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CANOPY COVER AND EQUITY <br />Urban trees and vegetation offer a significant <br />countermeasure to the UHI effect. By providing <br />shade and facilitating evapotranspiration, trees <br />can lower surface temperatures by 20°F to 45°F <br />(11°C to 25°C) compared to areas without tree cover <br />(Loughner et al. 2012). Additionally, appropriately <br />placed trees can lower building temperatures and <br />reduce energy demand by up to 35% (EPA 2021). <br />The effectiveness of these cooling benefits depends <br />on the extent and distribution of canopy cover <br />across different urban areas. <br />Analysis of the City's census tracts reveals a <br />relationship between canopy cover and the severity <br />of heat islands. Heat severity is quantified on a scale <br />from 1 to 5, where 1 represents mild heat areas, and <br />5 signifies severe heat areas (Trust for Public Lands <br />2023). Figure 3-1 visualizes the overlap of heat <br />islands and canopy cover across the City. <br />The map highlights that while all tracts <br />experience UHI effects, those with lower canopy <br />cover tend to have increased heat island severity. <br />This underscores the importance of enhancing <br />urban tree canopy to mitigate heat island impacts. <br />By increasing canopy cover, cities can effectively <br />reduce temperatures, improve air quality, and <br />promote better overall public health. <br />140 1 CITY OF PLEASANTON URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN <br />Figure 3-1. Urban Heat Island and Canopy Cover <br />IN <br />1� <br />r <br />°' <br />'i <br />Heat Severity <br />Severe <br />Moderate to High <br />Moderate <br />Tree canopy <br />Mild to Moderate <br />Mild <br />— Analysis area <br />