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Forests
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Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities
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Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Forestry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2024 | Viewed by 22719

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Cheng Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Insitutute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, #1 Dongxiaofu, Xiangshan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100091, China
Interests: urban forestry; urban ecology; biodiversity; urban forest design and planning; ecosystem service assessment
Dr. Sumita Ghosh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Built Environment, Faculty of Design Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
Interests: green infrastructure; urban forestry; food production and gardens; urban morphologies; sustainable urban form
Dr. Chengyang Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Center for Urban Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: urban forest establishment and management; urban forest ecology; assessment of urban forest ecosystem services; non-commercial forest management; tree ecophysiology
Dr. Rik De Vreese

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Senior Researcher in Urban Forestry, European Forest Institute (EFI), Brussels, Belgium
Interests: urban forestry; governance; socio-ecological systems; planning
Dr. Clive Davies

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RU, UK
Interests: green infrastructure; nature-based solutions; urban forestry; climate literacy; urban biodiversity; BioCities; urban fringe planning
Dr. Jiali Jin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Interests: urban ecology; landscape ecology; urban heat island; spatial analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rapid urbanisation and human activities have caused increasingly serious environment problems in urban areas, such as the urban heat island, air and soil pollution, inadequate clean and potable water, and biodiversity loss. According to the World Urbanisation Prospects, t56.61% of the world’s population lives in urban areas and it will increase to 68% by 2050, which is a significant challenge for urban ecosystems that are under pressure following continuing urbanisation, either as land reserve for buildings, or through other negative environmental impacts. Urban forestry is defined as the planting, management, care, and protection of tree populations in urban settings. Urban trees and forests provide people with a huge volume of ecosystem benefits; thus, the creation, conservation, and management of urban forests have been emphasised by governments, scholars, and city residents over the last five decades. However, the development of urban forestry varies among countries; hence, theoretical exploration, methodological innovation, and practical mechanisms are different worldwide.

This Special Issue is focused on the global progress of urban forestry, specifically (i) the theoretical exploration, methodological innovation, and governance intuitional mechanisms of urban forest responses to the changed urban environment; (ii) plants and animals in urban and peri-urban ecosystems; and (iii) urban forest nature-based solutions in city management as pathways to achieve sustainable development goals at the global and local level.

Articles may include any aspect of urban biodiversity conservation, urban forestry governance, climate changes, ecosystem services, urban forest design and planning, etc. This topic, in part, is also an important platform, elucidating the scientific context and output of the Sino-European CLEARING HOUSE project research team (China National Key R&D Program grant no. 2021YFE0193200 and EU Horizon 2020 grant no. 821242). Articles are welcomed from those inside and outside of the CLEARING HOUSE project and from any global region.

Dr. Cheng Wang
Dr. Sumita Ghosh
Dr. Chengyang Xu
Dr. Rik De Vreese
Dr. Clive Davies
Guest Editors

Dr. Jiali Jin
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • urban biodiversity
  • urban landscape ecology
  • urban forest design and planning
  • urban forest nature-based solutions
  • urban and peri-urban forests
  • urban forest governance
  • urban greening
  • nature-based solutions
  • ecosystem services and disservices
  • citizen science
  • spatial analysis and geo-information
  • human health and well-being
  • green infrastructure

Published Papers (19 papers)

