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Sustaining Urban Forests
Abstract
The significance of the urban forest resource and the powerful forces for change in the urban environment make sustainability a critical issue in urban forest management. The diversity, connectedness, and dynamics of the urban forest establish the context for management that will determine the sustainability of forest structure, health, functions, and benefits. A dynamic planning and management model is presented that encourages decisions that will support sustainability through the implementation of collaborative and adaptive management.
... The characteristics differentiating natural forests in urban areas from natural forests can be summarized as diversity, connectedness, and dynamics [23]. Diversity is an outstanding characteristic of urban forests. ...
... Additionally, there are multiple water elements present, such as rivers, lakes, streams, canals, and man-made ponds. Ultimately, urban forests are typically diverse due to a wide range of goals and complex management decisions, setting them apart from the diversity found in natural forests [18,21,23,24]. Connectedness in the urban environment is considered another key attribute of urban forests, as it describes the intensity and consistency between different components. ...
... Integrating urban forests with urban infrastructure, such as planting and maintaining trees within urban forested areas and paving sidewalks and roads, can enhance connectedness. Additionally, the connectedness between urban forests and other landscapes has become a crucial characteristic in mitigating the negative consequences of urban forest fragmentation, thus, positioning forests as a significant aspect of urban design and planning [10,23,25]. Urban forest dynamics refers to the transformations that occur in vegetation and other components over time. ...
Permanent forest reserves (PFR) in urban areas are an integral aspect of the urban forest concept and the basis of a city’s green infrastructure. The preservation of natural forests in urban areas has become a widely researched topic due to the environmental, social, and economic benefits provided by it. Although several studies have shown that visual aesthetics play a role in preserving natural forests in urban areas, visual aesthetic value is typically not prioritized in preservation plans since it varies based on the physical characteristics of natural forests in urban areas, making it difficult to measure universally. Therefore, this research aims to identify the suitable variables for assessing the visual aesthetic quality of permanent forest reserves within urban areas in Malaysia. This study selected two permanent forest reserves based on four criteria. Data were collected via participant-generated images taken along selected forest trails based on participant visual aesthetic preferences. Researchers and experts analyzed and classified the data according to content to identify suitable visual aesthetic quality variables. This research identified 14 suitable variables for assessing the visual aesthetics of PFRs in urban areas, with a dominant preference for information-processing theory variables. Mystery was the most present variable for the visual aesthetic quality assessment of PFRs. Furthermore, participants’ educational and emotional backgrounds, categorized as design, environmental, social, and technical, impacted their visual aesthetic preferences. Our findings serve as a foundation for assessing the visual aesthetic quality of natural forests within urban areas in Malaysia.
... Urban forests can be broadly defined as the natural and planted trees in urban areas [2]. Forest resources can significantly improve the quality of the urban environment and the wellbeing of its inhabitants [3]. Properly planned and managed urban and per urban forests provide important positive externalities through ecosystem services. ...
... Such activity can be both positive and negative. Wide-ranging activities of people are among the major forces for change in the health and character of the urban forest and ultimately determine its sustainability, more so than with any other forest resource [3,6]. The adverse impacts of humans can be mitigated by positive actions such as planning, planting and management; all occurring with common commitment and shared vision. ...
... The importance of urban forests and green spaces is increasing, because the number of people living in towns is growing. The experiences that urban residents have with trees and associated resources in the urban environment are likely to influence their perceptions, expectations and use of more distant natural resource areas, such as national forests, parks and monuments [3]. The results of Eaton's [9] study demonstrate that outdoor education programs are effective for promoting cognitive changes in students. ...
The article presents the results of research conducted in order to determine the comprehensibility (intelligibility) of the text of signs on educational paths in Warsaw’s city forests. This evaluation was carried out with the use of an online IT tool—Promovolt. The obtained results were confronted with the assessment of users of educational paths and the opinion of an expert group, which consisted of people involved in the design of educational materials. The results indicate that the majority of the analyzed interpretative signs are dedicated to secondary school students because of the level of text comprehensibility. At the same time, 20% of the text is understandable only to recipients with higher education. This means that the educational paths in the urban forests of Warsaw, with interpretative signs allowing independent learning, do not sufficiently support the ecological education of children and youth from primary schools up to 15 years of age, as well as people with basic or vocational education.
... Current approaches are constrained by limited knowledge of the motivations of urban inhabitants. This includes urban forest structures influence on local social and environmental benefits, as well as stakeholder interest and willingness to participate in an adaptive management approach (Dwyer, Nowak, & Noble, 2003) Understanding the values and the benefits of urban trees can help local agencies develop tree management and protection policies that are integrated within a sustainable urban ecosystem framework. (Jones, Davis, & Bradford, 2013). ...
... Human activities pose significant challenges for urban forest systems, as forest structures managed to meet the functional needs of residents. As noted by Dwyer et al. (2003), these functions may vary as social paradigms shift or adaptive management objectives change due to other environmental or social conditions, such as pests or new development. As new management practices are implemented, public opinions will inevitably shift in reaction to management objectives, therefore a continued evaluation of community attitudes is critical to a successful and sustainable management plan. ...
... Additionally, this study investigated motivations for tree planting and removal at the residential scale, as the majority of tree planting behavior in urban landscapes occur on privately owned land (Pearce et al., 2013). Understanding residential tree-planting motivations and support for tree-planting initiatives can help engage residents and achieve urban forest goals (Dwyer et al., 2003). This study shows that residents are actively planting and removing trees at the residential scale, emphasizing their role in urban forest management with aesthetics as the primary motivating factor for planting trees and tree health as the primary motivating factor for tree removal. ...
Urban trees perform several ecosystem services important to humans. Climate variability and poor management threatens urban forests with ecological and socio-economic consequences. Therefore, it is critical urban trees are sustainably managed. For an urban tree management plan to succeed, social inputs at the residential scale must be taken into consideration. The aim of this research is to help inform urban forest managers of social variables that may play an integral role in successful implementation of urban forest management plans. Social factors behind home-owner decision-making to plant or remove trees in the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas show that 75% of respondents consider aesthetics as extremely important in motivating tree planting, 74% cited space availability as very or extremely important for choosing the tree species planted, and 83% responded that tree health was the most important factor for removing trees. Most common types of trees planted were maples, and the most common types of trees removed were pines. Additionally, 38.1% of respondents primarily received information about trees from the internet, and 55.7% acquired trees from nurseries. 59% of respondents agreed that changes in climate were already occurring, 46% agreed that climate change is mainly caused by humans, and 47% thought climate change will have negative consequences. Respondents generally perceive themselves as moderately knowledgeable about climate change. 72.3% of respondents are concerned about climate changes impacts on trees and 63% believe planting trees to reduce climate change is important. Overall, 59.8% are extremely likely to support more tree-planting in parks, streets, and other public places. Respondents who perceive themselves as more knowledgeable about climate change are more likely to believe that changes in climate are due to humans and the impacts will be negative. Additionally, those respondents who consider themselves more knowledgeable are also more likely to believe planting trees can reduce negative impacts, are more likely to support more tree planting in public places, and are more concerned about climate change affecting trees, compared to those who perceive themselves as less knowledgeable. Results from these studies are important for the development of sustainable management plans, and educational outreach programs related to urban tree management. Advisor: Lisa Pennisi
... It emerged from political events and researchers highlighted the power of people to change the urban forest as the discipline matured (Dwyer & Schroeder, 1994;Nowak, 1993). 'Social context' and 'community framework' have thus been included as principles of urban forest sustainability that have come to guide policy development and management practices within urban forestry (Clark, Matheny, Cross, & Wake, 1997;Dwyer, Nowak, & Noble, 2003). In this case, human intervention is described as critical to the urban forest because 'urban forests cannot be sustained by nature, but by people' (Clark et al., 1997, p. 21). ...
... In this case, human intervention is described as critical to the urban forest because 'urban forests cannot be sustained by nature, but by people' (Clark et al., 1997, p. 21). This principle recognises the impact our activities have on the health and density of urban forests, while suggesting urban forestry will struggle to achieve what's ecologically possible if it operates independently of the community's aims, attitudes and desires (Clark et al., 1997;Dwyer et al., 2003). For Clark et al (1997, p. 24), a sustainable urban forest 'is founded upon community cooperation, quality care, continued funding and personal involvement'. ...
... Urban forestry will benefit from pursuing this line of inquiry, though I think we advance the cause if it is supported by a deeper understanding of the forces propelling people to care for trees and greenspaces. Urban foresters tell us urban forests cannot flourish without ordinary people physically and personally caring for plants in their neighbourhoods (Clark et al., 1997;Dwyer et al., 2003). Thus, attending to these practices is critically important and we should seek to develop the discipline's literacy of the powers shaping people's propensity to care, cooperate, and become personally involved with trees. ...
The urban forest has a significant impact on the city’s social and ecological performance. However, shrinking space and resources needed to care for trees means cultivating community care for the urban forest is an increasingly salient issue. To this end, the paper seeks to deepen our understanding of the powers shaping people’s capacity to care for trees. It identifies the body as one of these powers and turns to Deleuze and Guattari for a theory of corporeality that illuminates the body’s role in the process of becoming a ‘bushcarer’. This highlights the trans-corporeal practices and encounters that endow people with the skills and desire needed to care for the urban forest. With the ethical utility of the body being debated by social and cultural geographers, this article defends its potential by suggesting the body and its encounters are deeply implicated in the development of a dyadic capacity to care for the urban forest. For urban forestry, this means community engagement might be framed as an ethical event that facilitates experiments in bodily composition that might change our ways of thinking, feeling, and being with the urban forest.
... In some regions, new amenity landowners have brought with them the "willingness to innovate," and the economic resources to prioritize fire management on their lands when they move into former farming or ranching communities that may not have prioritized fire management Wilson 2006). The willingness to innovate introduces the potential for a combination of adaptive and collaborative management between forest landowners in order to sustain forest and resources across changing landscapes due to in-migrants (Aplet et al. 1993;Clark et al. 1997;Dwyer & Childs 2004;Dwyer et al. 2003;Selin & Chavez 1995). ...
