(IN BRIEF) The “Mein Baum” citizen science project, launched by BUND Naturschutz in collaboration with TUM and HSWT, encourages citizens to document urban trees using a smartphone app. The collected data will support climate adaptation strategies by enhancing understanding of the role of trees in urban environments. The app enables users to record tree species, conditions, and other ecological information, contributing to a comprehensive database that will guide sustainable urban planning efforts.
(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 25-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — BUND Naturschutz, in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT), has launched the citizen science initiative “Mein Baum” (“My Tree”). The project invites people to contribute to scientific research by documenting urban trees in their communities using a smartphone app. This initiative aims to better understand the role of trees in cities and their potential to mitigate climate change.
Urban trees play a crucial role in improving air quality, providing shade, and reducing heat pollution. They also bind climate-damaging carbon dioxide and offer various ecological benefits. However, a lack of data on tree distribution and health in urban areas has made it difficult to assess their full contribution to climate adaptation. The “Mein Baum” project seeks to address this gap by enabling citizens to document tree species, locations, conditions, and other relevant details through an easy-to-use app.
The app allows users to record tree species, tree condition, trunk and crown dimensions, and root area. It includes an integrated species identification guide, offering users photos and descriptions of common tree species, helping them accurately document the trees they encounter. Users can also upload pictures for expert verification and note the animals and plants living on the trees. This crowdsourced data will help build a comprehensive database of urban trees, which will support future research into their ecological importance.
“Urban trees face challenges such as drought, disease, and tree felling, which hinder their ability to mitigate climate change impacts,” said Stephan Pauleit, Professor of Strategic Landscape Planning at TUM. “Sustainable urban planning, which integrates nature into the urban environment, is essential to create climate-resilient cities. The ‘Mein Baum’ project plays a key role in advancing this goal.”
BUND Naturschutz’s political director, Martin Geilhufe, added, “To protect urban trees, we need a better understanding of their condition and distribution. This citizen science project is crucial for gathering the data necessary to protect these vital green spaces.”
The data collected through the app will be used by researchers to define targeted measures for climate adaptation and improve urban planning strategies. “’Mein Baum’ allows us to gather precise data on urban trees, helping us quantify their ecological value and improve climate adaptation efforts,” said Thomas Rötzer, Professor of Ecological Modeling at TUM.
The app is free to download and also features a community area where users can share information and join in activities like watering trees during dry spells. Through this initiative, the project fosters a sense of community while promoting sustainable environmental practices.
Prof. Dr. Stephan Pauleit
Technical University of Munich
Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management
Phone: +49 (8161) 71-4780
pauleit@tum.de
Prof. Dr. Thomas Rötzer
Technical University of Munich
Phone: +49 (8161) 71-4667
thomas.roetzer@tum.de
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First published in this link of EuropaWIRE.
