:: Function ::
:: Calculations :: Data Collection :: Outputs ::
Both UFORE and CITYgreen 5.0 offer users a way to capture three qualities of the urban forest: structure, function (or ecological services), and value. Each application is really a grouping of smaller mathematical models based on urban forestry research. Although there are similarities between the two (in fact, CITYgreen 5.0 uses UFORE calculations for its own air pollution and carbon sequestration calculations), they do differ in the services they calculate, as well as how they translate these services to dollar values. The following compares their functionality:
Forest Structure and Service Calculations-- for more detail see methodology
| Calculation | UFORE |
CITYgreen
5.0 |
Notes |
| Forest Structure | yes |
yes |
UFORE and CITYgreen both require data collection and extrapolate other forest characteristics from this data With CITYgreen, spatial distribution is visually represented on the maps that the user creates in ArcGis |
| Carbon Sequestration | yes |
yes |
UFORE calculations used for both |
| Volatile Organic Compound Output | yes | no | Trees offgas VOCs,which can contribute to ozone formation, and UFORE calculates these emissions |
| Hourly Air Pollution Removal (Ozone, SO2, NO2, CO, Particulates) | yes |
yes | UFORE calculations used for both |
| Building (1-2 floors) Energy and Emission Reduction | yes |
yes | UFORE
is more comprehensive and calculates shading and windbreak benefits
in winter and summer (CITYgreen 5.0 only calculates cooling effects) |
| Pollen | yes |
no | UFORE
|
| Runoff Calculator | no |
yes | |
| Cool Roofs | no |
yes | CITYgreen
used research from the Lawrence Berkeley Labs from 17 cities |
| Tree Growth Forecasting | no |
yes | |
| Alternative Scenario Modeling | no | yes | See outputs |
Economic Translation-- for more detail see methodology
| Calculation | UFORE | CITYgreen 5.0* |
| Home Energy/Cool Roofs | NA | -Calculated based on estimated savings in cooling costs per house ( using energy bill), then extrapolated to site -Cool roofs impact calculated in dollar energy savings |
| Carbon Sequestration | Carbon values multiplied by marginal social cost to find economic benefit | Conversion value input by user (could be cost of scrubbers, or whatever user feels is appropriate |
| Air Pollution Removal | Calculated based on median externality values for each pollutant | See UFORE |
| Runoff Calculator | NA | Calculated based on the local construction costs of retaining the same amount of water. |
| Other | Compensatory value (i.e. replacement cost) for each tree is calculated based on Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers |
*These values can be modified to others that may be more locally appropriate.
