Canopy Cover
/KAN-oh-pee KUV-er/🌲 Arboriculture● Basic
Also known as: tree canopy, canopy coverage, urban canopy
Canopy cover (or canopy coverage) is a key metric in urban forestry measured as the percentage of land area shaded by tree crowns when viewed from directly above. It is assessed using aerial imagery, LiDAR, or i-Tree tools. Higher canopy cover correlates with reduced urban heat island effect, improved air quality, increased property values, and reduced stormwater runoff. Many cities set canopy cover targets of 30-40%.
Etymology
From Latin canopeum (covering, mosquito net) + Old English cover (to hide)
Example
“LiDAR analysis showed the neighborhood's canopy cover had declined from 45% to 28% over twenty years.”