Poster Abstract Details
Vegetation patterns in an urbanizing metropolitan area: socio-economic drivers and effects on carbon storage and water flows - (published)
Author(s):
Karis Puruncajas
Affiliation:
University of Washington
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic Area:
Evaluating changes to ecosystem goods and services along urban-rural gradients
Abstract Text:
A number of ecosystem services are provided by plants: biomass stores carbon, while the canopy stores rainfall. Vegetative communities are significantly altered with urbanization: impervious surfaces limit available growing space, chronic stress conditions and land management preferences and activities alter plant community composition. These changes influence vegetation structure, which in turn affects the provision of ecosystem services. Given that residential properties constitute the majority of land in metropolitan areas, household land management practices can substantially affect ecosystem services. At the same time, implementing environmental management plans on residential lands is challenging due to the large number and diversity of homeowners involved. This project aims to understand how land management practices and behaviors of households across different socioeconomic groups affect vegetation function. I focus on carbon storage (plant biomass) and hydrological function, specifically rainfall interception and canopy storage. The primary objectives of my research are: (1) quantify the spatial patterns of vegetation on residential lands across an urban gradient (2) assess the relative influence of socio-economic factors on residential urban vegetation structure, specifically carbon stock and (3) assess the influence of urban residential vegetation patterns on subsurface and overland water flow, through rainwater interception and canopy storage. I will combine land cover data sets derived from LandSat imagery and field surveys of woody vegetation structure to characterize how these two ecosystem services vary across the urban fabric. This information will inform agencies aiming to increase household support for maintaining green spaces for stormwater management and carbon storage goals.
