Assessing the Relationship between Urban Heat and Vegetation in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Abstract

The urban heat island effect poses a significant challenge for cities and urbanized areas, particularly those in warm climates. Vegetation, such as urban trees and parks, plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of urban heat by helping to reduce land surface temperatures. This study explores the relationship between urban heat and vegetation in Albuquerque, New Mexico using remote sensing. To calculate land surface temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and identify patterns of heat distribution and vegetation density across the city, the study used Google Earth Engine (GEE) to process Landsat 8 imagery, and ArcGIS Pro to integrate social vulnerability data and help determine what areas would be most impacted by new vegetation. Additionally, this study assessed the accessibility of this methodology for local governments, emphasizing its potential as a cost-effective approach to urban heat mitigation. By demonstrating the utility of GEE and freely available satellite data, this study provides a framework for municipalities to make informed decisions in combating urban heat and enhancing climate resilience. Results showed that there is a positive relationship between urban heat and areas of low vegetation, and GEE is a valuable tool to help government agencies tackle urban heat.