| Predictions |
We think that a park will have more benefits environmental wise, in terms of controlling pollution, water runoff, oxygen-production etc. but will have less monetary value and revenue compared to a parking lot or other structure of equal sizing. This is because a building can produce oxygen like a tree can but people have to pay to visit these buildings while a park is typically free and has maintenance costs. However attractions like rec centers, golf courses in parks, and others will be considered in the monetary value of the park. |
| Experimental Design |
Independent Variable
The independent variable is the location of the trees (nature parks or parking lot).
Dependent Variable
The dependent variables are the environmental and economic benefits of the different locations.
Control
The controls of this experiment are the areas of the land, time period, the season, and the amount of trees.
Materials
Trees
Parks
Building Parking Lots
Measuring tape/ruler
Tree Benefit Calculator
Internet
Search Engine
Computer
Procedure
Part 1 - Collecting Data for Parks
Pick a Park
This can be based on proximity or appearance
Note the size of the park
Number of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
If not available count the trees by hand using a marker system or starting from one end of the park and working your way up.
Types of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
If not available use the internet
Average Circumference
Pick at least 5 trees of every type available
Use breast height (4.5 feet high) to know where to measure tree at
Wrap measuring tape around tree and note size
Record data
Average Diameter
Take Circumference and divide by pi
Average Radius
Take diameter and divide by 2
Average Height
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Estimate the height based on surroundings/experience of at least 5 trees of every type
Attractions
Count how many attractions the park has that can be playgrounds, tracks, football fields, recreational centers, etc.
Answer the following questions using assistance from someone who works at the park or a search engine
On average how much does it cost to build “__” attraction?
The average cost hasn’t changed in “x” amount of years?
Taking the above information based on the park’s revenue, has it been paid off?
Revenue
Answer the following questions by asking a manager at the location
If unavailable use the internet to answer these questions specifically
If no search results are returned specifically find averages for the county and note that these are averages
Is there an entrance fee?
How does the park earn money?
How much does it cost to maintain the park?
How much money is brought in on average?
Are goods sold there? If so, what kind and what benefit do they have?
Determining Tree Benefits -
Go to http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/ and type in the diameter of your tree along with the height, location, and tree type.
Write down the price given from the calculator for the following categories for each tree measured.
If using averages multiple prices by each number of trees of the same type.
Total Price
Storm water
Property value
Energy
Air quality
CO2
Part 2 - Collecting Data for Structures
Pick a Structure
Using the park you picked previously, find an area that is similar in size (plus or minus 5% but has little trees such as a parking lot, library, store, etc.
Revenue
Answer the following questions by asking a manager at the location
If unavailable use the internet to answer these questions specifically
If no search results are returned specifically find averages for the county and note that these are averages
Is there an entrance fee?
How does the structure earn money?
How much does it cost to maintain the structure?
How much money is brought in on average?
Are goods sold there? If so, what kind and what benefit do they have?
Environmental Benefits
Answer the following questions by asking a manager at the location
If unavailable use the internet to answer these questions specifically
If no search results are returned specifically find averages for the county and note that these are averages
Does the structure have solar panels?
Does the building recycle?
Does your building have any Trees? If Yes answer the following questions
Based on if the surrounding area will be included in size.
Number of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Hand Count
Types of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Search Engine
Average Circumference
Pick at least 5 trees of every type available
Use breast height to know where to measure tree
Record data
Average Diameter
Take Circumference and divide by pi
Average Radius
Take diameter and divide by 2
Average Height
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Estimate the height based on surroundings/experience of at least 5 trees of every type
Independent Variable
The independent variable is the location of the trees (nature parks or parking lot).
Dependent Variable
The dependent variables are the environmental and economic benefits of the different locations.
Control
The controls of this experiment are the areas of the land, time period, the season, and the amount of trees.
Materials
Trees
Parks
Building Parking Lots
Measuring tape/ruler
Tree Benefit Calculator
Internet
Search Engine
Computer
Procedure
Part 1 - Collecting Data for Parks
Pick a Park
This can be based on proximity or appearance
Note the size of the park
Number of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
If not available count the trees by hand using a marker system or starting from one end of the park and working your way up.
Types of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
If not available use the internet
Average Circumference
Pick at least 5 trees of every type available
Use breast height (4.5 feet high) to know where to measure tree at
Wrap measuring tape around tree and note size
Record data
Average Diameter
Take Circumference and divide by pi
Average Radius
Take diameter and divide by 2
Average Height
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Estimate the height based on surroundings/experience of at least 5 trees of every type
Attractions
Count how many attractions the park has that can be playgrounds, tracks, football fields, recreational centers, etc.
Answer the following questions using assistance from someone who works at the park or a search engine
On average how much does it cost to build “__” attraction?
The average cost hasn’t changed in “x” amount of years?
Taking the above information based on the park’s revenue, has it been paid off?
Revenue
Answer the following questions by asking a manager at the location
If unavailable use the internet to answer these questions specifically
If no search results are returned specifically find averages for the county and note that these are averages
Is there an entrance fee?
How does the park earn money?
How much does it cost to maintain the park?
How much money is brought in on average?
Are goods sold there? If so, what kind and what benefit do they have?
Determining Tree Benefits -
Go to http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/ and type in the diameter of your tree along with the height, location, and tree type.
Write down the price given from the calculator for the following categories for each tree measured.
If using averages multiple prices by each number of trees of the same type.
Total Price
Storm water
Property value
Energy
Air quality
CO2
Part 2 - Collecting Data for Structures
Pick a Structure
Using the park you picked previously, find an area that is similar in size (plus or minus 5% but has little trees such as a parking lot, library, store, etc.
Revenue
Answer the following questions by asking a manager at the location
If unavailable use the internet to answer these questions specifically
If no search results are returned specifically find averages for the county and note that these are averages
Is there an entrance fee?
How does the structure earn money?
How much does it cost to maintain the structure?
How much money is brought in on average?
Are goods sold there? If so, what kind and what benefit do they have?
Environmental Benefits
Answer the following questions by asking a manager at the location
If unavailable use the internet to answer these questions specifically
If no search results are returned specifically find averages for the county and note that these are averages
Does the structure have solar panels?
Does the building recycle?
Does your building have any Trees? If Yes answer the following questions
Based on if the surrounding area will be included in size.
Number of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Hand Count
Types of Trees
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Search Engine
Average Circumference
Pick at least 5 trees of every type available
Use breast height to know where to measure tree
Record data
Average Diameter
Take Circumference and divide by pi
Average Radius
Take diameter and divide by 2
Average Height
Data can be requested from someone who works at the park but if not
Estimate the height based on surroundings/experience of at least 5 trees of every type |