SIAC: A tool for the spatially-explicit assessment and classification of the performance and condition of urban forests as nature-based solutions

SIAC is the prototype of an integrated toolbox for a first, initial assessment of the condition of urban forests and the ecosystem services and benefits they provide, using comparatively simple data. The basic objects analysed by SIAC are the individual tree and the tree canopy cover.

SIAC includes functions for modelling tree canopy cover from tree cadastre data (or from point coordinates of individual trees), for assessing tree species diversity and biodiversity, for modelling connectivity, and for estimating the services provided by urban forests. This service assessment conceptually follows the ecosystem service approach, so that SIAC focusses on the calculation of selected ecosystem services based on defined potentials. At the moment, the focus is on air pollution control, carbon storage and cooling potential.

SIAC aims to support practitioners and decision-makers in evaluating and maximising the ecosystem services provided by urban forests.

This prioritisation is intended to position SIAC as a tool for addressing selected key topics in the IUCN Urban Nature Index, in particular topic areas 3.1 (Vegetation cover), 4.2 (Species diversity and biodiversity), 3.5 (Connectivity), and 5.3 (Human health). In this way, SIAC is intended to help promote understanding of the services provided by urban forests and thus strengthen public appreciation of urban forests.

In addition, SIAC builds on principles developed in a property-based typology of urban forests as nature-based solutions. This typology is intended to provide a more systematic and integrative understanding of urban forests and nature-based solutions. Through the systematic perspective of the typologies, SIAC will also enable a comparison of the conditions for urban forests and the benefits of trees in different communities and case study sites. 

The Spatial Impact Assessment and Classification Tool - SIAC - has been developed as a plug-in for QGIS version 3.26 or higher and is designed as an integrated toolbox.

What is it good for?

To maximise the benefits of trees, it is important to know our urban trees well, e.g. how many trees are there? Where are they located? How are they connected to each other? How much benefit do they provide? Gaining knowledge about the current state of urban forests is important for their management and for raising awareness of them.

What is the context?

Trees have many benefits for our cities and therefore also for us. They help us to increase biodiversity in our cities. They help us to combat climate change by binding and storing carbon. They make our air healthier by removing both gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. On hot days, trees help to cool down our cities. Have you ever noticed that you feel a little better when you see trees from your window? Do you feel more relaxed and better when you have visited a forest?


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