Treasure Valley Idaho Urban Forest Scenario Tools using CommunityViz

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Documentation for Modeling Tools for Strategic Canopy Development Scenarios using ESRI ArcMap and CommunityViz Software By integrating Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) assessment data and i-Tree ecosystem services values, Plan-It Geo provided Modeling Tools for Strategic Canopy Development Scenarios for the Treasure Valley (TV) region, nine cities, and the Ada County Highway District (11 analyses in total). CommunityViz Scenario 360, a planning software extension for ArcGIS desktop, was chosen as the platform. This software was also used for COMPASS’ Communities in Motion 2040 Plan. This document describes the process and provides examples of how to use the GIS-based urban forest scenario tools. Generally speaking, these CommunityViz (“CV”) tools allow a user to identify and prioritize areas for tree planting, track new or existing trees, projects, and costs, forecast future urban tree canopy (UTC) based on existing canopy growth and new plantings, and model the potential ecosystem services (benefits) over time. This document is not intended to explain all of the functionality and components within CV software, but rather to explain how the TV CV Urban Forest Scenario Tools were developed and describe how they can be used. More information on the software and online help menu is provided at the end. This documentation provides an introductory overview, tips on getting started with CV, regional-scale tools including CV’s “Suitability Model” used in the tools, sitespecific tree cost/benefit tools, and specific step-by-step instructions of several “Saved Views” (described below in detail).

Table of Contents 1.)

Overview

2.)

Getting Started

3.)

Regional Scale Urban Forest Scenario Tools

4.)

Site-Level Tree Planting, Tracking, and Cost/Benefit Analysis Tools

5.)

Ecosystem Services Analysis Tools (Air Quality, Energy Conservation, and Stormwater)

6.)

Saved Views

7.)

Additional Information

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