Neighborhood-Scale Urban Forest Structure and Health Inventory as Indicators of Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience: The Case of Chatham, Chicago

Abstract

Urban forest inventories are vital for understanding the ecological and social functions of neighborhood-scale arboreal systems, especially in communities experiencing climate-related stress. This study integrates field sampling, and high-resolution (1m x 1m) LiDAR data to establish a comprehensive urban tree inventory for the Chatham neighborhood in Chicago, a community historically burdened by flooding, noise pollution, heat vulnerability, and limited green space. Findings demonstrate that trees in Chatham are predominantly tall, with an average height of 19 meters, and that canopy coverage constitutes approximately 17% of the neighborhood, higher than previous city estimates but still considerably below the recommended 40% urban canopy benchmark. Field assessments further indicate that crown vigor, as well as the health of leaves, trunks, twigs, and other woody components (including bark and branches), are adversely affected, suggesting substantial biotic and abiotic stress factors, which underscores the need for proactive urban forest management like regular tree inspections, inventories, removal or pruning of dead branches, and effective storm preparedness and emergency response. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of targeted planting initiatives in areas with sparse tree cover and of implementing neighborhood-specific greening strategies to enhance climate resilience.