Assessing the Tree Canopy in Jefferson County, WV Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory

Tree Canopy Assessment QuestionsAnswers How much tree canopy do we have? How much tree canopy could we have? Who “owns” the tree canopy? What is the distribution of the tree canopy?

Approach High resolution Object based >95% accuracy Realistic representation Land Cover Mapping Summary statistics Scalable Relevant TC Metrics Reports Database tables Spreadsheet Maps Products

Tree Canopy Assessment Classes Existing TC Possible TC Impervious Vegetation

Leveraging Existing Investments Buildings Transportation LiDARImagery

Comparison to National Datasets National Land Cover Dataset National Land Cover Dataset TC Land Cover TC Land Cover 38% 30% Color Infrared Aerial Imagery Color Infrared Aerial Imagery TC Estimates Derived from 2007 aerial imagery, 1m resolution Derived from 2001 satellite imagery, 30m resolution

Land Cover Metrics

County TC Metrics acres of land (excludes water) acres of Existing TC acres of Possible TC that is grass/shrub acres of Possible TC that is impervious acres are not suitable for tree canopy (building, water, and transportation)

Municipal Analysis

Municipal TC Metrics

Zoning Analysis

Zoning TC Metrics

Urban Growth Center Analysis

Urban Growth Center TC Metrics

Hydrologic Basin Analysis

Hydrologic Basin TC Metrics

Slope Analysis DEM Old Slope Classes New Slope Classes

Slope TC Metrics New Slope Classes Old Slope Classes

Blue Ridge Mountains Analysis

Comparison to Other Cities