Plants such as trees and grasses help hold the soil in place. Soil erosion is a serious problem in urban areas due to the loss of vegetation from construction, neglect, and/or overuse of surfaces in public recreation and gathering places. …
Do trees and other vegetation help reduce urban-water runoff?
Trees and other vegetation in urban areas considerably reduce urban-water runoff. As rain falls upon vegetation, it clings to the rough surfaces of leaves, branches, and trunks. This is called interception. Some of the water evaporates back to the atmosphere. …
Urban Forests: The Benefits Outweigh the Costs
Trees are an important part of our communities, but tree planting, maintenance and protection require an investment of resources, including time and money. Are the benefits that trees afford our communities greater than their costs? The answer is yes. A …
Urban Forests Improve Water Quality
Waterways and lakes in and near urban areas can be polluted by soil erosion and water runoff that may contain fertilizers and pesticides from landscapes, oil, and sewage. Trees and vegetation can help reduce water quality problems in communities by …