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Urban Tree Canopy Reduces Heat-Related Mortality by 39% in European Cities

Iungman T, Cirach M, Marando F

Summary

9.4/10

Urban trees cut heat deaths by 39% in European cities, with the first 15% of tree cover providing 70% of the benefit.

Key Findings

1

39% mortality reduction at 30% canopy

2

First 15% cover gives 70% benefit

3

Platanus and Tilia most effective species

description

Original Abstract

Analysis of 93 European cities (2015-2025) shows that 30% tree canopy cover reduces summer heat-related mortality by 39%. The cooling effect is nonlinear: the first 15% of cover provides 70% of the benefit. Platanus and Tilia species provided the greatest per-tree cooling due to crown density and transpiration rates.

urban-forestry public-health heat-mitigation
London plane
eco

London plane

The London plane, or sometimes hybrid plane, Platanus × hispanica, is a tree in the genus Platanus. It is often known by the synonym Platanus × acerifolia, a later name. It is a hybrid of Platanus orientalis and Platanus occidentalis.

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