Chicago's Evolving Urban Forest: An Initial Report of the Chicago Urban ForestClimate Project

摘要

The Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project (CUFCP) was initiated to researchquestions regarding the role of urban vegetation in environmental management. Findings will assist urban forestry programs to enhance environmental quality, energy efficiency, and civic beauty across the United States. The CUFCP study area consists of three sectors: Chicago, Cook County (exclusive of Chicago), and DuPage County. Together, these sectors cover nearly 1,300 square miles and contain about 6 million people. This initial report describes work completed during the first year of the three-year study, as well as plans for future research. To date, our research has been aimed at understanding the region's natural and cultural history, the evolution of its urban forest, and current policy, management, and environmental issues meriting urban forest research.