Urban Forest Effects Model - UFORE

Contacts: David J. Nowak, Daniel E. Crane, Jack C. Stevens, and Robert E. Hoehn III

Background

The UFORE computer model (a.k.a. i-Tree ECO) was developed to help managers and researchers quantify urban forest structure and its functions. UFORE is designed to use standardized field data from randomly located plots, and local hourly air pollution and meteorological data to quantify urban forest structure and numerous urban forest effects for cities across the world. The model calculates numerous attributes about the urban forest, including:

Species composition
Diameter distribution 
Tree health
Species diversity
Exotic vs. native species distribution

The model also calculated various forest functions and values related to tree effects on:

Air pollution
Greenhouse gases and global warming
Building energy use

This model is currently available through i-Tree. The program, which was originally written in SAS, is currently being converted, in cooperation with the Davey Resource Group, to a Windows® based code. New analytic modules are and will be developed in the future, including GIS-based mapping and analysis capabilities.

Field Data Collection Manuals (UFORE manual available at i-Tree)
Presents information of how to establish plots and measure variables that can be used to quantify urban forest structure, functions, and values. Manual for urban FIA (2mb- pdf) plots is complete.

Tree/shrub species codes - (used for both manuals) are available in two formats.

Tree/shrub species code list as pdf

Tree/shrub species codes list as .XLS

Funding Sources: USDA Forest Service's State and Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Program; Forest Health Monitoring; and Northern Research Station; the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council; and the Texas Forest Service

Participants

NRS Partners

• David J. Nowak, Project Leader / Research Forester
• Daniel E. Crane, Information Technology Specialist
• Jack C. Stevens, Forester
• Robert E. Hoehn, III; Biological Science Technician

External Partners

• Scott Maco, Davey Resource Group
• Greg Ina, Davey Resource Group
• Mike Binkley, Davey Resource Group
• Lianghu Tian Davey Resource Group
• Ted Endreny, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Jun Wang, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry