Min head to Florida to learn UFORE model

Min field work1
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute

In June Chinese Fellow Dr. Min Zhao visited the University of Florida in Gainesville to expand upon her research in urban forestry. Her project revolves around quantifying the benefits of urban forests, and better understanding the urban forest carbon cycle. Urban forests are thought to perform many important ecological functions, but there are few methods to quantify the value of these functions.

The US Forest Service developed one model, the Urban Forest Effects (UFORE), to quantify forest structure, function, and value. To better learn how to use this complicated method, Min paired up with Dr. Francisco Escobedo, an expert who has used the model in multiple cities in the US and abroad. He graciously hosted Min at the University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation for several weeks while she learned the ins and outs of the model.