and restoration efforts on our urban environment.

What are the goals of the project?

A long-term goal of this project has been to evaluate variation in ecosystem services and disservices provided by the residential trees of different locations within the Río Piedras watershed (San Juan, PR). Due to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Irma and María, we are now using this as an opportunity to document the immediate impacts of these events on residential vegetation and the implications of these changes to the provision of urban ecosystem services. Funds will support this research which needs a quick response following extreme events and will also provide stipends to students who have lost their source of income due to Hurricanes Irma and María.