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20 pages, 2511 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Potential of Roadside Plantation for Carbon Sequestration Using Simulation in Southern Quebec, Canada
by Nour Srour, Evelyne Thiffault and Jean-François Boucher
Forests 2024, 15(2), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020264 - 30 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1224
Abstract
Afforestation of urban lands can play an important role in increasing carbon sequestration and mitigating the effects of climate change. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for carbon sequestration and storage in plantations on roadsides in southern Quebec, Canada. We used the [...] Read more.
Afforestation of urban lands can play an important role in increasing carbon sequestration and mitigating the effects of climate change. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for carbon sequestration and storage in plantations on roadsides in southern Quebec, Canada. We used the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forester Sector 3 (CBM-CFS3) to simulate the carbon sequestration capacity over 100 years of plantations established following afforestation with different species mixtures based on local needs and aspirations. We then compared the carbon sequestration potential of simulated plantations with the carbon storage of natural vegetation of reference roadsides with different histories of land use. Our findings suggested that plantations on roadsides subjected to high anthropogenic pressure, such as road rights-of-way, may provide carbon sequestration benefits relative to baseline conditions (i.e., no plantation). For instance, 15 years after afforestation, the additional carbon sequestration potential of plantations on road rights-of-way varied between 25 and 32 Mg ha−1, depending on the afforestation scenario. However, allowing roadsides classified as abandoned agricultural lands to undergo natural succession could promote higher carbon storage on roadsides than planting, irrespective of species mixtures. Our results indicated that the carbon storage of vegetation resulting from the abandonment of agriculture 35 to 45 years ago showed a range of 260 to 290 Mg ha−1, which exceeded the carbon stocks predicted with afforestation models for 60 to 84 years after planting. Indeed, reference roadsides used for agriculture in the past, but that have otherwise not been subjected to other anthropogenic degradation, appeared to naturally evolve toward forest vegetation with higher carbon stocks than simulated plantations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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17 pages, 4715 KiB  
Article
Urban Dominant Trees Followed the Optimal Partitioning Theory and Increased Root Biomass Allocation and Nutrient Uptake under Elevated Nitrogen Deposition
by Qinze Zhang, Jiyou Zhu, Jiaan Liang, Meiyang Li, Shuo Huang and Hongyuan Li
Forests 2024, 15(1), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010199 - 19 Jan 2024
Viewed by 798
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is one of the limiting nutrients for plant growth and metabolism in terrestrial ecosystems. Numerous studies have explored the effects of N addition on the eco-physiological traits and biomass production of plants, but the underlying mechanism of how N deposition influences [...] Read more.
Nitrogen (N) is one of the limiting nutrients for plant growth and metabolism in terrestrial ecosystems. Numerous studies have explored the effects of N addition on the eco-physiological traits and biomass production of plants, but the underlying mechanism of how N deposition influences biomass allocation patterns remains controversial, especially for urban greening trees. A greenhouse experiment was conducted for 7 months, using two dominant tree species of urban streets in North China, including the coniferous tree species Pinus tabuliformis and the broadleaved tree Fraxinus chinensis, under three levels of N addition: ambient, low N addition, and high N addition (0, 3.5, and 10.5 gN m−2 year−1). The plant growth, biomass distribution, functional traits, and soil nutrient properties of the two trees were determined. Overall, N addition had positive effects on the aboveground and belowground biomass of P. tabuliformis, which also shifted its functional traits to an acquisitive strategy, while F. chinensis only increased root biomass distribution and fast traits as N increased. Furthermore, N supply increased the soil N and phosphorus availability of both trees and improved their root nutrient uptake capacity, resulting in an increase in their root–shoot ratio. Optimal partitioning theory could better explain why trees would invest more resources in roots, changing root structure and nutrient uptake, thus increasing root biomass allocation to adapt to a resource-poor environment. These findings highlight the importance of plant functional traits in driving the responses of biomass allocation to environmental changes for urban greening dominant tree species and could help to come up with new tree growth strategies in silvicultural practice for urban green space. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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17 pages, 16021 KiB  
Article
Quantification and Proxy Indicators of the Carbon Pool in Urban Tree Litterfall: A Case Study of Urban Green Spaces in Beijing
by Yujuan Cao, Xinyu Li, Yanming Li, Jia Guo and Yali Qi
Forests 2024, 15(1), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010144 - 10 Jan 2024
Viewed by 761
Abstract
As major carbon (C) pools in cities, urban green spaces play a crucial role in reducing atmospheric carbon. To determine the importance of litterfall C storage in urban green spaces, we selected the leaf area index (LAI) as a proxy indicator for litterfall [...] Read more.
As major carbon (C) pools in cities, urban green spaces play a crucial role in reducing atmospheric carbon. To determine the importance of litterfall C storage in urban green spaces, we selected the leaf area index (LAI) as a proxy indicator for litterfall C density (LCD), and established a log-linear regression model between LCD and LAI to predict the annual litterfall C pool in large-scale urban green spaces using Sentinel-2 satellite remote sensing data. Forty-five sample units were randomly selected in typical urban green spaces in Beijing, China. A high-temperature combustion method was used to measure the LCD of the sampling units, and stepwise linear regression was used to filter the proxy indicator for LCD. The annual litterfall C pool in regions within the Fifth Ring Road was also estimated with inversion using remote sensing data. From 2015 to 2021, the estimated annual litterfall C pool was in the range of 4.5–5.8 × 1010 g, i.e., approximately 18.9% of the total C storage recorded for the urban green space, which was far greater than that observed in forest ecosystems. We concluded that the litterfall C pool in urban green spaces is seriously underestimated, and that urban tree litterfall has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if used as a carbon-neutral resource. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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20 pages, 4432 KiB  
