Healthy cities: How trees save the climate and our well-being!

Healthy cities: How trees save the climate and our well-being!

In the age of climate change, the importance of forests in urban areas is becoming increasingly important. How uni-freiburg.de reported, dense canopies offer significant benefits such as reducing heat stress and improving the microclimate. This is particularly important because urban areas are often affected by heatwaves. The shade provided by trees helps stabilize the microclimate and reduces health risk factors caused by extreme temperatures.

In addition, air quality is improved by the trees' large leaf surface area, which contributes to the deposition of fine dust. Despite these positive aspects, there are also challenges. Less light reaching the forest floor can hinder the growth of medicinal plants. The increased moisture content in forests also promotes the appearance of ticks, which can increase the risk of Lyme disease.

Diversity of tree species and their effects

A relevant study has shown that tree species diversity is important for both health and well-being. Although these positive effects are weak, they promote biological diversity and people's perception of a healthy forest. Research teams like the Freiburg team led by Scherer-Lorenzen are also investigating the positive effects of soundscapes in structurally rich forests, which can contribute to better recovery.

The findings of these studies offer political decision-makers and forest managers valuable strategies for optimizing forest design. The health benefits depend on local priorities. In urban areas, the focus should be on reducing heat stress and air pollution, while in rural areas the focus should be on combating Lyme disease and promoting medicinal plants.

The role of urban trees

Loud science.orf.at Trees are not only an aesthetic element in urban areas, but also crucial for the health of the residents. They filter fine dust from the air, which is particularly important for heavily built-up areas. Certain tree species such as elms, magnolias and silver birches have proven to be particularly effective in reducing fine dust. Although coniferous trees can also filter fine dust, they are less suitable for urban areas due to their winter properties.

The city of Graz is faced with the challenge of creating sufficient space for trees. Renovations to the root areas are planned to improve the atmosphere of the city. The selection of trees is also made with the aim of optimizing air quality and sustainably promoting the urban climate. In order to counteract the damage caused by road salt in winter, new techniques for improving the root areas, which come from Stockholm, were implemented in Keplerstrasse.

Green spaces as a living space

A study by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) showed that green spaces with a high number of trees are important for protection against extreme weather and for providing recreational spaces in cities. kit.edu emphasizes the positive effects of trees on the microclimate, rainwater infiltration and people's well-being. An increase in tree cover by at least 30 percent could significantly reduce the number of extreme heat hours and reduce the effects of flooding.

The FutureBioCity project analyzes how the population chooses public green spaces and the importance of tree structure and composition. Although the connection between tree species diversity and well-being has not yet been comprehensively proven, it does benefit the overall quality of life of city residents. The integration of urban forests is therefore a crucial factor in successfully meeting the challenges of climate change.