Project Title

Assessment of Ecosystem Services in the Raleigh Urban Greenway System

Project Description

Urban forests provide essential ecosystem services to large numbers of people and play an increasingly vital role in controlling air pollution, moderating city temperatures, providing recreation opportunities, and even creating biodiversity habitat as cities expand across the southeastern United States. However, urban forest services are not always equitably distributed across neighborhoods. This project will examine and quantify the ecosystem services provided by the Raleigh urban greenway system. It will also assess any disparities across different socioeconomic neighborhoods.

Principal Investigators

• Meredith Martin, director
• Jennifer Richmond-Bryant
• Zakiya Leggett
• Kelly Oten

Expected Outcomes

• Benefits for users of the Raleigh urban greenway system, urban forestry managers across the Southeast and community members in Raleigh neighborhoods of all socioeconomic levels
• Greater scientific understanding of how urban forests provide ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity
• First-ever assessment of whether and how ecosystem services are distributed equitably along the greenway
• Targeted, actionable management recommendations to improve ecosystem service delivery across neighborhoods
• Expanded public awareness of the role urban forests and greenways play in community well-being

Research Methods

• Assess ecosystem services in the Raleigh urban greenway system
• Quantify spatial connectivity and canopy cover across Raleigh’s urban forest
• Apply an environmental justice framework to compare ecosystem service delivery among diverse neighborhoods along the greenway
• Develop recommendations to improve ecosystem service provisioning across neighborhoods connected by the greenway

About McIntire-Stennis

The McIntire-Stennis program, a unique federal-state partnership, cultivates and delivers forestry and natural resource innovations for a better future. By advancing research and education that increases the understanding of emerging challenges and fosters the development of relevant solutions, the program has ensured healthy, resilient forests and communities and an exceptional natural resources workforce since 1962.