... In some regions new amenity landowners have brought with them the "willingness to innovate" and economic resources to prioritize fire management on their lands when they move into former farming or ranching communities that may not have prioritized fire management Wilson 2006). This introduces the potential for a collaborative management between forest landowners and community forestry representatives in order to sustain forest and resources across changing landscapes due to in-migrants (Aplet et al. 1993;Clark et al. 1997;Dwyer & Childs 2004;Dwyer et al. 2003;Selin & Chavez 1995). ...
... Collaborative forest management groups, such as the Wallowa-Whitman Forest Collaborative, are working towards productive crossboundary forest restoration and active management. The desire for these changes by NIPF owners, in close proximity to national forests, increases potential for their participation in collaborative forest management in order to improve public forest management and support for forest restoration projects (Agrawal 2005;Aplet et al. 1993;Charnley & Poe 2007;Clark et al. 1997;Dwyer & Childs 2004;Dwyer et al. 2003;Selin & Chavez 1995). ...
Rural counties in the Inland Northwest have a ‘working lands’ culture that supports livelihoods dependent on the health of wildfire-prone private and public forests. Wildfires threaten economic livelihoods and exacerbate the challenges of working landscapes impacted by changing economies, demographic trends, and forest conditions. The main objectives of this thesis are to investigate: 1) what comprises amenity-driven migration and how are amenity- driven migration and wildfire severity related?; 2) are amenity-driven migrants engaged in forest management activities in Wallowa County, Oregon and what is forest management engagement?; 3) how does landowner parcel proximity from WUI, USFS land relate to perspectives of healthy forest, wildfire risk and how do geographic characteristics of amenity- driven migration relate to landowner perceptions of forest community transitions?
First, amenity-driven migration is defined as depending on natural amenities, seasonal homes, protected area, older adult net migration rate, and creative industry using a principal component analysis. Generalized least squares modeling of the Inland Northwest from 1992- 2009 indicates significant statistical relationships between amenity-driven migration, urbanization and drought with annual burned acres on USFS land. Second, interviews with thirty non-industrial private forest landowners from Wallowa County, OR, emphasize the importance of a clear definition of forest management engagement. Interviews outline two varying types of forest management engagement as: 1) engagement on own forestland; 2) engagement in the broader community forest management. Third, interviews with thirty non-industrial private forest landowners from Wallowa County, OR emphasize that landowner perspectives of changing Wallowa County community dynamics are more prominent for landowners who dwell near their forest parcels. Furthermore, analyses of the qualitative interviews emphasize the continued need for forestry information outreach to landowners in or nearby the WUI to clarify forest management understanding. This research is especially useful for residents, landowners and policy-makers to better understand transitions faced by NIPF owners on the landscape and community level when establishing forest management and land use policies within wildfire- prone landscapes.
... Similarly, Dwyer et al. (2003) also appreciates the role of urban forests by emphasizing the role of society in management of the urban forests. As such, urban forest sustainability is defined as the process of maintaining a healthy ecological urban forest system which generates communial benefits in perpetuity. ...
... Management activities may involve the use of technological applications such as citizen science apps, tree monitors, and 3D imagery. The ''smart urban forest'' concept has significant buy-ins into the sustainability model suggested by both Clark et al. (1997) and Dwyer et al. (2003). ...
Digital technologies are increasingly being incorporated in the management and governance of urban forests to provide the information needed for sustainable and more livable cities. However, there is scarce information on the documented lessons from applying these digital technologies for urban forestry management in many developing countries. This study addressed this challenge using a literature review in the case of Nairobi, Kenya, and Kampala, Uganda. The results substantiate that urban forests are important city assets enhancing ecological stability and sustainable development. As such, the digital technologies of urban forest management practices are rapidly expanding in the two cities to enhance urban forestry and create new opportunities for sustainable development. Both cities have differentiated integration of digital technologies in the vegetative, community support, and resource management components of urban forest governance and management, with important information and lessons being generated for city authorities and policymakers. In general, the technology implementation level in Kampala city is higher than in Nairobi City. This differentiation could be attributed to differences in the socio-political contexts of the two cities, which present different enablers and barriers to technology application in urban forestry. Nevertheless, more location-specific practices and experiences with a focus on how to diversify opinions and actors in digital technologies should be pursued.
... Despite the increasing recognition of the roles that urban forests play, recent work indicates they are declining throughout the United States (Nowak and Greenfield, 2018). However, intentional planning for and maintenance of urban forests can help sustain and expand them through the long term (Dwyer et al., 2003). ...
... Ultimately, the virtuous cycle framework is intended to leverage theories of change, or hypotheses of how planning with people will benefit all nature (including people) in ways that will garner broader support for the focal resources. The framework can apply to urban forests, supporting the incorporation of human dimensions into their resource planning-a key need, previously identified by Dwyer et al. (2003). ...
Urban forests are critical infrastructure for mitigating environmental and social challenges cities face. Municipalities and non-governmental entities, among others, often set goals (e.g., tree planting or canopy targets) to support urban forests and their benefits. We develop the conceptual underpinnings for an analysis of where additional canopy can fit within the landscape, while considering factors that influence where trees can be planted, and canopy can grow (“practical canopy”). We apply this in New York City (NYC) to inform the setting of a canopy goal by the NYC Urban Forest Task Force (UFTF) for the NYC Urban Forest Agenda , which may trigger a virtuous cycle , or a positive feedback loop where people are mobilized to protect the urban forest, and its benefits that ultimately motivate people to commit to its conservation. We further develop framing for a “priority canopy” analysis to understand where urban forest expansion should be prioritized given more context (e.g., environmental hazards and local preferences), which can inform how expansion of the urban forest is achieved. We estimate an opportunity for 15,899 ha of new canopy in NYC given existing opportunities and constraints (practical canopy), which, if leveraged, could result in nearly doubling the canopy as of 2017 (17,253 ha). However, like existing canopy, practical canopy is not evenly distributed, in general, or across jurisdictions and land uses. Relying solely on areas identified as practical canopy to expand the urban forest would exacerbate these inequities. We discuss how the NYC UFTF established a visionary and achievable goal of at least 30% canopy cover by 2035, informed by this analysis and guided by priorities of equity, health, and resilience. Achievement of this goal will ultimately require a combination of protecting and stewarding the existing resource, and leveraging opportunities for tree planting. Achieving a more equitable urban forest will also require identification of priority canopy, and, in cases, creation of new opportunities for tree planting and canopy expansion. Overall, the collaborative establishment of such goals based on local context can be instrumental in creating a virtuous cycle , moving conservation actors toward exercising influence and agency within the social–ecological system.
... Some studies argue that valuation of species should not be focused on their origin but on their functions (Davis et al., 2011;Lugo & Brandeis, 2005). A useful approach to adaptive urban forest management in a regional context has been proposed by Dwyer et al. (2003) that integrates (1) needs and attitudes of the community, (2) what urban forest structure is necessary to best address those needs, (3) periodical re-assessment of those needs and urban forest structure to ensure management plans remain appropriate. Also, research on the links between residents preference for traits, nursery offering and yard species composition, advocate for increasing taxonomic and functional diversity of nursery offering that reflect services (and minimize disservices) valued by residents . ...
... Current urban forestry and green infrastructure discourse advocates the use of an ecosystem services framework to advance sustainable management of city landscapes (Dwyer et al., 2003;Tratalos et al., 2007;Dobbs et al., 2011;Thomas & Geller, 2013;Krajter Ostoić & Konijnendijk van den Bosch, 2015;McPhearson et al., 2015;Miller et al., 2015). A general assumption of this framework is that ecosystem services maximization can be achieved by adequate allocation of trees and other forms of vegetation that yield desired functions, that in turn provide ecosystem services that can be valuated and linked to urban sustainability goals (Carreiro et al., 2008;Dobbs et al., 2017). ...
Residential green spaces are increasingly gaining attention for their potential to contribute to ecosystem services of social and ecological value for cities. This research evaluated the potential of residential yards of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to contribute to urban sustainability through the provision of ecosystem services using a social-ecological approach. The study builds upon prior work at this site led by the San Juan Urban Long Term Research Area (ULTRA) Collaborative Network and addressed the following overarching question: Which social-ecological factors could be influencing the vegetation structure and composition of the Río Piedras Watershed residential yards and their associated ecosystem services and disservices across the watershed? The work combines social and ecological data collected from household and yard surveys following ULTRA’s long-term stratified sampling scheme of households via a convenient-based recruitment. Household surveys used semi-structured questionnaires implemented in 2011 and 2014 evaluated resident values and attitudes towards residential vegetation and their associated ecosystem services and how these may influence the structure and composition of yard vegetation across the watershed. This study took advantage of vegetation surveys implemented before and after the 2017 hurricane season to evaluate the influence of hurricane disturbances on yard vegetation. Main findings highlight that self-reporting of resident attitudes toward yard trees are generally positive with residents emphasizing ecosystem services over disservices, and varied according to differences in the spatial context of trees and residents. Models show that positive attitudes at the household scale may explain some of the variation in the number of yard trees. Residents also self-reported positive attitudes towards native plants mainly driven by sense of place, and expressed preference towards certain plant traits (i.e., habit, size) and ecosystem services. Findings also show that large-scale hurricane disturbances can have immediate effects on yard vegetation structure and composition and be an important driver of the provision of ecosystem services in addition to the stated social factors. In this work it is argued that understanding how social and ecological factors interact locally to influence yard vegetation provides a better idea of what elements of the vegetation may provide functions of local value and promote sustainability.
... The urban trees and forest play a significant role in improving the urban environment and safeguard biodiversity (Dwyer, Nowak, & Noble, 2003;Nowak et al., 2001). Trees and forests have many important meanings to urban residents (John et al., 1991;Coles & Bussey, 2000). ...
... In Ethiopia, the expansion of urban centres is increasing at an alarming rate. As a result, the degradation of environmental and natural resources has been increasing over time (Dwyer et al., 2003;Ministry of Works and Urban Development, 2006). Several studies have been conducted in Ethiopia concerning the value of urban trees and forests (Shikur, 2012) but they did not address very well the influence of people's socioeconomic characteristics on the perceived benefit of urban trees and forest. ...
