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Science Comic: Stadtwälder - bezwingen Precipita

November 2018

DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.24502.34880

Authors:

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research

John Toland Van Stan

Cleveland State University

This is the story of Precipita, the waterwitch of Leipzig Germany, and the critical roles that urban forests play in protecting the city from her hydrological whims! As we made this comic with the City of Leipzig in Germany we also translated it into German. The science comic is based on a book chapter "Urban Forestry: An Underutilized Tool in Water Management" in "Advanced Tools for Integrated Water Resources Management" by Van Stan, Underwood, and Friesen (Elsevier).

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Since the beginning of human settlement, people have observed water in its many forms, recording the ways that water supports and subverts life... like a cunning and capricious witch. This is the story of Precipita, the waterwitch of Leipzig Germany, and the critical roles that urban forests play in protecting the city from her hydrological whims! This science comic was based on a book chapter ... [Show full abstract] "Urban Forestry: An Underutilized Tool in Water Management" in "Advanced Tools for Integrated Water Resources Management" by Van Stan, Underwood, and Friesen (Elsevier). Supported by NSF 11518726.

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Chapter

Urban Forestry: An Underutilized Tool in Water Management

January 2018

Urban forestry widely affects urban environments, impacting a city's microclimate, recreational value, and water resources. With regard to water resources, urban trees and forests can, for example, dampen the effects of extreme precipitation or help evaporate precipitation to reduce stormwater runoff. Yet, urban planners rarely consider urban forestry as a tool in integrated water resource ... [Show full abstract] management (IWRM). This chapter focuses on how urban forest setting, canopy manipulation, and tree species selection can significantly alter urban hydrologic processes, using as an example the first interaction between urban forests and the terrestrial hydrologic cycle: canopy precipitation partitioning. We detail the economic relevance of urban canopy precipitation partitioning to IWRM and review research quantifying its connection to manageable urban forest traits. Since many urban forests around the globe face increased extreme storm frequency, a case study of precipitation partitioning among different forest settings during an extreme storm is presented. Major factors that influence the urban forest's role in stormwater quality are also discussed. Conclusions and future directions on how urban water managers may influence urban canopy precipitation partitioning to assist in achieving management goals are provided.