Visualize Six Years of Architectural Changes at the University of British Columbia Vancouver Campus: Impacts on Tree Growth, Green Connectivity, and Coyote Footprints

This study investigates how building expansion on the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus from 2015 to 2021 has influenced tree dynamics and coyote movement by leveraging high-resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and spatial analysis.

A campus-wide analysis revealed an increase in building density from 0.91 to 1.03 buildings per hectare, with total building coverage expanding from 16.62% to 18.39%. Eight campus neighborhoods were analyzed in detail, with Wesbrook Place experiencing the most substantial change, adding 22 new primarily residential buildings. Beyond direct tree removal, construction activities indirectly hindered vegetation recovery by damaging root systems and compacting soil.