Tree removal regulation mitigates light pollution in suburban communities

Chan Yong Sung and Young-Jae Kim

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2025, vol. 68, issue 10, 2479-2493

Abstract: Light pollution raises various problems for urban environments. This study examined whether or not the tree removal regulation in The Woodlands, Texas, reduced light pollution. Nighttime light intensities for The Woodlands and nearby communities were derived from Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day and Night Band (DNB) monthly nighttime images. A multi-level model (MLM) was used to examine the effects of built environmental variables on nighttime light intensities in the study communities. The nighttime light intensity was affected by high-intensity developed land, vegetation density, and nighttime light intensity of nearby areas. Then, a control community with similar environmental conditions to The Woodlands was selected, and a paired t-test between The Woodlands and the control community was conducted. The test illustrates that The Woodlands had lower nighttime light intensities than the control community. Based on these results, it is concluded that The Woodlands’ tree removal regulation is effective in mitigating light pollution.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2024.2317891

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