The Effects of Different Vegetation Types on Local Climate

In the present days the effects of the global climate change can be observed everywhere. The negative impacts of this phenomenon, especially temperature rising, can be felt significantly in the cities of Central Europe. In these areas the effects of the global temperature rising and the urban heat island intensify each other.

However, these phenomena grant the opportunity to find the most suitable vegetation types for moderating the warming up of such urban areas. The aim of this study is to provide support in determining these vegetation types.

The examined area is Budapest, the capital of Hungary. This city has a wide selection of various urban green surfaces; consequently as a result of the examination it shall become clear which of these are the best vegetation types and the best vegetation structures in respect of the positive climatic effects. With the help of this study it shall also be clarified how the strength of this moderating effect depends on the water supply of the plants. The importance of this question lies within the fact that depending on the water supply different vegetation types may have totally different effects. Thus the main plant species and the structure of the canopy layers must be taken into thorough consideration.

A collection of thermal infrared satellite images serve as the main source of data for this study. These images were produced in the last decade. They thoroughly show the thermal attributes of the examined area (green surface). The other important source of information is the examination of those structure species and vegetation types which are the most efficient in reducing the negative climate impacts under urban circumstances. The water supply dependence of this reducing effect is also very important piece of information.