Urban trees and urban forests play important roles in the ecology of human habitats and the wider environment. However, these roles may be undermined by the community and resulting decline in urban forest cover over time. This study analyses the value of trees and forests in improving the urban environment and assesses the awareness level of communities of the value of trees and forests in Hawassa City, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey design was applied and data were obtained from a structured questionnaire survey of 200 respondents and from twenty-two interviews with key stakeholders. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and multiple linear regression models. Educational level and an annual income of the residents had strongly significant (p = 0.000) association with the awareness level of residents of the value of urban trees and forest. About 99% of the respondents noted that trees and forest have shading and cooling effects, 93% perceived trees as for recreational value, and 88% of them stated that trees and forests are important for city beautification. The chi-square test showed that there is a significant difference between forest-related services users and non-users. Multiple regression models indicated that sex, age, annual income and education level were found statistically significant (p = 0.000) and positively affect respondents’ level of understanding about the value of urban trees and forest in improving the urban environment. Urban trees and forests have also played crucial roles, around reducing Urban Heat Island effect, improving shading and cooling services and reducing soil erosion, and this was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Lack of awareness on the use of urban trees and forest, limited public support for urban green infrastructure, poor policy and strategic guidance were found to be influential factors affecting the management of urban trees and forest. Rapid city-expansion has also contributed to lesser understanding and poor management practices of urban trees and forest. This implies that comprehensive inventories of urban trees and forest resources across the city should be conducted using geospatial technologies. Thus, systematic and integrated stakeholder involvement is crucial to address those issues at local, regional and national levels.
... The use of smart technologies in managing green spaces such as environmental sensors, is an efficient tool in monitoring and analyzing factors such a pollution levels, temperature fluctuation, as well as urban irrigation to address urban planning strategies that can improve environmental health depending on the urban resources, policy design, and infrastructure to be established (Hui et al., 2023). However, to further strategize management plans for the integration of UGS, a wider perspective must be taken into consideration, looking into the perception of the residents, service flows, and the long-term benefits for the people and the environment (Britt & Johnston, 2008;Dwyer et al., 2003). These strategic plans must include coordination with city officials and stakeholders in addressing core elements of UGS planning and management such as resourcing, inventory, and proper monitoring and management methods for optimal implementation (Miller, 1997;Johnston & Rushton, 1998;Randrup, 2000;Konijnendijk et al., 2005;Britt & Johnston, 2008;Urban, 2008;Chishaleshale et al., 2015;Hui et al., 2023). ...
Megacities house the highest human population due to centralizing economic activities, causing congestion and increased settlements in urban areas. As a result of continuous urbanization in developing countries, access to urban green spaces (UGS) is continuously decreasing, affecting urban settlers' quality of life as UGS provides a wide variety of ecosystem services such as mitigation of climate change effects and as recreational sites for human wellbeing. An example of megacities undergoing the impact of urbanization is Metropolitan Manila, the National Capital Region of the Philippines. To determine the spatiotemporal changes in a megacity, satellite images from USGS Landsat 5 and 8 ranging from 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, to 2023 were analyzed using ArcMap 10.8. The remotely sensed images were preprocessed using atmospheric corrections, ensuring the quality of the images. Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) maps of the cities were used to quantify the vegetation in the urban areas. They were calculated using landscape metrics, which were assessed for accuracy using the Kappa Coefficient. A drastic decrease in UGS was detected in almost two decades (2005–2023) as urban expansion occurred in the area. In addition, the UGS area was used to calculate the UGS per Capita, using the total population census per city. Concerning the recommended UGS per Capita from the World Health Organization in urban areas, all the cities were below the recommended index value, thus having unequal access to UGS quantitatively and qualitatively. As the population increases throughout the years, UGS per capita decreases in all 17 cities. This phenomenon in megacities emphasizes the need for prioritizing further establishment, management, and protection of the remaining UGS in the megacity, giving importance to future urban planning and policy-making for a more sustainable future of urban areas, most especially for the welfare and betterment of the state in developing countries.
... In terms of dynamics, the development of urban forest resources takes place in the context of much more powerful and rapid human-induced forces for change. The combination of all these characteristics makes urban forest management particularly complex and challenging (Dwyer et al., 2003). The aim of this thesis is therefore to investigate the implementation of coherent strategies for the restoration and promotion of green spaces in the city of Bukavu. ...
Purpose: Demographic explosion is a common phenomenon in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in the city of Bukavu, where more than 1.6 million inhabitants live in 60 km², following the rural exodus due to insecurity in rural areas. This situation has led to deforestation, resulting in the destruction of most of the old green spaces, exposing the city to higher risks of flooding, erosion, landslides and loss of biodiversity, among other environmental problems. This study aims to understand the population's perception of deforestation in Bukavu, and to inform policy makers on how to restore urban forests. Methodology: To collect data for this study, we sampled and interviewed 210 informants, with 70 informants in each of the three communes of Bukavu: Kadutu, Ibanda and Bagira. Findings: The vast majority of informants are in favor of restoring green spaces (85%). At least 72.9% of them recognize that green spaces are important for air purification, environmental improvement, ornamentation, erosion control, biodiversity conservation and food production (in the case of fruit trees). They agree that the vegetation cover has decreased, especially since the 2000s, mainly due to the rural exodus and unregulated housing construction (81.9%). The population is aware that they are the main beneficiaries of green spaces (87.1% of informants) and accuse the government of being the main destroyer of green spaces and that it should be the main actor in their restoration. At the same time, residents recognize their share of responsibility for the destruction and restoration of urban green spaces, but consider it to be less than that of the government. In order to restore green spaces, they suggested tree planting initiatives (51.7%), with a preference for Eucalyptus sp., Cupressus lusitanica, ornamental and medicinal trees. Awareness raising and planned urbanization are among the strategies proposed to restore these spaces. A unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The results of this study pave the way for a multidimensional understanding of climate adaptation, and demonstrate the need for a collective awakening of all stakeholders and the full mobilization of all actors in the quest to restore green spaces in the city of Bukavu for a healthier environment.
... Urban forests are the main resource that provides ecosystem services to urban residents [1], by providing various benefits, including economic, social, ecological, and environmental contributions, as well as ecosystem services [2]. Furthermore, they provide a variety of ecosystem goods and services that can improve the quality of life of urban residents [3] and exert recovery effects on human health [4], including alleviating depression and anxiety levels, relieving stress, and attention recovery [5]. Urban forests can also provide significant ecosystem services, such as reducing urban heat [6], removing air pollution [7], reducing noise, and regulating the microclimate [8], and function as biological indicators in the urban area. ...
Urban forests play a vital role in maintaining the city ecological balance and providing ecosystem services to citizens. Ecosystem services lead to better quality of life, better environmental quality, and more sustainable urban growth. However, many emerging nations have often progressed at the price of lowering and sacrificing forest coverage, which has a negative impact on the benefits that the public receives from natural green spaces. As a result, the goals of this research were to ascertain visitor impressions of urban forests in Kuala Lumpur, to assess the value assigned by visitors to urban forests in Kuala Lumpur, and to investigate the elements that impact the willingness to pay. A questionnaire-based field study was conducted on a total of 254 respondents among Taman Tugu Urban Forest visitors, Kuala Lumpur. The results show that visitor perceptions of regulating services, cultural services, and supporting services were positive, with high-level score values of 4.74, ±0.40, 4.69, ±0.37, and 4.70, ±0.50. Furthermore, provisioning services were perceived to be of moderately high level (3.49, ±1.12), and visitor perceptions of urban forest amenities were positive, with high-level scores (4.39, ±0.53). Overall, this indicates that visitors had a very good perception of Taman Tugu Urban Forest ecosystem services. However, when we looked at the factors that contributed to the willingness to pay for the conservation of urban forests and entry, only the perception of the amenities provided at Taman Tugu had a significant relationship with the willingness to pay. A total of 79.1% of visitors expressed their willingness to pay, for forest conservation , an average payment value of MYR 51.32 per year, while 65% of visitors were willing to pay, as entry fees at urban forests, an average payment value of MYR 3.07 per person. It can be concluded that visitors had a positive perception of urban forests in Kuala Lumpur and were willing to contribute for conservation and entry fee purposes. We hope that the findings of this research contribute to a better understanding of urban forest ecosystem services in Kuala Lumpur and visitor perception. In addition, this study could also be useful to policy makers to formulate a specific policy focus on urban forests by comprehensively and holistically including the monetary value of the ecosystem services provided, considering public opinion and needs, and performing financial allocation for conserving and managing urban forests. This is to ensure that the urban sustainable development goals and smart city aims can be achieved.
... Trees can also reduce stress and improve health outcomes [1,4]. These benefits are amplified when urban forests are managed [5], and that management primarily happens at the municipal level. ...
Municipalities across the United States have varied available resources to manage urban forests, resulting in substantial differences in urban forestry services and outcomes. This article reviews 32 survey-based studies that characterize U.S. municipal urban forest management program dimensions, including program components; needs and barriers; knowledge of and attitudes toward urban forests; and plans and priorities for future management. Such information is critical for agencies that support local urban forest management efforts but has not previously been systematically gathered and condensed. Based on the limited national, regional, and state-level data published in peer-reviewed journals, we find that the number of municipal urban forestry programs appears to be increasing, many communities have at least one tree ordinance, and larger communities are more likely to have an official program. However, evidence suggests that few municipalities have an urban forest inventory or management plan, and most require additional financial, political, public, or educational support. More research on urban forestry program status, needed support, and local knowledge is needed as knowledge gaps remain regarding the influence of metropolitan areas and resident demographics on the presence and extent of municipal urban forestry programs. Additionally, few studies have investigated future municipal urban forestry-related intentions and priorities.
