Hi, I would like to do an analysis of shrubs and want to ask how are they assessed in i-Tree Eco.
I only found reports on composition and structure (leaf area and biomass of shrubs) and on pollution and weather (air quality improvement, air pollution flux, transpiration, avoided runoff). However, the reports on benefits (pollution removal, carbon storage, oxygen production) are only based on trees, right ??
Is there a possibility to have reports on the benefits of shrubs?
Thanks
Iulia
Analysis of shrubs
Moderators: i-Tree Support, i-Tree Team
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Jason.Henning
- i-Tree Team
- Posts: 344
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:45 am
Re: Analysis of shrubs
Hi Iulia,
There are two ways to assess shrubs in i-Tree Eco.
1. Perform a plot sample based assessment and turn on the "shrub data" option. This allows you to assess shrubs on the plot based on the species and the size of their crowns. The results for this method will only provide the air pollution removal related benefits of shrubs. The leaf area of shrubs will also be reported. If you measure any trees the air pollution benefits for trees and shrubs will be combined. To see an example of this type of project you can check of the "Grand Rapids" example project available under the "File" menu in Eco.
2. Treat your shrubs as if they were trees. If your shrub species are available in the i-Tree species list and they have woody stems at least 1cm in diameter you can measure them as if they were trees. This can be tedious and time consuming for multi-stem shrubs but it will provide you with the full range of ecosystem services that i-Tree Eco can estimate. You will want to verify that your shrub species are in the i-Tree Eco species list before you try this method and it would be worth testing ahead of time. You can view or download the current species list under the "View"menu in Eco.
Thanks,
Jason
There are two ways to assess shrubs in i-Tree Eco.
1. Perform a plot sample based assessment and turn on the "shrub data" option. This allows you to assess shrubs on the plot based on the species and the size of their crowns. The results for this method will only provide the air pollution removal related benefits of shrubs. The leaf area of shrubs will also be reported. If you measure any trees the air pollution benefits for trees and shrubs will be combined. To see an example of this type of project you can check of the "Grand Rapids" example project available under the "File" menu in Eco.
2. Treat your shrubs as if they were trees. If your shrub species are available in the i-Tree species list and they have woody stems at least 1cm in diameter you can measure them as if they were trees. This can be tedious and time consuming for multi-stem shrubs but it will provide you with the full range of ecosystem services that i-Tree Eco can estimate. You will want to verify that your shrub species are in the i-Tree Eco species list before you try this method and it would be worth testing ahead of time. You can view or download the current species list under the "View"menu in Eco.
Thanks,
Jason
A member of the i-Tree Team
Re: Analysis of shrubs
Hi,
I am considering the opportunity of analysing shrubs in a urban park area and I will probably choose the second option suggested by Jason (thanks!).
I found that some of these shrubs have been pruned in order to make them a box-like shape, like the ones in this place: https://goo.gl/maps/NcrCF4FQc33ZKXjj8
Do you think that iTree could estimate ecosystem services also in this case? The shape is certainly not similar to the one the shrub would have in a natural context...
Thanks in advance
Davide
I am considering the opportunity of analysing shrubs in a urban park area and I will probably choose the second option suggested by Jason (thanks!).
I found that some of these shrubs have been pruned in order to make them a box-like shape, like the ones in this place: https://goo.gl/maps/NcrCF4FQc33ZKXjj8
Do you think that iTree could estimate ecosystem services also in this case? The shape is certainly not similar to the one the shrub would have in a natural context...
Thanks in advance
Davide
-
Jason.Henning
- i-Tree Team
- Posts: 344
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:45 am
Re: Analysis of shrubs
Hi Davide,
If the shrubs are in the i-Tree Eco species list you should be able to get accurate estimates even if they have been heavily pruned. In i-Tree Eco you have the option to collect crown dimensions. You will make sure you turn this option on. In that case you measure things like the height and width of the shrub's crown (or leafy volume) and these measurement are used to adjust the models from average or natural tree shapes. This process can be time consuming if you have lots of shrubs and it is difficult to tell where one crown ends and the next begins. It is always worth trying to do a test with just a few shrubs to see how it will work for your specific application.
Thanks,
Jason
If the shrubs are in the i-Tree Eco species list you should be able to get accurate estimates even if they have been heavily pruned. In i-Tree Eco you have the option to collect crown dimensions. You will make sure you turn this option on. In that case you measure things like the height and width of the shrub's crown (or leafy volume) and these measurement are used to adjust the models from average or natural tree shapes. This process can be time consuming if you have lots of shrubs and it is difficult to tell where one crown ends and the next begins. It is always worth trying to do a test with just a few shrubs to see how it will work for your specific application.
Thanks,
Jason
A member of the i-Tree Team