Greenness vs. Income 

Results

The choropleth map shows definite spatial clustering around high levels of greenness in Santa Clara County tracts.  Moran's I confirms spatial clustering (I = 0.22, p = 0.001). Greener neighborhoods cluster together and have higher Greenness values.  People value houses in green spaces with tree canopy. 

Policy Implications
Tree canopy conservation and support is an environmentally and financially wise city planning strategy. High house prices drive greenness, or are perhaps driven by greenness. In many places in Santa Clara County, trees were left in place as neighborhoods were developed–these areas still benefit to this day from the conserved forest canopy, such as in downtown Palo Alto, and Professorville. Other cities in the Bay Area were built on orchards and agricultural lands that lacked the original live oak and valley oak canopy. Tree canopy may increase home prices, or home prices may protect trees. Some cities have policies that either sponsor or penalize tree canopy. Since greenness is highly correlated with house values, cities should encourage tree conservation if they want to collect higher parcel taxes. This financial benefit adds to the actual ecosystem services that tree canopies bring, such as carbon fixation, water cycling, air filtration, oxygen production, and temperature regulation.