How does iTree Canopy estimate Hydrological benefits?

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amertin
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:40 am

How does iTree Canopy estimate Hydrological benefits?

Post by amertin » Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:52 am

Hi,
I was wondering how Hydrological benefits are calculated in iTree Canopy v 7.0. Is there a paper I can reference as to how each of the parameters are calculated? Are hydrology benefits only calculated for cover classes designated as tree cover in the initial survey set up? How could I use iTree Canopy for an area outside of the US, would selecting a US county with a similar annual rainfall be a suitable substitution?

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

Re: How does iTree Canopy estimate Hydrological benefits?

Post by Erika.Teach » Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:56 am

Hello,

Currently there is not one document that describes the methods in the i-Tree Canopy model.

Below are links to papers we on the support team have been given that outline the hydrology methods in Canopy (despite what the title indicates):
http://www.itreetools.org/eco/resources ... ptions.pdf
http://www.itreetools.org/eco/resources ... iption.pdf

Other resources can be found here: https://www.itreetools.org/support

Concerning using i-Tree Canopy outside of the US, if you are able to identify a US state that has a similar climate, similar pollution removal rates and hydrological effects, then you could choose that state. You can view the pollution removal rates and hydrological effects and their associated monetary values in step three of the Canopy project set up process. Also in this step you can choose whether or not your project will be urban, rural, or both, and what currency to use in the report. If you are not able to match up your project location parameters with one of the US states then leave the default Available Locations in step three as United States of America.

Kind regards, Erika
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