... On the other hand, by allowing for an expression of site-specific conditions and spatial context, local factors mediating UF-NBS function and associated benefits may be reflected more systematically, with potential overlaps of UF-NBS with UGS and GBI being uncovered. By further expressing individual UF-NBS properties regarding vegetational structure, choice of tree species, tree age, or amount of greenery, etc., standardized UF-NBS inventories may be built that, based on a common language, depict the actual heterogeneity and diversity of UF-NBS and their embedding into the urban fabric to assist assessment, management, planning, and informed decision-making (Zürcher, 2017) as key to sustainable urban forestry (Dwyer et al., 2003). Thereby, the perception of UF-NBS as social-ecological systems (SES) is also being stressed. ...
Urban forests as nature-based solutions (UF-NBS) are important tools for climate change adaptation and sustainable development. However, achieving both effective and sustainable UF-NBS solutions requires diverse knowledge. This includes knowledge on UF-NBS implementation, on the assessment of their environmental impacts in diverse spatial contexts, and on their management for the long-term safeguarding of delivered benefits. A successful integration of such bodies of knowledge demands a systematic understanding of UF-NBS. To achieve such an understanding, this paper presents a conceptual UF-NBS model obtained through a semantic, trait-based modelling approach. This conceptual model is subsequently implemented as an extendible, re-usable and interoperable ontology. In so doing, a formal, trait-based vocabulary on UF-NBS is created, that allows expressing spatial, morphological, physical, functional, and institutional UF-NBS properties for their typification and a subsequent integration of further knowledge and data. Thereby, ways forward are opened for a more systematic UF-NBS impact assessment, management, and decision-making.
... Despite the increasing recognition of the roles that urban forests play, recent work indicates they are declining throughout the United States (Nowak and Greenfield, 2018). However, intentional planning for and maintenance of urban forests can help sustain and expand them through the long term (Dwyer and Nowak, 2003). Targeted planning of the resource with engagement of stakeholders can ultimately set off a virtuous cycle, or a self-reinforcing feedback loop in which acting for the conservation of the resource ultimately supports its long-term conservation through ongoing commitment (Morrison, 2016). ...
Urban forests are critical infrastructure for mitigating environmental and social challenges cities face. Municipalities and non-governmental entities, among others, often set goals (e.g., tree planting or canopy targets) to support urban forests and their benefits. We focus on canopy goals and develop conceptual underpinnings for an analysis of where additional canopy, as one important dimension of the urban forest, can fit within the landscape, while considering factors that influence where trees can be planted and where canopy can grow-'practical canopy.' We apply this in New York City (NYC) to inform the setting of a canopy goal by the NYC Urban Forest Task Force (UFTF) for the NYC Urban Forest Agenda, which may trigger a virtuous cycle that supports the urban forest there. We further develop framing for a 'priority canopy' analysis to understand where urban forest expansion should be prioritized given more context (e.g., environmental hazards, local preferences), which can inform how expansion of the urban forest is achieved. We estimate an opportunity for 15,899 ha of new canopy in NYC given existing opportunities and constraints (practical canopy), which, if leveraged, could result in nearly doubling the canopy as of 2017 (17,253 ha). However, like existing canopy, practical canopy is not evenly distributed, in general, or across jurisdictions and land uses. Relying solely on areas identified as practical canopy to expand the urban forest would exacerbate inequities in its distribution. We discuss how the NYC UFTF established an aspirational but achievable goal of 30% canopy cover by 2035, which was informed by this analysis and guided by priorities of equity, health, and resilience. Achievement of this goal will ultimately require a combination of protecting and stewarding the existing resource, and leveraging opportunities for tree planting. Achieving a more equitable urban forest will also require identification of priority canopy, and, in cases, creation of new opportunities for tree planting and canopy expansion. Overall, the collaborative establishment of such goals based on local context can be instrumental in creating a virtuous cycle, moving conservation actors toward exercising influence and agency within the social ecological system.
... condições, onde a infraestrutura urbana é praticamente inexistente, áreas verdes não são prioritárias, nem cogitadas(LOBODA e ANGELIS, 2005). Entretanto, a infra estrutura verde das cidades, formada pela arborização e, ou por florestas urbanas é de expressiva relevância para o bem estar da população(ALVEY, 2006;DWYER, 2003). Dados revelam a existência de mais de 760 comunidades que vivem em favelas no município do Rio de Janeiro e até o momento são raros os estudos sobre a relação entre a questão ecológica e os fatores socioambientais.O conhecimento sobre a composição, estrutura física e fitossociológica da arborização urbana é bem relevante, por atender a função estética, social e ecológica (DWYER, op. ...
... State and federal U&CF programs use their existing capacity to increase the ability or capacity locally to develop and expand urban forestry programs and activities (Hauer 2006). Ideally, sustainable local programs result (Clark et al. 1997;Dwyer et al. 2003;Elmendorf et al. 2003;USDA-FS 2004a;Hauer 2005;Hauer and Johnson 2007). ...
This study investigated changes in state urban and community forestry (U&CF) programs since expansion of the federal U&CF program in 1990. Baseline data from 1986 compared with state U&CF program data in 2002 demonstrated significant expansion in state U&CF program capacity and assistance to local urban forestry efforts within the 50 United States. Use of Federal Cooperative Forestry Assistance Grants more than doubled, two additional state U&CF staff were employed within the program, time allocated to statewide coordination and regional implementation of the U&CF program approximately doubled, and a 111% national increase in the amount of state money used to finance the program occurred. In contrast, a similar minority of state coordinators in 1986 (40%) and 2002 (42%) believed adequate attention was given by the state agency housing the U&CF program. State coordinators in 2002 also had a similar outlook on the long-term future through expansion, reduction, or elimination of the state U&CF program reported in 1986 with slightly over 60% in both years believing expansion will occur. A significantly similar percentage of state U&CF program coordinators in 2002 (68%) compared with 1986 (77%) thought the state U&CF program would continue if federal funding was eliminated, however with a reduction in local assistance. Study findings suggest many positive changes in state U&CF program capacity occurred between 1986 and 2002 with various indicators suggesting dependence within some states on federal funding to maintain their current capacity.
... According to Dwyer, Nowak and Noble (2003), the urban forests have a special significance for the improvement of living conditions of the residents in urban areas. They support the opinion that sustainability is very important for forest management in urban areas and conclude that new information should be the basis of urban management activities. ...
The importance of protected areas rich in forest ecosystems rapidly grows. Forests in parks become recreation centres for cities near protected areas having strong health function. Thus, also Medvednica Nature Park near Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is frequently used as lungs of the city. The research presented in this article aims to valorise the health function of the Forest Ecosystem Service (FES) in the Nature Park and develop the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) methodology to be used for the assessment of the introduction of the entrance fee payment for the Park. The article provides a methodological framework for validation of health function of the forest ecosystem of the Medvednica Nature Park. It also brings a socio-economic assessment of the health function of the forests in the Park. The measurement results and assessments emphasize the need to raise public awareness of health benefits of FES and FES in general.
... However, in many developed and developing areas, forests are targeted for conservation not for their benefits to human health but because of their importance in conserving biodiversity [11,12]. The difference in drivers behind forest conservation may cause potential conflicts as, often, protected areas and green spaces lose conservation value as they become more accessible to humans [13,14] Sustainable management of forests has various definitions in the literature but broadly encompasses the core goal of maintaining ecological functionality (i.e., biodiversity, productivity) while promoting community benefits (i.e., economic, social) [15,16]. To maintain ecological functionality, some forests across the Northeast of the United States have been managed and classified as protected areas. ...
Forests provide valuable ecosystem services to individuals that live near them and visit them. However, many forests, especially in highly developed areas, are specifically managed for resource conservation purposes. A common practice for conservation is restricting access to people to ensure minimal human-driven harm. While the restriction of human access to a forest increases its biological ecosystem services, it limits its cultural services and may reduce the public’s perceived value of the forest. To investigate how access influences the perceived value of a forest, two forests in the state of New Jersey, USA, were compared. The forests, the Rutgers Ecological Preserve (RUEP) and Hutcheson Memorial Forest (HMF), represent accessible and inaccessible forests respectively. The study reported here evaluated the effects of visitation and accessibility on public perception of both sites. Residents near the RUEP and HMF, and visitors of both sites, were surveyed (n = 48). The results of the surveys demonstrated that the frequency of visitation and community location can have noticeable influences on a number of variables, including one’s belief that forests provide important services and the thought that protected areas take away from an individual’s freedom to use the area. A more positive view of the forests was present in those who visited the public forest most often
... Urban forests may constitute important biodiversity hotspot for wide range of organisms (see Alvey, 2006 for short review) even standing out from its rural surroundings (Stewart et al., 2004). Due to variation in land use, land ownership and management objectives, urban forests are characterized by overall high diversity, which can be seen over a wide range of tree species and its size, ground cover, and disturbance level (Dwyer et al., 2003). Moreover, in contrast to the general background of forests, species of deciduous forests are well represented in urban parks (Jokimäki, 1999). ...
Urban forests are important hotspots of biodiversity in the environment of cities and their surroundings but may also stand out from neighbouring forests by greater tree species diversity, higher tree age and greater share of deciduous species. However, they are usually not connected with nesting of rare birds of prey, especially dietary specialists. Unexpectedly, I have found Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus nesting in such a forest in a 300,000-inhabitant city in North-Eastern Poland. The male of this pair was caught and fitted with a global positioning system logger. Using a tree cover density raster, I show that both for nesting and foraging, Honey Buzzards preferred dense canopies. Even with anthropogenic disturbance, the urban forest still offered the best conditions (greatest tree cover) for this specialist species in a 10 km radius. This finding shows that the advantages of some features of urban forests (deciduous character, dense canopy) can overcome disadvantages of the urban environment even for rare, large raptors. Also tree cover density seems a promising indicator of biodiversity in urban forests and should be tested in larger studies.
... Information on sustainability patterns are essential tools to evaluate urban forest landscape health (Clark et al. 1997, McPherson 1998, Dwyer & Nowak 2003. In this study, we quantified various weights of sustainability of landscape recreation and eco-conservation index including patch index and corridor index. ...
