Trees Cool the City but Feel the Heat

Mike Alonzo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at American University. He uses geospatial analyses of airborne and satellite imagery to study how terrestrial ecosystems respond to global change, with a focus on the relationship between trees and urban heat. His research explores how urban forests mitigate heat, identifying where tree planting and maintenance are most effective and equitable. Alonzo’s team also uses drone-based thermal imagery and satellite-derived phenology data to study urban tree response to heat. His work has influenced urban tree canopy legislation and mitigation strategies in cities like Washington, DC. Alonzo teaches courses in remote sensing, GIS, and urban ecology.