Air Temperature Reduction by Urban Trees at Selected Parking Areas in UNIMAS Campus

• Main Author: Noor Amanina, Binti Kasilawati
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 2017
• Subjects: S Agriculture (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/27838/2/NOOR%20AMANINA.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/27838/

Appropriate tree selection of urban trees is very significant as it need to fulfill its multiple functions and benefits. The most significant benefits are the lowering of the air temperature while providing sufficient shades are some of important elements that need to be considered when planting trees around parking area. This study was carried out at five different parking area in UNIMAS namely, CTF 2, FRST, FSS, Chancellory and DETAR. The assessments include tree DBH, height, crown diameter, planting distance and stomata density in order to measure temperature reduction, relative humidity and light intensity. Generally no distinct relationships were observed for all the physical parameters of the tree species and the amount of air temperature reduced. P.pinnata tree planted at DETAR parking area recorded a maximum of 2.3°C temperature reduction while the same tree species planted at Chancellory only reduced temperature by 1.6°C. Temperature reduction of 1.2°C were recorded by F.decipiens trees at FRST parking areas while temperature reduction of 0.7°C were recorded for M.ferrea trees at CTF2. T.pentaphylla trees planted at FSS parking area only reduced temperature by 0.5°C. Results showed that trees with larger DBH size does not necessarily have larger crown diameter, hence larger temperature reduction. The difference in results obtained could probably be influenced by factors such as the age, type of the planting materials, years of planting, previous maintenance activities and management, planting distance and other environmental factors.In order to maximize the multiple benefits, management of the trees such as schedule maintenance application should be carried out. More trees like P. pinnata with round crown shape should be planted at the parking areas with sufficient planting space and can extensively reduce the amount of urban heat island effect. The data collected will be useful for future management purposes.