Hydrological Effects of Urban Green Space on Stormwater Runoff Reduction in Luohe, China

Peihao Song, Jianhui Guo, Enkai Xu, Audrey L. Mayer, Chang Liu, Jing Huang, Guohang Tian and Gunwoo Kim
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Peihao Song: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Jianhui Guo: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Enkai Xu: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Audrey L. Mayer: College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
Chang Liu: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Jing Huang: School of Mathematics and Statistics, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, China
Guohang Tian: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Gunwoo Kim: Graduate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-20

Abstract: This paper reveals the role of urban green space (UGS) in regulating runoff and hence on urban hydrological balance. The modeling software i-Tree Hydro was used to quantify the effects of UGS on surface runoff regulation and canopy interception capacity in four simulated land-cover scenarios. The results showed that the existing UGS could mitigate 15,871,900 m 3 volume of runoff (accounting for 9.85% of total runoff) and intercept approximately 9.69% of total rainfall by the vegetation canopy. UGS in midterm goal and final goal scenarios could retain about 10.74% and 10.89% of total rainfall that falls onto the canopy layer, respectively. The existing UGS in the Luohe urban area had a positive but limited contribution in runoff regulation, with similar responses in future scenarios with increased UGS coverage. UGS rainfall interception volume changed seasonally along with changing leaf area index (LAI) and precipitation, and the interception efficiency was distinctly different under various rain intensities and durations. The UGS had a relatively high interception performance under light and long duration rain events but performed poorly under heavy and short rain events due to limited surface storage capacities. Our study will assist urban planners and policy-makers regarding UGS size and functionality in future planning in Luohe, particularly regarding future runoff management and Sponge City projects.

Keywords: urban green space; UAV; i-Tree Hydro; runoff; interception efficiency; Luohe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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