Relationships between Urban Forest Patch Characteristics and Near-Ground Solar Radiation in Baltimore, MD

Abstract

Forest patches in urban areas perform multiple ecological functions that can aid in regulating microclimate, managing stormwater flows, and improving air quality. Many of these functions and services are driven by solar radiation inputs below the forest canopy. However, the relationships between near-ground solar radiation and urban forest patch characteristics are not well studied or understood. For this thesis, we estimated near-ground solar radiation in six forest patches in Baltimore, MD, USA using hemispherical photographs to calculate global site factor (GSF). In addition, we determined patch compactness, as well as the origin, slope, aspect, distance from edge, and degree of invasion at each sampling site. Results show that patch attributes affect solar radiation inputs, although the strength of the relationships between GSF and the studied patch characteristics vary between sites. The identified patterns in near-ground solar radiation can be used to inform effective conservation and management of urban forest patches.