Actualizing urban forestry and agroforestry green infrastructure integration at Scott's bluff rural urban interface

This research study is a practical application of the interaction of urban forestry and agroforestry in the context of a green infrastructure master plan. The project was designed to actualize the use of GIS and remote sensing to produce a green infrastructure master plan for the rural urban interface to yield the anticipated benefits and mitigate the aspects of climate change and global warming. The study of proposed area evaluates tree cover, land use and infrastructure development in relations to the hydrological and environmental impacts with a view to creating a workable, implementable green infrastructure plan; aided by agroforestry, urban forestry in unison with GIS and remote sensing. The objectives of this study were to: (1) explore the role of GIS and remote sensing in green infrastructure planning, (2) define the role of agroforestry and urban forestry in green infrastructure and (3) create opportunities for leisure and recreation through green infrastructure. The scope included the application of data acquired from aerial photography, topographic maps, satellite images and ground truthing. GIS is an appropriate tool for decision criteria because it paints a reality picture on the ground for assessment, justification and application. Results from the GIS and remote sensing data were used to develop a green infrastructure map and marking the potential areas for green spaces leisure and recreation. Overall visualization aided in assessing the connectivity of the green spaces with other natural and agroforestry systems in the rural urban interface.