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Correlating vegetation, water use, and surface temperature in a semiarid city : a multiscale analysis of the impacts of irrigation by single-family residences

The geographical analysis of water problems

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

HALPER, E.B.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, Field Office, Tucson, Etats-Unis
SCOTT, C.A.
School of Geography and Development, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, Etats-Unis
Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, Etats-Unis
YOOL, S.R.
School of Geography and Development, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, Etats-Unis
WENTZ, E.A.
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, Etats-Unis


Description :
Focusing on water-scarce Tucson, the AA. examined whether outdoor water use by residents of single-family homes contributes to urban “greenness” and the mitigation of urban heat island (UHI) effects. Their data sets include Landsat-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and surface temperatures, parcel-level zoning and assessor data, and residential water use records. Spatial analysis results demonstrate that cooling from vegetative evapotranspiration is mediated by development factors as well as by topography and wind patterns. Findings also suggest that outdoor water use aside from irrigation, particularly the use of swimming pools, promotes cooling without elevating the NDVI. Temporal analysis reveal that most residential areas maintained or increased greenness despite declining 1995-2008 water use. It is suggested that the preservation of natural drainage channels and limitation of impervious surfaces, as well as the siting of development in naturally cooled microclimates, may be sustainable strategies for UHI mitigation in water-scarce regions.


Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Geographical analysis, issn : 0016-7363, 2012, vol. 44, n°. 3, p. 235-257, nombre de pages : 23, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Etats-Unis, Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Press

Langue :
Anglais
Droits :
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