Gathering tree population

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jareshenkoff
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2020 7:42 pm

Gathering tree population

Post by jareshenkoff » Tue Mar 03, 2020 7:45 pm

Hi,
My name is Jared ans I am a graduate student completing my Master's in Environmental Management. I am wondering if there is any way to gather an accurate tree population size through the program within have to take sample survey out in the field? Can anyone help me answer this?

Thanks
Erika.Teach
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2016 2:59 pm

Re: Gathering tree population

Post by Erika.Teach » Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:59 am

Hello,

It is not possible to determine tree population size using any of the i-Tree software tools without inputting data gathered in the field. It is possible to estimate tree cover without collecting data in the field using the online i-Tree Canopy tool, https://canopy.itreetools.org/

Erika
jareshenkoff
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2020 7:42 pm

Re: Gathering tree population

Post by jareshenkoff » Sun Mar 08, 2020 5:06 pm

Thanks Erika! I am just starting and the region I am focussing on is over 60,000acres so it is not possible to gather on-the-ground data for the entire region. If I did canopy coverage can I input the classification of tree species within my study area in order to gain a more accurate depiction co2 sequestered and stored, including a more accuate valuation for all pertinant ecosystem services offered?
Jason.Henning
i-Tree Team
Posts: 340
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:45 am

Re: Gathering tree population

Post by Jason.Henning » Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:08 am

Hi Jared,
Unfortunately there is no way to account for species directly with i-Tree Canopy. When you select a county during project set-up the underlying models do use local mixes of percent deciduous and evergreen in the estimates of air pollution, (see methods here, https://www.itreetools.or ... ptions.pdf). Similarly, carbon removal rates use localized rates calculated from US Forest Service plots which would account for species mixes on those plots, (see methods here, https://www.itreetools.org/documents/55 ... ration.pdf). Beyond that, if you have more localized pollution removal rates or carbon sequestration rates you can input those into i-Tree Canopy.
If accounting for exact species composition is of importance the only real method to do that at this point involves assessment of species on the ground. In that case you may want to consider an i-Tree Eco plot-based project. Such a project requires significantly more effort and time but is commonly used for areas 60,000 acres in size and larger.
Thanks for your interest in i-Tree.
-Jason
A member of the i-Tree Team
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