ABOUT AMERICAN FORESTS’ URBAN ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS OF
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
AMERICAN FORESTS, the nation’s oldest nonprofit
citizen conservation organization, is a leader in
the urban forestry movement. The organization
combines education, action, and research into
programs that improve the trees and forests in our
communities. AMERICAN FORESTS, working with
the Charlotte Tree Advisory Commission and
several Federal, State, local, and business
community partners, analyzed the effects of 17
years of changing land cover in Mecklenburg
County. The analysis covered more than 351,000
acres (549 square miles), including the City of
Charlotte and its rapidly developing suburbs. The
results demonstrate the environmental impacts of
tree loss on the cost of managing air quality and
storm water runoff, while providing local leaders
with important information for planning and
decision making.
The Charlotte Metropolitan Area is among the top ten fastest growing metro areas in the nation
— a 72% population growth since 1980 (U.S. Census Bureau). The environmental impact of
such growth is significant and the challenge to the community is how to manage growth while
protecting the environment. Using the data from the study, planners will have the tools they need
to manage, maintain, and balance the natural environment with the urban environment.
M AJOR FINDINGS
§
Mecklenburg County has 184,935 acres of tree canopy (53%) and 61,744 acres of
impervious surfaces (18%) — it has lost of more than 22 percent of its tree cover and 22
percent of its open space between 1984 and 2001.
§
Storm water retention capacity of the trees is 935 million cubic feet in Mecklenburg
County. Without trees, building storm water infrastructure to handle the increase in
runoff would cost approximately $1.87 billion ($2 per cubic foot).
§
Mecklenburg County’s urban forest removes 17.5 million pounds of air pollutants,
including harmful ozone, annually — a benefit worth $43.8 million.
If you are interested in developing or becoming involved in local initia tives to conserve tree
canopy or would like a speaker on this topic contact Rick Roti, Chairman of the Tree
Commission at 704-544-8636.