Urban forests are important as they provide recreation areas and offer ecological services. Both functions determine the status of an urban forest and reflect contradictory aspects of forest tourism development and environment conservation. However, assessment of urban forest health status at a landscape scale remains scarce. Here, we selected the Nanguo Peach Garden, China, as the study area. Urban forest health status at the landscape scale were classified into recreation and eco-conservation services. Sustainability was quantified using the principal component analysis and the Kriging method to map the landscape classification in the study area. With regard to landscape recreation sustainability, some 18.9% of the total study region was classified as “very good”. They were mainly distributed in the north, southwest, and southeast parts of the study area. The central and southeast regions, accounting for 9.5% of the total area, were classified as “very good” for eco-conservation sustainability. Regarding landscape health, the region classified as “very good” accounted for 11.1% of the total study area, and it was mainly distributed in the southern part of the area; the region classified as “very poor” accounted for 16.4% of the total area, and it was located in the northwestern and eastern parts of the study area. With improved landscape health status, the forest/non-forest patch area ratio was increased and the patch number ratio was decreased. A landscape was considered the healthiest when the forest/ non-forest area ratio was 0.65 and the patch number was 0.48. The spatial distribution of landscape recreation sustainability and eco-conservation sustainability differed in the Nanguo Peach Garden, and a close relationship was observed between the landscape health and forest landscape internal structure. Forest/non-forest patch area ratios and patch number ratios were relatively stable and constant, suggesting the urban forest landscapes were healthy. The healthiest forest landscapes were mainly distributed in the forest/non-forest transition zone and the unhealthiest forest landscape was mainly located in a single natural forest.
... Cordell et al. (1984) identified urban forestry in parks or squares, both commercial and residential pathways, green belts, and other urban sites. Urban forestry is also defined in terms of maintaining healthy and functional vegetation and associated systems that provide long term benefits desired by the community, with an emphasis on the role of people who manage and use the urban forest in providing for its sustainability (Dwyer et al. 2003). ...
We identified relationships between ecosystem services provided by trees and environmental variables, including temperature (° C at ground level and 1.5 m), relative humidity (%), particulate matter (PM10, maximum and average), noise (dBA), and ultraviolet radiation (UV at 1.5 m). This study was carried out in Talca, Chile, a mid-sized city. Measurement locations were selected in three areas based along three main avenues in the center of the city during three different
seasons and three different schedules of day, generating 15,515 data in total. In circular plots, with 8 meter radiuses, measurements were recorded at the center and at a point on the perimeter. A correlation matrix was calculated and an ANOVA was conducted with canopy cover, schedule of day, and season as variation sources. The results show a high dispersion, and the correlation matrix that canopy coverage has a weak relationship with variables was studied. The results of the ANOVA showed the least number of significant differences associated with the canopy cover, schedule of day, and season, which showed significant differences for all variables. Tree coverage showed significant differences for all variables using the Tukey Test, with the exception of minimum noise. Plots with greater coverage were associated with increases in the particulate matter and relative humidity and decreases in maximum noise, temperature,
and ultraviolet radiation. During mornings, the highest measurements of particulate matter, noise, and relative humidity were reported, whereas temperature maximums occurred at mid-day. The results confirm the importance of urban trees, specifically the canopy coverage, in mitigating negative environmental aspects in urban areas.
Keywords. Ecosystems Services; Humidity; Noise; Solar Radiation; Temperature; Tree Canopy.
... A "sustainable urban forest" in this context refers to maintaining an approximately consistent level (or increasing level) of a particular structural parameter such as canopy cover, stocking level or number of trees (Fig. 5A), or of the urban forest benefits provided (cf. Clark et al., 1997;Dwyer et al., 2003). Because of the way tree structure is connected to function and benefits, the largest trees in the urban forest provide the most benefits and since tree mortality is highest for planted trees during the establishment period just after transplanting, sustaining an optimized level of urban forest benefits through time involves maintaining a diverse species assemblage and appropriate distribution of trees of different sizes and ages ( Fig. 6; after Richards, 1983). ...
... A sustainable urban forest has been defined as "the naturally occurring and planted trees in cities which are managed to provide the inhabitants with a continuing level of economic, social, environmental and ecological benefits today and into the future" (Clark et al., 1997). The sustainability of urban forests is therefore dictated by their ongoing ability to deliver benefits and their resilience to current and future pressures, such as climate change, pests and diseases and new political and social changes, which themselves depend on the way urban forests are valued and managed and how their overall structure, composition and health are maintained (Dwyer et al., 2003;Raupp et al., 2006;Mincey et al., 2013). However, information on urban trees in Britain is seldom fully documented at the local level and even when this information is known by local authorities it frequently only covers trees in public land (Britt and Johnston, 2008). ...
Urban trees are instrumental in providing ecosystem services to urban society. However, they are subject to many pressures linked to harsh site conditions created by the urban environment, climate change, attack by pests and diseases and the political and social influences that control how urban trees are perceived and managed. An ongoing provision of services from all trees within an urban area (known as the urban forest) can only be achieved through high resilience to these pressures. This study aims to examine the current state of composition, condition and structure of 12 urban forests across Great Britain, by reviewing data collected from i-Tree Eco city or town-wide surveys and recommending a framework to rate their sustainability. The study shows that urban forests are hardy to local winter temperatures and in good health, but lack in large size trees and tree species diversity. Also, several urban forests offer small percentage canopy cover. The wider application of this framework and the creation of detailed tree strategies could help local authorities to establish management strategies, set goals and monitor progress towards achieving greater sustainability.
... Therefore, to manage the urban forest effectively, periodic inventories are needed to ensure that information about the urban forest is current and comprehensive. This process involves the collection of information including type, number, and distribution of trees, with the associated factors of their health, size, and age (Dwyer et al., 2003;Nowak and Greenfield, 2018). Kenney et al. (2011) emphasize that urban forest health is best viewed as a composite of a large number of factors, including tree canopy metrics, but also species suitability and distribution, age distribution of trees, the completeness of tree inventories, and a tree risk management assessment among many other factors. ...
Urban forests are dynamic and change in response to both human and natural forces. To effectively monitor and manage urban forests, periodic inventories are needed to ensure that information about them is current and comprehensive. This task has traditionally been accomplished by manual ground-based field surveys, or more recently using GIS techniques utilizing remote sensing products, especially lidar. Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) employing Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques have the potential to augment these sources for urban forest inventories. We present the results of an analysis of approximately 1000 urban trees and compare accuracy in the measurement of tree heights and diameters from manual measurements, lidar, and Structure from Motion (SfM) from UAV-based imaging. Results indicate that in an urban environment, the SfM method produces estimates of tree height (R² = 0.96; RMSE =1.91 m) and diameter (R² = 0.98; RMSE =3 cm) comparable to manual field measurement, and better than those derived from conventional aerial lidar. In addition, the gains in accuracy from SfM come largely from younger, smaller trees that are often poorly imaged with lidar.
... Modern urban forest management must be characterised by public participation, reflecting that urban forest management does not depend solely on the technical expertise of a few municipal workers, but a varied set of stakeholders (Ordóñez & Duinker, 2013). Important studies of urban forest management have focused on budget issues (Kenney & Idziak, 2000), zoning and regulation (Stone, 2004), community programmes (Kuhns, Lee, & Reiter, 2005), social benefits like improved hospital recovery times and reduced crime rates (Troy, Grove, & O'Neil-Dunne, 2012;Ulrich et al., 1991), policies (Conway & Urbani, 2007;Dwyer, Nowak, & Noble, 2003;Ottitsch & Krott, 2005;Young, 2010) and urban forest programmes (Barker & Kenney, 2012;Seamans, 2013). ...
... F.; and 85% were classified as "1″, i.e. without any damage to the wiring. Other conflicts with the urban infrastructure, such as pavement -which in this case was not measured by the absence of trees on sidewalks -damage to the wiring and residential heritage, tend to be one of the most important and questionable issues in urban afforestation (Dwyer et al., 2003). ...
More than half of the world's population inhabit urban areas, causing significant environmental changes. In underdeveloped countries this fact is expressed in a chaotic manner, generating social and structural problems. The city of Rio de Janeiro is a megalopolis known worldwide for its natural beauties, including beaches and forests and because of favelas (subnormal clusters of houses of economically poor people).The favelas are composed of a mosaic of cultures which reflects even in urban afforestation. In this work we characterize the afforestation structure of a favela to understand its ecological and social functionalities. The survey was conducted in the favela Morro da Formiga, with an area of approximately 30 ha. It was conducted through a census and using the list of species, a classification based on 11 parameters was carried out. 1,042 individuals were found, belonging to 110 genera, 148 species and 42 families. The most abundant species shows that the planters intend is, leastwise partially, generating an extra-support for community in terms of feeding fruits (62% of the subjects had this purpose). In relation to the nature thereof, the natives species represents 54% of the total, while the exotic species 39%. About 50% of the trees are in the backyards of houses and a few in squares and streets. It was found that 70% of individuals were planted by residents. Studies are needed to identify which native species can replace community demands currently supplied by exotic species that have been used for decades. The “forestation” in favelas is quite distinct from that implemented by the city hall in more urbanized areas. In favelas, the species reflect more about the knowledge of the local population, their backgrounds and needs.
... Obtaining spatially explicit data on tree species composition can lead to improved management of biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services related to air and water quality (Dwyer, Nowak, and Noble 2003;Karlson et al. 2016). Tree species information is traditionally derived via field survey or aerial interpretation (Pu and Landry 2012), which is time-consuming and quite limited for broad-scale tree species mapping. ...
The long-standing goal of discriminating tree species at the crown-level from high spatial resolution imagery remains challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether combining (a) high spatial resolution multi-temporal images from different phenological periods (spring, summer and autumn), and (b) leaf-on LiDAR height and intensity data can enhance the ability to discriminate the species of individual tree crowns of red oak (Quercus rubra), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and black cherry (Prunus serotina) in the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia, USA. We used RandomForest models to measure a loss of classification accuracy caused by iteratively removing from the classification one or more groups from six groups of variables: spectral reflectance from all multispectral bands in the (1) spring, (2) summer, and (3) autumn images, (4) vegetation indices derived from the three multispectral datasets, (5) canopy height and intensity from the LiDAR imagery, and (6) texture related variables from the panchromatic and LiDAR datasets. We also used ANOVA and decision tree analyses to elucidate how the multispectral and LiDAR datasets combine to help discriminate tree species based on their unique phenological, spectral, textural, and crown architectural traits. From these results, we conclude that combing high spatial resolution multi-temporal satellite data with LiDAR datasets can enhance the ability to discriminate tree species at the crown level.
