Urban tree cover is crucial for providing various environmental and mental health benefits to residents. New research from social scientists at the University of Utah suggests that the loss of trees can negatively impact educational outcomes, especially for students from low-income households.
Economist Alberto Garcia studied the impact of tree loss on school attendance and standardized test scores in the Chicago area following a devastating infestation by the emerald ash borer, a non-native beetle that decimated millions of ash trees. His findings reveal significant concerns and highlight the intricate relationship between environmental decline and socio-economic disparities.
Tree Loss and Educational Outcomes
The research focused on the influence of losing tree cover on education in the Chicago metropolitan area, which suffered greatly from the beetle infestation. Ash trees were the most prevalent non-invasive species in the area, making up about 18% of street trees—around 85,000 in total. By 2020, Chicago had lost half of its ash trees, with most of the remaining ones already dead or declining, according to the Morton Arboretum.
The study monitored student performance on standardized tests given to 3rd to 8th graders in Illinois from 2003 to 2012.
Garcia noted, “We discovered that areas affected by ash borer infestations experienced decreased test scores compared to similar areas that were unaffected.”
“We also observed income distribution differences, finding that schools with a higher number of low-income students were less likely to experience infestations. These neighborhoods generally have less tree cover, reducing the odds of ash borer establishment,” he explained. “While low-income students in unaffected areas didn’t seem impacted, those in affected schools appeared to suffer more than their wealthier peers at similar institutions.”
The findings were published this month in the journal Global Environmental Change, co-authored by ecologist Michelle Lee, who has recently joined the University of Utah’s College of Social & Behavioral Science.
Previous studies have indicated a positive correlation between tree cover in neighborhoods and student test scores. For instance, sociologists and geographers from the University of Utah found that low-income neighborhoods in the state have less tree canopy around schools. Conversely, those schools with more trees saw fewer students falling below proficiency in year-end math and language arts assessments.
Garcia pointed out that better educational outcomes in these green neighborhoods might be largely driven by the higher incomes of their residents.
“Our research aims to establish a more direct connection,” he said. “We utilized the natural experiment presented by the emerald ash borer’s arrival and its uneven spread across different neighborhoods within Chicago.”
To carry out the study, Garcia and Lee developed a unique dataset that combined satellite imagery, standardized testing data from Illinois, and information from emerald ash borer surveys.
Garcia elaborated, “We were fortunate that Illinois was administering standardized tests during the same period when the ash borer invaded the region. Since all schools in Illinois took the same test, we gained consistent data over time.”
The Impact on Students
Rather than just reiterating the link between tree cover and test scores, Garcia and Lee monitored shifts in school attendance and scores as the beetle infestation wreaked havoc on Chicago’s ash trees over the decade.
The research recorded a 1.22% decline in the proportion of students who met or exceeded Illinois’ standardized testing standards in areas affected by the ash borer. While this may seem like a small decrease, it indicates significant ramifications when considered across the entire student body.
Garcia noted, “Schools with higher populations of low-income students were less frequently impacted by infestations because those neighborhoods had less tree cover. However, low-income students at affluent schools, where infestations were more prevalent, seemed to face the most significant challenges.”
Considering possible reasons for these effects, Garcia suggested that the loss of trees could elevate urban temperatures, worsen air quality, and reduce the mental and physical health benefits provided by green spaces.
“One explanation might be that those students lack the same resources available to higher-income peers for coping with extreme heat or pollution-related headaches,” he mentioned.
Moreover, low-income students might spend more time outside in their neighborhoods or closer to school, increasing their exposure to poor environmental conditions, whereas wealthier students might travel from farther away or enjoy climate-controlled settings that shield them from such issues.
Environmental Justice Consequences
The study emphasizes that environmental changes have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups. While low-income neighborhoods were less likely to experience a loss of tree cover, low-income students attending wealthier schools faced setbacks during infestations.
“This issue transcends mere access to environmental resources,” Garcia stated. “It’s essential to grasp how the absence of these resources can generate inequalities that affect vital areas of life, such as education.”
The findings reinforce the need for urban forestry programs and management of invasive species. Efforts to preserve and restore tree canopy could significantly help address both environmental and social inequalities. Garcia’s research paves the way for future inquiries into how ecosystem changes influence human outcomes, particularly in urban areas where environmental disparities are glaringly evident.
