Reevaluating how tree canopy cools the air and surfaces in cities at very high resolution

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Abstract

Trees mitigate urban heat, but the extent of cooling, particularly for air temperature, remains uncertain. Many studies report strong cooling using satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST), but this metric overestimates the cooling relevant to human health and comfort. Additionally, such studies often rely on single-variable, canopy-only models and moderate resolution data that has not been validated in densely built-up areas. These data and modeling issues may further inflate estimates of tree cooling efficiency. Using >675,000 mobile air temperature observations from 11 Northeastern U.S. cities, we found that tree-induced air cooling was significantly lower than LST cooling. Cooling efficiency was highest in areas with substantial existing canopy, challenging recent reports of strong cooling in low-canopy areas. Impervious surface cover and water bodies controlled local surface and air temperatures as much or more than vegetation. These findings highlight the importance of high-quality data and multipronged urban heat mitigation strategies, integrating clustered tree planting, impervious surface removal, and other complementary measures.

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