city-tree-soil

In the City-Tree-Soil project, the Federal Research Centre for Forestry (BFW), the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) and the University of Innsbruck are investigating the growth conditions of urban trees in Vienna and Innsbruck. Citizen scientists (schools and the general public) are responsible for recording the growth in thickness. In addition, soil carbon is being measured in both cities.

What are the aims of the project?

The project aims to answer three research questions.

1. Quantification of the impact of urban tree stands on the growth, carbon storage, water storage and infiltration capacity of urban soils.
2. Contributions to determining the carbon balance for the urban areas of Vienna and Innsbruck.
3. Communicating the importance of urban trees for humans and the microclimate, and the necessary functions of the soil for this purpose, to society.

How can you participate in research?

Schools and the general public are encouraged to measure the growth of specially selected trees as often and regularly as possible. This is done by reading a value on a scale (dentrometer) attached to the tree. The value is entered into a form on a smartphone using a QR code and sent. No personal data is collected.