Air temperature distribution in an urban park: differences between open-field and below a canopy

The air temperature distribution in an urban area is very important for biometeorological studies. Many authors underline the importance of the presence of green areas for thermal wellbeing during summer and the aim of this study is to investigate the differences in apparent temperature values between a lawn and below a canopy in an urban park. The study was carried out in the greatest urban park of Florence: two meteorological stations were sited in two different areas of the park, on a grassland and on a woodland. Data were collected in August 2008, when the park is crowded and the cooling effect of green areas is stronger. Apparent temperature was compared between the two sensors, and a significant difference in maximum, minimum, and daily apparent temperature range was found. This is an important result as regard human wellbeing and the urban heat island during summer: the air temperature in an urban park is linked to the type of vegetation of the park and the human wellbeing can be significantly different in a lawn or in a forested part of the park.