Large-scale tree survey happening across Southampton this summer
Environmental Science students from the University of Southampton and staff from Southampton City Council are undertaking a large-scale tree survey across Southampton to discover the benefits that trees provide to communities living within the city.
Research has shown that trees can help to improve urban environments by reducing surface water flooding, improving air quality, maintaining comfortable summer temperatures and supporting wildlife, making cities like Southampton pleasant places to live.
i-Tree studies can now put a practical value on the urban forest. It has already been successfully carried out in cities such as London, Edinburgh and Torbay.
The Southampton i-Tree survey (from 11 July to 5 August) involves 11 University students, the Council, Treeconomics, and the Forestry Commission. The survey is collecting information on the current condition of trees and woodlands within the city. This will help the City Council to undertake appropriate management to safeguard these important benefits.
Councillor Christopher Hammond, Cabinet Member for Transformation Projects at Southampton City Council, said: “Trees don't just look nice, but serve an important function in our city. They filter and clean our air, by removing many of the man-made pollutants that we breathe. The i-Tree study is an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of just how valuable they are to us, and why we should be taking greater care of them.”
Dr Kate Schreckenberg, from the University’s Centre for Environmental Science, said: “Undertaking the i-Tree inventory is giving our students an invaluable opportunity to apply their ecological survey, team-working and communication skills on a project that will contribute to better management of the city’s tree resources.”
The survey involves taking measurements of trees in approximately 400 1/10-acre sample plots distributed throughout Southampton. This information includes: tree type, size, crown coverage and density together with overall health. These measurements do not harm the trees in any way and only trees within the plot will be measured.
If you would like to find out more information about the survey, please contact Emma Mutch, i-Tree Project Coordinator, on 023 8059 5389 or i-tree@soton.ac.uk.