Open AccessBenefit-Cost Analysis of Modesto's Municipal Urban Forest
Author(s) -
E. Gregory McPherson,
James Simpson,
Paula J. Peper,
Qingfu Xiao
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.1999.033
Subject(s) - tree (set theory) , urban forest , stormwater , population , forestry , urban forestry , environmental science , geography , mathematics , surface runoff , ecology , sociology , demography , mathematical analysis , biology
This study answers the question: Do the accrued benefits from Modesto's urban forest justify an annual municipal budget that exceeds $2 million? Results indicate that the benefits residents obtain from Modesto's 91,179 public trees exceeded management costs by a factor of nearly 2. In fiscal year 1997-1998, Modesto spent $2.6 million for urban forestry ($14.36/resident, $28.77/tree), and 74% of this amount was for mature tree care. Total annual benefits from Modesto's urban forest were $4.95 million ($27.12/ resident, $54.33/tree). Net benefits for FY 1997- 1998 were $2,329,900 ($12.76/resident, $25.55/tree). Annual air-pollutant uptake was 154 metric tonnes (3.7 lb/tree), with an implied value of $1.48 million ($16/ tree). Aesthetics and other benefits had an estimated value of $1.5 million ($17/tree). Building shade and cooler summer temperatures attributed to street and park trees saved 110,133 MBtu, valued at $870,000 (122 kWh/tree, $10/ tree). Smaller benefits resulted from reductions in stormwater runoff (292,000 m3 or 845 gal/tree, $616,000 or S7/tree) and atmospheric carbon dioxide (13,900 t or 336 lb/tree, $460,000 or $5/tree). Due to the population's relatively even-aged structure and heavy reliance on mature Modesto ash for benefits, management strategies are needed that may reduce net benefits but increase diversity and stability.