... These initiatives became the predominant urban strategy for using green infrastructure, or land and water resources, as a climate adaptation strategy (Amati & Taylor, 2010;Young, 2011). Trees contribute to green infrastructure in a myriad of ways: they enhance air, water, and soil quality; mitigate water flows and surface temperatures; protect habitats; and provide a host of recreational, psychological, and real estate benefits (Dwyer, Nowak, & Noble, 2003). However, empirical increases in urban tree cover are negligible, and the increases that have occurred have largely followed rises in real estate values, raising questions about equity (Schwarz et al., 2015). ...
I conduct an ethnography of the public policy processes around urban environmental governance in Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; and Baltimore, MD. In particular, I examine the structure and functioning of the public policy networks of the urban tree initiatives in order to investigate the expanding role of NGOs in public service delivery, especially related to sustainability and climate adaptation. This study concludes that urban partnerships often lack network structures that exhibit the centralization and hierarchy to roll out public programs smoothly. An overly horizontal structure leads to overlaps and gaps in management functions. Inadequate hierarchical control by public agencies increases the likelihood of gridlocks in service delivery. From an urban governance perspective, the prominent role of NGOs increases accountability of the public programs in certain limited capacities, while it creates systemic risks that compromise their legitimacy in ways that merit further investigation.
... While many functions and benefits of urban forests are linked to tree size, height and appearance of the crown, stored carbon in mostly a function of tree bole. In the broadest sense, the bigger and healthier the tree, the greater the carbon storage potential of urban trees over time (Dwyer et al., 2003;McHale et al., 2007;McPherson and Peper, 2012). ...
Decayed wood is a common issue in urban trees that deteriorates tree vitality over time, yet its effect on biomass yield therefore stored carbon has been overlooked. We mapped the occurrence and calculated the extent of decayed wood in standing Ulmus procera, Platanus × acerifolia and Corymbia maculata trees. The main stem of 43 trees was measured every metre from the ground to the top by two skilled arborists. All trees were micro-drilled in two to four axes at three points along the stem (0.3 m, 1.3 m, 2.3 m), and at the tree's live crown. A total of 300 drilling profiles were assessed for decay. Simple linear regression analysis tested the correlation of decayed wood (cm 2) against a vitality index and stem DBH. Decay was more frequent and extensive in U. procera, than P. acerifolia and least in C. maculata. Decay was found to be distributed in three different ways in the three different genera. For U. procera, decay did appear to be distributed as a column from the base to the live crown; whereas, decay was distributed as a cone-shape in P. acerifolia and was less likely to be located beyond 2.3 m. In C. maculata decay was distributed as pockets of variable shape and size. The vitality index showed a weak but not significant correlation with the proportion of decayed wood for P. acerifolia and C. maculata but not for U. procera. However, in U. procera, a strong and significant relationship was found between DBH and stem volume loss (R 2 = 0.8006, P = 0.0046, n = 15). The actual volume loss ranged from 0.17 to 0.75 m 3 , equivalent to 5%-25% of the stem volume. The carbon loss due to decayed wood for all species ranged between 69-110 kg per tree. Based on model's calculation, the stem volume of U. procera trees with DBH ≥ 40 cm needs to be discounted by a factor of 13% due to decayed wood regardless of the vitality index. Decayed wood reduces significantly the tree's standing volume and needs to be considered to better assess the carbon storage potential of urban forests.
... Forest education contributes to the awareness of common people regarding forest protection measures. The social functions of forests are difficult to measure and can vary considerably among countries (DWYER et al. 2003). In Poland and other developed, post-industrial societies, the benefits of forests for recreation and amenity values may be most important, while in developing countries, the area of forests available for subsistence activities or the number of people employed in the sector may be a better indication of their social value. ...
Kudypy Forest District lies in the Province of Warmia and Mazury, in the vicinity of Olsztyn, the capital city of the province. The surface area of this District is almost 18 thousand ha. Kudypy Forest District belongs to the Forest Promotional Complex called the Olsztyn Forests, which covers the areas of two forest districts: Kudypy and Olsztyn. Kudypy Forest District is composed of 13 forestries and the Forest Arboretum of Warmia and Mazury, which is the main educational fascility. Arboretum is also the main attraction for visitors. Kudypy Forest District has created three educational trails along key features. There are also jogging and nordic-walking trails set up in Kudypy Forest District. The outdoor classrooms are situated in four forestries. The most popular type of educational activities accomplished by Kudypy Forest District in 2012-2015 were field lessons and guided trips. The engagement of Kudypy Forest District's employees in forest education generates beneficial outcomes. The interest among children and their participation in various forms of recreation and forest education has risen over the past years in connection with increasing of the number of the Forest Distirict's employees involved in the organization of such recreational and educational activities. The participation of adult persons has remained on a stable and relatively high level.
... While many functions and benefits of urban forests are linked to tree size, height and appearance of the crown, stored carbon in mostly a function of tree bole. In the broadest sense, the bigger and healthier the tree, the greater the carbon storage potential of urban trees over time (Dwyer et al., 2003;McHale et al., 2007;McPherson and Peper, 2012). ...
Decayed wood is a common issue in urban trees that deteriorates tree vitality over time, yet its effect on biomass yield therefore stored carbon has been overlooked. We mapped the occurrence and calculated the extent of decayed wood in standing Ulmus procera, Platanus × acerifolia and Corymbia maculata trees. The main stem of 43 trees was measured every metre from the ground to the top by two skilled arborists. All trees were micro-drilled in two to four axes at three points along the stem (0.3 m, 1.3 m, 2.3 m), and at the tree's live crown. A total of 300 drilling profiles were assessed for decay. Simple linear regression analysis tested the correlation of decayed wood (cm²) against a vitality index and stem DBH. Decay was more frequent and extensive in U. procera, than P. acerifolia and least in C. maculata. Decay was found to be distributed in three different ways in the three different genera. For U. procera, decay did appear to be distributed as a column from the base to the live crown; whereas, decay was distributed as a cone-shape in P. acerifolia and was less likely to be located beyond 2.3 m. In C. maculata decay was distributed as pockets of variable shape and size. The vitality index showed a weak but not significant correlation with the proportion of decayed wood for P. acerifolia and C. maculata but not for U. procera. However, in U. procera, a strong and significant relationship was found between DBH and stem volume loss (R² = 0.8006, P = 0.0046, n = 15). The actual volume loss ranged from 0.17 to 0.75 m³, equivalent to 5%–25% of the stem volume. The carbon loss due to decayed wood for all species ranged between 69–110 kg per tree. Based on model's calculation, the stem volume of U. procera trees with DBH ≥ 40 cm needs to be discounted by a factor of 13% due to decayed wood regardless of the vitality index. Decayed wood reduces significantly the tree's standing volume and needs to be considered to better assess the carbon storage potential of urban forests.
... Invariably, it is the objectives that have been decided on which will determine the information that needs to be obtained and the amount of detail to be included. In developing a list of objectives, the larger demands of Best Management Practices need to be part of the discussion so the resulting decisions are based on an informed (Dwyer et al. 2003) -and sustainable urban forestry is a pre-requisite for enhancing the ES deliverable. ...
... As described in Figure 2 implemented as experiments to test such hypotheses (Holling, 1978 monitoring, researching, and adjusting the management system is very important (Brody, 2008;Dwyer et al., 2003;Holling, 1995 ...
Urban trees directly help to achieve urban sustainability concept with development activities. On the other hand, study revealed the condition of urban tree which has least concerned and poor management in the Bilaspur city causes higher vandalism. Urban tree managers encounter a unique challenge in addressing this issue, as they are unable to identify the specific tree uniqueness create them more susceptible to vandalism. To gain a deeper comprehension of the factors that influence tree vandalism in the Bilaspur district, observe data from total number 108 samples of 7 sites Science College, Gandhi Chowk, Sepat Chowk, Mangla Chowk, Nehru Chowk, Mandir Chowk, CMD Chowk of tree vandalism. Tree vandalism observed like Nailed, pamphlet, rope, poster, bannered and cemented covered. At all seven locations thirteen tree species were observed and vandalism found in all species. Delonix regia were found at all locations with extreme vandalism condition. A few more things were noted to observe their uses and stages of tree species at various locations. The present learning is capable to find out the various causes of tree vandalisms which ultimate indicated commercial uses of planted urban trees. However, according to the study, urban trees are poorly managed and receive little attention. For this reason, the study intends to offer recommendations to individuals who are in charge of maintaining planted trees in metropolitan regions in regulate to preserve the sustainability in urban environments.
The study assessed the problems and prospects of tree planting in Kano metropolis, employing a mixed-methods approach utilizing both primary and secondary data sources. Simple random sampling was used in selecting LGAs, 180 questionnaires were administered and retrieved using proportional allocation. Data screening, organization, and analysis, including descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were conducted using SPSS version 23. The result revealed demographic characteristics of the respondents, indicating that the age group between 20-30 years had the highest response rate, with 64% of respondents being male and 36% female. Additionally, singles constituted the majority of respondents (64.91%), while urban dwellers accounted for 76.61%. The occupational distribution showed that 39% were business people, with farming and civil service having the lowest representation at 15%. In terms of educational qualifications, HND/BSc holders comprised 38% of the respondents, while FSCL had the lowest representation at 4.7%. The research also identified challenges in tree planting among urban dwellers, including inadequate land, tendering to maturity, lack of public enlightenment, low private World News of Natural Sciences 53 (2024) 186-202-187-involvement, poor government policy, poverty, and insufficient funding and planting materials. These challenges were emphasized with a Likert mean score of 3.025. Solutions include initiatives such as tax breaks, subsidies, and green space regulations can incentivize tree planting, while collaborative efforts involving public-private partnerships and community-based education campaigns are vital for widespread awareness and active involvement. Adequate funding remains a linchpin, and its securing through diverse channels ensures the long-term success of tree planting programs. Effective land use planning, incorporating zoning regulations and strategic establishment of nurseries, further contributes to a resilient and green urban environment. By addressing these facets comprehensively, cities can navigate challenges and cultivate thriving urban forests that benefit both the environment and the well-being of their residents.
