STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
"Stormwater management is the effort to reduce runoff of rainwater or melted snow into streets, lawns and other sites and the improvement of water quality, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)." Trees can help control water temperature by providing shade which decreases the likelihood of an algal bloom. Algal blooms can cover the standing water and block out sunlight to plants on the bottom of the rain garden killing them. They also capture rainfall in their canopy which then evaporates into the atmosphere. Their roots and leaf litter also create a healthy soil environment that promotes drainage. This can help mitigate the predicted floods that will come with climate change as well as restore the natural water cycle. When choosing plants for your project, whether it be at your home, a public park, or for the city, make choices that help the environment and make these spaces more durable.
