Measuring tree canopy cover is a simple way to determine the extent of the urban forest and the magnitude of the
ecosystem services it provides. To calculate tree canopy cover, Metro Vancouver uses the regional land cover classification dataset, a five metre resolution GIS raster spatial dataset that was created using high resolution multi-spectral satellite imagery, LiDAR data (where available), and other datasets. The tree classes had relatively high accuracies — 80% for deciduous trees and 94% for coniferous trees — and were combined to provide the area of all tree canopy cover. Several member jurisdictions have conducted finer resolution tree canopy analyses within their boundaries, and some have also reported change over time. Metro Vancouver’s analysis provides a consistent regional assessment and fills data gaps where local mapping may not exist.
Key performance measure
Metro 2050 establishes the performance measure as the change in the percentage of regional total tree canopy cover within the
Urban Containment Boundary. The target is to increase the total tree canopy cover from 32% to 40% by the year 2050.
Progress
This key performance measure is not on track. Between 2014 and 2020, the regional tree canopy cover decreased from 32% to 31% within the Urban Containment Boundary. The next update to the Urban Tree Canopy Cover dataset is planned in 2027 – 2028.