Abstract
A healthy urban tree canopy provides ecological services, impacts humans’ quality of life, and generates economic benefits. As the urban tree canopy is degraded and removed, the loss of these benefits often translates into environmental, human-health, and economic costs. In Asheville, North Carolina, development is a double-edged sword—construction of new residential housing is required to support the city’s growing population, however, this construction usually requires removal of trees and their associated natural ecosystems. Qualitative data was collected, through surveys and interviews, surrounding how Asheville residents perceive and value the urban tree canopy. Most survey and interview participants greatly value Asheville’s urban trees and are concerned about these trees in the face of development. Sustainable development presents a great opportunity to allow both development and preservation of trees to occur in a way that equally values the local environment, people, and economy. Opportunities to protect and support the urban tree canopy are provided as a call to action for individuals, community groups, private businesses, and local government.
How to Cite
Fouts, A., (2022) “The Urban Tree Canopy: An Opportunity for Sustainable Development”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 35(1).
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