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The Impact of Deforestation on Urban Air Quality

Deforestation is often associated with distant places like the Amazon, but it’s important to understand that it’s not just some faraway issue. In reality, deforestation happens whenever there’s a massive removal of trees, and this can occur anywhere, including in and around our cities.  This widespread tree loss directly impacts urban life, particularly concerning the […]

Deforestation is often associated with distant places like the Amazon, but it’s important to understand that it’s not just some faraway issue. In reality, deforestation happens whenever there’s a massive removal of trees, and this can occur anywhere, including in and around our cities. 

This widespread tree loss directly impacts urban life, particularly concerning the air quality in cities. The rapid rate of deforestation, as reported by the World Wildlife Fund, highlights how 18.7 million acres of forest are stripped from the Earth each year [1]. This is equivalent to losing an area about the size of 14 football fields every minute, a fact that underscores the concern over the impact of deforestation on urban air quality.

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Deforestation and air quality: Dublin case

The impact of deforestation on urban air quality was studied in Dublin[2], home to 1.5 million people. The researchers from University College Dublin used special air quality sensors to see how trees affect PM2.5 levels – the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that comes from vehicle exhaust, brake dust, and tire particles. Trees help by catching these particles, naturally.

They compared two places on Drumcondra Road Lower: one with a row of trees and another with no vegetation. The study was conducted during different times – rush hours with lots of traffic and quieter times.

deforestation and air quality

Study shows the impact of deforestation on air quality in Dublin

The findings were quite telling. During non-rush hours, air pollution was the same in both areas. But, during rush hours, the area with trees had significantly less PM2.5 compared to the area without trees. This clearly shows the huge impact of deforestation on air quality in a big city: With trees, the air is cleaner.

Interestingly, the study also estimated that the trees could remove about 3 kg of PM2.5 every year.

Final thoughts: The impact of deforestation on urban air quality

The study shows how deforestation can negatively impact air quality, especially in busy city environments. While the study gives us valuable insights, it also points out the need for more research to understand better how wind patterns interact with trees in reducing air pollution. Overall, these findings stress that trees are vital in improving urban air quality and should be a key part of strategies to combat air pollution.

[1] https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/effects-of/deforestation

[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210670720305771