University of Victoria researchers are experimenting with various types of soil and tree-planting practises to protect people and combat extreme heatwaves in Vancouver.
This new project is one of the five B.C. climate solutions research projects receiving $180,000 by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solution (PICS) over the next three years.
“Our overarching goal is to reduce the heat island and effect, and reduce the extreme temperatures that we’re seeing in Vancouver,” says UVic Mechanical Engineering Prof. Caterina Valeo. “It’s been shown that a single tree can actually modify the local micro-climate, making the vicinity noticeably cooler.”
UVic will be joined by University of Calgary researchers to come up with an ideal combination to boost trees’ benefits to the climate and to society.
Concrete, asphalt and vehicle emissions combine to create urban heat islands, but trees have been shown to reduce the urban surface temperature through shading, according to PICS. This is done through the channeling of air currents and through trees’ evapotranspiration, when the water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere.
“The path forward is not without barriers,” said Sylvie Spraakman, senior water resources manager for the City of Vancouver. “One big challenge that we run into is that the City of Vancouver is already very developed and it’s difficult to find the space to plant new trees. Trees are seen as the ‘nice to have’ and not the ‘absolutely necessary.’ The issue is transforming the narrative to one which stresses that urban forests are essential for adapting to climate change.”
Results from the project will be used to develop guidelines and policies in Vancouver for designing, monitoring, operating and maintaining a type of tree planting called trenches. Vancouver will also use the project’s findings to create other strategies to reduce urban heat islands both now and in the future.
Watafiti wa Chuo Kikuu cha Victoria wanafanya majaribio na aina mbalimbali za udongo na mbinu za kupanda miti ili kuwalinda watu na kupambana na mawimbi ya joto kali huko Vancouver. Mradi huu mpya ni moja ya miradi mitano ya B.C. Utafiti wa hali ya hewa wa kimataifa unaendelea na mradi wa utafiti wa hali ya hewa wa Pacific Institute for Climate Solution (PICS) ambao unatarajiwa kufanikiwa katika miaka mitatu ijayo. "Lengo letu kuu ni kupunguza kisiwa cha joto na athari, na kupunguza joto kali ambalo tunaona huko Vancouver", anasema Profesa wa Uhandisi wa Mashine wa UVic Caterina Valeo. "Imeonyeshwa kwamba mti mmoja unaweza kubadilisha hali ya hewa ya ndani, na kufanya mazingira ya karibu kuwa baridi zaidi. "" UVIC itajiunga na watafiti wa Chuo Kikuu cha Calgary kuja na mchanganyiko bora wa kuongeza faida za miti kwa hali ya hewa na jamii. """ Asphalt, saruji na uzalishaji wa magari huunganisha kuunda visiwa vya joto vya mijini, lakini miti imeonyeshwa kupunguza joto la uso wa mijini kupitia kivuli, kulingana na PICS. Hii hufanywa kupitia njia ya mtiririko wa hewa na kupitia evapotranspiration ya miti, wakati maji yanapohamishwa kutoka ardhini hadi angahewa. "Njia ya mbele si bila vizuizi", alisema Sylvie Spraakman, meneja mwandamizi wa rasilimali za maji kwa Jiji la Vancouver. <unk>Jaribio moja kubwa ambalo tunakutana nalo ni kwamba Jiji la Vancouver tayari limeendelea sana na ni vigumu kupata nafasi ya kupanda miti mipya. Miti inaonekana kama 'nzuri kuwa na' na si 'hakika muhimu.'Sehemu ni kubadilisha hadithi kwa moja ambayo inasisitiza kwamba misitu ya mijini ni muhimu kwa kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa. matokeo kutoka mradi itatumiwa kuendeleza miongozo na sera katika Vancouver kwa ajili ya kubuni, ufuatiliaji, uendeshaji na kudumisha aina ya kupanda miti aitwaye trenches. Vancouver pia itatumia matokeo ya mradi huo kuunda mikakati mingine ya kupunguza visiwa vya joto vya mijini sasa na katika siku zijazo.