microclimatic effects of a large urban forest on the surrounding thermal environment in cities of the hot arid zone

The cooling effect of vegetation is a well known phenomenon.  Trees do not only provide shade by intercepting solar radiation but also soak up groundwater, which cools the surrounding air through evapotranspiration from the leaves. 

The purpose of this study is to give a detailed quantitative investigation into the effects of an urban forest on the surrounding thermal environment of the central business district in a desert city.  Two approaches where adopted in conducting this research.  In an early phase measurements were carried out with hourly values of air temperature and relative humidity to study the temperature differences within and around the boundaries of an oasis. 

In a later phase numerical computer modeling using ENVI-MET was used to prepare a climatic map of the study area.  Air Temperature differences between the center of the oasis and the center of the CBD were found to fall in the range between 6 to 7 ºC.  The paper concludes with guidelines for urban development of the study area.

Access/download the full paper (word document, 4mb)