Наведено результати досліджень щодо впливу міського середовища на компоненти довкілля паркових екосистем Києва. Серед представників рослинності як індикаційних видів обрано Taraxacum officinale Wigg. (кульбабу лікарську) та Tilia cordata Mill. (липу серцелисту). Здійснено вимірювання вмісту важких металів (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cr та Cd) у зразках ґрунту та листя рослин у межах екосистем парків "Феофанія", Київського політехнічного інституту, Маріїнського, імені Пушкіна та "Нивки". Найвищий рівень забруднення ґрунтів важкими металами виявлено в межах майданчиків парків, розташованих поблизу автомобільних доріг і зупинок громадського транспорту. Найзабрудненішим парком виявився Політехнічний, а найменш забрудненим — "Феофанія". Високі рівні металів, виявлених у зразках ґрунту, не завжди збігалися з їх найвищими рівнями в біомасі листя досліджуваних рослин. З’ясовано, що за фітотоксикологічною класифікацією металів за коефіцієнтом біологічного поглинання (КБП) рослинами у межах досліджуваних паркових екосистем міста Києва Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn та Cr становлять переважно елементи низького поглинання (ІV класу небезпеки) за винятком Маріїнського парку, в межах якого Zn, за величиною КБП, належить до елементів помірного поглинання (ІІІ клас небезпеки). Отримані авторами ряди інтенсивності біологічного поглинання металів рослинами показали достатньо широкий діапазон для різних паркових екосистем, що підтверджує принцип екологічної конгруентності (відповідності), згідно з якою живі складові досліджених екосистем виробили відповідне пристосування, скоординоване абіотичним середовищем. Отримані авторами результати підтвердили необхідність залучення біогеохімічних даних для екологічної оцінки міського середовища та ранньої діагностики негативних змін, коли у рослинах ще не проявилися морфологічні та анатомічні відхилення від норми.
All cities globally are growing considerably as they are experiencing an intensive urbanization process resulting in significant economic, social, and environmental challenges. One of the major risks is the deterioration of living environment in urban areas due to the high soil consumption and pollution of environmental components. For this reason, cities are required to adopt measures to reduce air pollution concentration and CO2 emissions, preserve biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. In this context, tree planting has been suggested as a cost-effective strategy because green infrastructures can provide important environmental and social functions which contribute to the quality of life and health of city dwellers.
Tbilisi is the largest city in Georgia, with a population of over 1,100,000 inhabitants (about 30% of total population of Georgia). The green space availability in Tbilisi (5-6 m² per inhabitant) is low compared to other European cities, and in recent years the need to increase the amount of urban vegetation has been underlined at planning level.
In our study, we implemented for the first time in a Southern Caucasus city the i-Tree Eco model to quantify the main ecosystem services provided by urban forests. Trees in two parks in Tbilisi, Expo Park (694 trees) and Red Park (1027 trees), have been measured and a model simulation was performed for the year 2018. These green infrastructures store large amounts of carbon in their woody tissues (198.4 t for Expo Park and 126.5 t for Red Park) and each year they remove 4.6 and 4.7 t of CO2 for Expo Park and Red Park. They also positively contribute to the air quality by removing 119.6 and 90.3 kg of pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2), and reducing water runoff of 269.5 and 200.5 m³, respectively.
This analysis highlights the key role of urban forests in improving the environmental sustainability of the city of Tbilisi and provides important decision support for tree species selection in this geographic area with the aim of maximizing the benefits trees can supply to cities.
The world population is becoming increasingly urban, with already half of the population living in urban areas and
that proportion is forecast to grow in the nearest future. The effects of this growth are various and include environmental
problems. Perhaps most of the essential steps towards sustainable environment are urban forestry and greening. The urban
environment is ecologically complex, being a product of natural and human induced processes. The urban environment in
Ibadan Metropolis is susceptible to a variety of meteorological hazards whose nature, perception and awareness are discussed
in this paper using empirical data and studies. A simple random technique was employed to get information from the
respondents in the study area. One hundred (100) questionnaires were administered to the respondents to measure their
awareness and perception of urban forestry and greening with its attendant implication for sustainable environment. The
study revealed that dwellers in Ibadan Metropolis are aware of the fact that urban forestry and greening promote and foster
sustainable environment in one way or the other but however no fully involved in the practice of urban forestry and greening.
Hence this study put forward some recommendations such as private institutions involvement in urban forestry and greening,
free tree seedlings distribution, intensification of tree planting campaign particularly in Ibadan Metropolis in order to boost
the practice of urban forestry and greening to its peak.
Urban coppice management is a sustainable form of woodland management. Coppicing has the potential to provide renewable sources of fuel and wood products, increase the biodiversity of urban woodlands, create jobs and volunteering opportunities whilst reducing the carbon footprint of urban communities. Despite these extensive benefits, literature specifically addressing urban coppice management is sparse and, as a practice, it is far from commonplace. This study investigated the potential for increasing urban coppice management in the UK. Two separate research strands assessed the physical woodland resource and the human resource that are both essential for urban coppice management to flourish. First, an evaluation of woodland resources was conducted across twenty-four sites in four urban regions: Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester and Milton Keynes. Seventeen of these sites were identified as having strong potential for urban coppice management. Second, five UK-based urban coppice workers were surveyed, with their responses highlighting that the key challenges for urban coppice workers were earning a fair wage, a lack of coppice industry representation, a lack of understanding of coppice practice, animal browsing of coppice and the costs/stresses of urban living. Common opportunities identified by respondents included social engagement, volunteering and outdoor education, the large potential customer base, and the provision of sustainable produce within a local economy. We conclude by identifying key factors that are likely to affect any expansion of urban coppicing in the UK.
All cities globally are growing considerably as they are experiencing an intensive urbanization process that leads to high soil consumption and pollution of environmental components. For this reason, cities are required to adopt measures to reduce these impacts and tree planting has been suggested as a cost-effective strategy. In our study, we implemented for the first time in a Southern Caucasus city the i-Tree Eco model to quantify the main ecosystem services provided by urban forests. Trees in two parks in Tbilisi, EXPO Park (694 trees) and RED Park (1030 trees), have been measured, and a model simulation was performed for the year 2018. These green infrastructures store large amounts of carbon in their woody tissues (198.4 t for EXPO Park and 126.5 t for RED Park) and each year they sequester 4.6 and 4.7 t of CO2 for EXPO Park and RED Park. They also remove 119.6 and 90.3 kg of pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2), and reduce water runoff of 269.5 and 200.5 m3, respectively. This analysis highlights the key role of urban forests in improving the environmental sustainability of the city of Tbilisi and provides important decision support for tree species selection in this geographic area.
Background
All cities globally are growing considerably as they are experiencing an intensive urbanization process resulting in significant economic, social, and environmental challenges. One of the major risks is the deterioration of living environment in urban areas due to the high soil consumption and pollution of environmental components. For this reason, cities are required to adopt measures to reduce air pollution concentration and CO2 emissions, preserve biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. In this context, tree planting has been suggested as one cost-effective strategy because green infrastructures can provide important environmental and social functions which contribute to the quality of life and health of city dwellers.
Tbilisi is the largest city in Georgia, with a population of over 1,100,000 inhabitants (about 30% of total population of Georgia). The green space availability in Tbilisi (5-6 m² per inhabitant) is low compared to other European cities, and in recent years the need to increase the amount of urban vegetation has been underlined at planning level.
Results
In our study, we implemented for the first time in an Eastern European city the i-Tree Eco model to quantify the main ecosystem services from common tree species in Southern Caucasus. Two parks, Expo Park (694 trees) and Red Park (1027 trees) in the city of Tbilisi have been measured and a model simulation was performed for the year 2018. These urban forests store large amounts of carbon in their woody tissues (198.4 t for Expo park and 126.5 t for Red park) and each year they remove 4.6 and 4.7 t of CO2 for Expo park and Red park. They also positively contribute to the air quality by removing 119.6 and 90.3 kg of pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2), and reducing water runoff of 269.5 and 200.5 m³, respectively.
Conclusions
This analysis highlighted the key role of urban forests in improving the environmental sustainability of the city of Tbilisi and provides important decision support for the tree species selection in this geographic area with the aim of maximizing the benefits trees can supply to cities.
We investigated selected study areas regarding natural and cultural development and changes in the last circa 200 years with the goal to reveal their heritage and values from point of view of many geographical disciplines. Using various types of data and methods of physical, social geography and geoinformatics we have analysed thirty study areas so far, especially landscapes, which went through massive changes such as vanishing of inhabitants and settlements and extensification or afforestation, urbanization and construction new water bodies. Here, we expertly chose areas with recreational use
and investigated their land cover changes between the 19th century and nowadays to find out whether and how land cover and recreation use are related. In addition, we would like to present wide range of outputs of our project and connections between heritage and its representation of the landscape, land cover change and recreation in the study areas. We concluded that landscape changes are hand in hand with current recreational use. There is a shift from productive to non-productive functions, however ways differed significantly, e.g. using old structures for new activities, activities based on new or transformed structures and landscape or even covering old structures by recreation.
Abstract
Within the project on monitoring of landscape changes in large-scale protected areas in Czechia we also monitor anthropogenic structures – roads, built-up and recreational areas. In this article we focused on anthropogenic structures in the five protected areas, which are protected and also highly visited by tourists especially for rock formations, particularly sandstone. Based on this similarity we would like to evaluate and compare the anthropogenic pressure in these areas. We used 500x500 m grid to visualize and analyse all the results, which contain relative distribution of anthropogenic structures and their standardization resulting in indices refer to anthropogenic pressure. In addition, 1)
we performed cluster analysis to find out different types of anthropogenic influence present within the study areas and 2) indices of anthropogenic pressure were analysed with habitat suitability for key species of the protected areas, 3) finally, we compared selected protected landscape area according to results and indices within the areas.
