Urban forest of Dayton, Ohio: A preliminary assessment

Preliminary measurement of the characteristics of Dayton's vegetation configuration is provided in a context of the city's neighborhoods and land uses. Results show that 58% of the city's land is not covered with artificial surfaces, and that 37% (almost 2500 ha) of the non-surfaced land is covered with tree crowns. The city has nearly 2 km² of exposed soil. Only single and two-family residential land use has more area with tree cover than grass cover, but this land use category also has the greatest available space for increasing tree cover. Wide variations in land cover characteristics exist throughout the city and across its land uses. Results indicate a great potential for increasing tree-related benefits through broadened urban forestry management.