COVER ASSESSMENT, TREE BENEFITS REPORT AND LANDSCAPE EVALUATION FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND EXPANSION OF THE NORTHERN AND NORTHEASTERN VEGETATIVE BARRIER OF THE NATIONAL ETHNOGRAPHIC PARK ”ROMULUS VUIA”

Abstract

This study was initiated in the context of the initiative for the restoration and expansion of the northern and northeastern vegetation barrier of the Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park. The aim of the study is to justify the need for the expansion and restoration of the vegetation barrier by investigating historical data regarding its structure, the current situation of existing trees, assessing the surrounding landscape, and analyzing the ecological, social, and economic benefits brought about by an increased presence of trees in a territory. To assess the current and potential scenarios of tree coverage and associated benefits, the online tool i-Tree Canopy is integrated, quantifying ecosystem functions, including economic and pollution sequestration perspectives. This tool is used in scientific research for evaluating vegetation coverage and other land cover classes, given its efficiency in facilitating assessments using aerial imagery. Two areas were considered: Zone 1 (Tetarom Industrial Park + National Ethnographic Museum Park) and Zone 2 (Tetarom Industrial Park) - analyzing 1000 points for Zone 1 and 500 points for Zone 2. The conclusions indicate that i-Tree Canopy plays a significant role in studies related to vegetation coverage and land use in urban environments. The use of i-Tree Canopy contributes significantly to the sustainable management of green spaces and provides relevant data regarding the environmental benefits brought by a potential development of the vegetation barrier in the studied area.

Keywords

• i-tree, assessment, landscape architecture, urban landscape