České Švýcarsko as National Park (NP) is at the lowest level of anthropogenic influence by permanent structures, however Broumovsko, Český ráj and Labské pískovce are facing significantly higher anthropogenic pressure influencing suitable habitats as well.
Understanding people’s attitudes towards the urban forest is crucial to advance sustainability goals and for proposing policy changes in local governments. With global cities such as Sydney becoming highly multi-cultural, it is vital for local governments in cities to be responsive to the diverse voices and interests of their residents. This paper investigates attitudes of people from different socio-economic backgrounds and thereby identifies barriers and opportunities for tree planting. Analysing two socio-economically diverse local government areas (LGAs) in Sydney, viz. Parramatta and North Sydney, this paper demonstrates that residents’ attitudes towards trees depends largely on tree location. Trees located on private land, are preferred for aesthetics and functionality (e.g. beauty and privacy), and trees are removed if they represent a threat to residents’ health or infrastructure. Trees located on public land are appreciated because people prefer to live along a tree-lined street where aesthetic and environmental values of trees are paramount. The above attitudes vary with income, education and dwelling type. Findings from this study suggest that local governments must engage effectively with socio-economically diverse populations and recognise different attitudes of communities in policies and practices for managing urban greenery.
Water quality, stormwater management, and other hydrological and ecological processes and services are fundamental to development of community. In places experiencing growth and development, both water quality and community are enhanced when regulatory and nonregulatory community planning tools are used to conserve green infrastructure including soil, trees and forests, riparian areas, steep slopes, and larger systems of open space. In the community planning process, understanding and considering complex ecological/social systems including the multiple dimensions of people’s values is important for success. People’s values toward and concern about water quality, and other connected ecosystem services, may increase in places experiencing capital investment, modernization, population growth, and land conversion and development. These value changes, as well as resource scarcity, drive new community planning policy effecting private property use, conflict, and green infrastructure conservation. Today, as exemplified in the idea of ecosystem management, the importance of using community planning to consider both human and ecological health, not always provided by private property ownership or utility value, is crucial given population growth, land conversion and development, and other realities. Readers interested in the cycling of water, matter, and the modeling thereof in urban environments are referred to Chaps. 17, 18 and 19, respectively.
O gerenciamento da arborização de ruas é um processo oneroso e complexo, sendo estrategicamente importante para o órgão público para ofertar e manter o máximo de benefícios com a presença de árvores nos centros urbanos, com redução de custos e de problemas. Este trabalho foi realizado na cidade de Curitiba, com dados provenientes de documentos públicos, de pesquisas realizadas na cidade e de informações obtidas de profissionais da prefeitura municipal. A avaliação da gestão da arborização de ruas foi feita por meio do uso de critérios e indicadores de performance. Verificou-se que o indicador de performance foi igual a 1,0, demonstrando um desempenho mediano de gestão, pois metade dos critérios se enquadraram nas classes "bom" e "ótimo" e o restante nas classes "ruim" e "moderado". Os critérios qualificados como "ótimo" foram "consciência da importância das árvores", "inventário da cobertura de copas", "recursos municipais" e "proteção da arborização". O uso de indicadores de gestão da arborização de ruas mostrou-se uma ferramenta de fácil aplicação, podendo a cidade analisada melhorar o desempenho a partir da realização de estudos complementares, como um programa de monitoramento e um programa de planejamento silvicultural específico para a arborização de ruas.
Urban trees are increasingly being valued for their economical contributions based on the environmental functions that they provide to urban ecosystems (e.g. carbon sequestration, shading, erosion, runoff control, etc.). Based on 2002 data, total compensatory value for urban forests in the United States was estimated at $2.4 trillion. Forest value increases when a greater proportion of forest trees are healthy with large diameters yet, maintaining tree health for longevity is met with a vast array of challenges (diverse land use, diverse ownership/management, limited root space, soil compaction, tree damage, pollution, etc.). Although maximizing tree growth is recognized as a critical urban forestry objective, few forest health preservation programs exist. From the emerging plant-soil paradigm in plant ecology, it is clear that feedbacks between plants and soil may determine larger level patterns such as ecosystem level variability and landscape level productivity. Including urban soil function and integrating urban soils into forest management will help managers understand the effects of tree management decisions. This study tested for the presence of feedbacks between soil quality and tree health, as well as between soil quality and tree species. This study demonstrates that heterogeneity is a central characteristic of the urban forest and that future attempts to test relationships between species and soil should incorporate site differences through detailed soil surveys, direct communication with landowners/management, and historical property records in order to develop complete site histories. GIS technology can manage large amounts of heterogeneous data in easily accessible databases that can be used to generate practical tools, such as maps of urban forest above-and belowground characteristics. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Context
In response to predominantly local and private approaches to landscape change, landscape ecologists should critically assess the multiscalar influences on landscape design.
Objectives
This study develops a governance framework for Nassauer and Opdam’s “Design-in-Science” model. Its objective is to create an approach for examining hierarchical constraints on landscape design in order to investigate linkages among urban greening initiatives, patterns of landscape change, and the broader societal values driving those changes. It aims to provide an integrative and actionable approach for landscape sustainability science.
Methods
This framework is examined through an ethnographic study of public policy processes surrounding the urban tree initiatives in Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; and Baltimore, MD.
Results
These initiatives demonstrate the impact of political and economic decentralization on urban landscape patterns. Their collaborative governance approach incorporates diverse resources to implement programming at a fine-scale. The predominant tree giveaway program fragments the urban and regional forest.
Conclusion
Spatial and temporal fragmentation undermines the long-term security of urban greening programs, and it suggests reconsideration of the role of state regimes in driving broad scale spatial planning.
We present a model for the development of sustainable urban forests. The model applies general principles of sustainability to urban trees and forests. The central tenet of the model is that sustainable urban forests require a healthy tree and forest resource, community-wide support and a comprehensive management approach. For each of these components, we present criteria and indicators for assessing their status at a given point in time. The most significant outcome of a sustainable urban forest is to maintain a maximum level of net environmental, ecological, social, and economic benefits over time.
With effective planning and management, urban trees and forests will provide a wide range of important benefits to urbanites. These include a more pleasant, healthful, and comfortable environment to live, work, and play in, savings in the costs of providing a wide range of urban services, and substantial improvements in individual and community wellbeing. Urban forestry plans should begin with consideration of the contribution that trees and forests can make to people's needs. Planning and management efforts should focus on how the forest can best meet those needs. Past planning and management efforts have not been as effective as they might have been because planners and managers have underestimated the potential benefits that urban trees and forests can provide, and have not understood the planning and management efforts needed to provide those benefits, particularly the linkages between benefits and characteristics of the urban forest and its management.
Urban areas in the conterminous United State doubled in size between 1969 and 1994, and currently cover 3.5 percent of the total land area and contain more than 75 percent of the US population. Urban areas contain approximately 3.8 billion trees with an average tree canopy cover of 27 percent. The extent and variation of urban forests across the 48 states are explored to help build a better understanding of this significant national resource. Urbanization and urban forests are likely to be a significant focus of forestry in the 21st century.
Sustainable development is a process of meeting the continuing, evolving needs of people while protecting and enhancing the resource base on which all production of goods and environmental services depends. Good forest management is an essential part of the sustainable development process. Given the need to share the benefits from forests, and given the uncertainty we face concerning the future, a participatory adaptive management approach is needed, one that lets us most easily adapt if we find in the future that we are on a path of unsustainable development.
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 1991. Includes bibliographical references. Photocopy.
Near the close of the 19th century the American conservation community, led by Gifford Pinchot, was discussing the need for scientific management of forests and related natural resources. The primary concerns at that time were destructive and wasteful timber-harvesting practices and the need for a sustained yield policy (Pinchot, 1947). Urbanization was not an issue. Nineteenth-century cities were very compact in form due to the constraints of transportation and access. It is understandable, therefore, that urban growth was not perceived by Pinchot as a threat to the long-term viability and productivity of forests. Now, in retrospect, as we approach a new millennium, it has become obvious that a century of unparalleled population growth and urbanization has had an extremely detrimental impact on the natural systems and processes that sustain life on this planet. Forests in the heavily populated regions of the Northeast have been decimated and in many places can no longer maintain their functional efficiency in stabilizing soil, purifying water and air, and sustaining biological diversity.
ABSTRACT Bormann, Bernard T.; Cunningham, Patrick G.; Brookes. Martha H.; Manning, Van W.; Collopy, Michael W. 1994. Adaptive ecosystem management inthe Pacific Northwest. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-341. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 22 p. A systematic approach,to adaptive,management,isproposed,to simultaneously
Since the end of the 1980s the concept of sustainable development has gained general acceptance, but much uncertainty still
exists on how to operationalize this concept. In forestry the concept of sustainability has been an accepted principle since
the 18th century. The experiences with its application in forestry may contribute towards obtaining a better insight into
the implications and operational significance of the concept of sustainability. This article describes the history of sustainability
in forestry, including the various social values on which its interpretation has been based. The original principle of sustained
yield has gradually been broadened to a more inclusive principle of sustainable forest management. The dynamics in social
valuation of forest resources resulted in various attempts at practical operationalization of the principle. Notwithstanding
200 years of efforts to operationalize the concept of sustainability, its exact application in forestry remains troublesome.
Three lessons are drawn: (1) the need to recognize the different nature of ecological limits and social dynamics, (2) the
role of dynamic social values with respect to forest resources, and (3) the significance of operational experiences in trying
to attain sustainability within a concrete context.
Climate, topography, and water area are highly related to rural county population change over the past 25 years. A natural amenities index, derived and discussed here, captures much of this relationship. Average 1970-96 population change in nonmetropolitan counties was I percent among counties low on the natural amenities index and 120 percent among counties high on the index. Most retirement counties and recreation counties score in the top quarter of the amenities index. Employment change is also highly related to natural amenities, although more so over the past 25 years than in the current decade. The importance of particular amentities varies by region. In the Midwest, for example, people are drawn to lakes for recreation and retirement, while people are attracted to the West for its varied topography.
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