Article
How Much Visual Greenery Can Street Trees Generate from a Humanistic Perspective? An Attempt to Quantify the Canopy Green View Index Based on Tree Morphology
by Huaizhen Zhu, Xinge Nan, Ning Kang and Shuhua Li
Forests 2024, 15(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010088 - 1 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3632
Abstract
Street trees are essential to urban ecological benefits and human well-being. The canopy morphology relates to the green view index (GVI), which needs to be calculated based on specific tree species. This study conducts a field study on 760 street trees of 3 [...] Read more.
Street trees are essential to urban ecological benefits and human well-being. The canopy morphology relates to the green view index (GVI), which needs to be calculated based on specific tree species. This study conducts a field study on 760 street trees of 3 species from the pedestrian perspective, and explores the differences in canopy GVI and its factors of different specifications of street trees using DBH grading. The results indicate that (1) street trees can provide 20% of the GVI in unilateral streets, with 13% of the GVI in a single canopy. (2) A flat oval crown with a wider canopy width is more effective in providing GVI than a long oval crown, and a CW with a higher canopy GVI highlights this advantage. (3) DBHs of 30 and 40 can be used as grading indicators for Cinnamomum camphora, and the specification requirements can be reduced for Southern magnolia and Chinese privet. (4) The concept of DE is introduced, and new parameters related to the central crown have significant impacts on GVI. The conclusions can improve the GVI application in urban greenery planning as well as have certain implications for the cost management of future seedling cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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22 pages, 19627 KiB  
Article
Annually Spatial Pattern Dynamics of Forest Types under a Rapid Expansion of Impervious Surfaces: A Case Study of Hangzhou City
by Yuxin Zhu, Jingchuan Zhou, Mingyue Liu, Weidong Man and Lin Chen
Forests 2024, 15(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010044 - 24 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 813
Abstract
Dramatic forest dynamics strongly influence pressure mitigation from the increasing population and climate changes of an urban landscape. Effectively monitoring landscapes in a spatiotemporally consistent manner, satellite remote sensing has emerged as the first analytical tool to help us understand the changes in [...] Read more.
Dramatic forest dynamics strongly influence pressure mitigation from the increasing population and climate changes of an urban landscape. Effectively monitoring landscapes in a spatiotemporally consistent manner, satellite remote sensing has emerged as the first analytical tool to help us understand the changes in urban forests. At present, most studies focus on classification algorithms, spatial analysis methods, and ecosystem models, and the literature lacks spatiotemporally explicit research on the responses of different types of forests to urbanization. Thus, in this study, Hangzhou was selected as a typical metropolitan area to determine the annual spatial patterns of urban forests at a forest-type level. To illustrate the spatial pattern dynamics of different forest types resulting from rapid urbanization, this study characterized the Landsat-based spatial patterns of different forest types, as well as their annual changes from 2000 to 2022 using object-based backdating classification, land-use transfer matrix, area-weighted centroids, and landscape pattern indexes. The spatiotemporal effects of impervious surface expansion on forest pattern changes at a type scale were discussed. The results demonstrated that forests, mainly located in the southwest, decreased from 11,660.69 to 11,516.15 km2. Moreover, evergreen broadleaved forests occupied the largest area and had the most decreased ratio among the three forest types over 23 years, followed by evergreen needle-leaved and deciduous broadleaved forests. In total, 103.37 km2 of forest areas transformed to impervious surfaces, with the highest annual transformation of area occurring among evergreen broadleaved forests widely across Hangzhou City and the lowest occurring among deciduous broadleaved forests. Forests lost adjacency due to the development of Hangzhou City, while this southwestward shrinkage slowed down over 23 years, resulting in the highest increase in the degree of evergreen broadleaved forest fragmentation. Therefore, measures of city planning according to the deep effects of adjustments of administrative divisions to forest suitability should be implemented, such as green ecological corridor construction. This research provides a Landsat-based methodology at a spatiotemporally explicit-scale perspective for better understanding forest changes under high-speed urbanization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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24 pages, 11970 KiB  
Article
Landscape Characteristics in Mountain Parks across Different Urban Gradients and Their Relationship with Public Response
by Ziru Chen, Yuanping Sheng, Daosong Luo, Yaling Huang, Jingkai Huang, Zhipeng Zhu, Xiong Yao, Weicong Fu, Jiaying Dong and Yuxiang Lan
Forests 2023, 14(12), 2406; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122406 - 10 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1014
Abstract
Numerous researchers have demonstrated the positive impacts of urban green spaces on human physiology and psychology. In mountainous urban regions, mountains have often been preserved as green spaces during urban sprawl, owing to the limited costs associated with development. While the landscape elements [...] Read more.
Numerous researchers have demonstrated the positive impacts of urban green spaces on human physiology and psychology. In mountainous urban regions, mountains have often been preserved as green spaces during urban sprawl, owing to the limited costs associated with development. While the landscape elements of these mountain parks exhibit differences depending on their locations, the nature and effects of such differences on the public’s physiological and psychological perceptions remain unclear. Therefore, we employed panoramic cameras and semantic segmentation (PSPNet-based training algorithm) to analyze the composition of landscape elements in mountain parks along an urban gradient (i.e., urban areas [UA], suburban areas [SA], and exurban areas [EA]). Concurrently, open-ended questionnaires and portable physiological monitors (ErgoLAB 3.0 Portable physiological monitoring equipment) were utilized to examine relationships between specific landscape elements and the public’s physiological and psychological responses. Our findings revealed that: (1) Urban park landscapes possessed high proportions of paved areas, humanistic vibe, vegetation hierarchy, and vegetation color richness, alongside lower scene clutter; suburban mountain park landscapes were characterized by heightened contemporary ambiance and wide viewshed area; and exurban mountain park landscapes exhibited high green view indices, expansive water surfaces, broad view area, and low scene clutter. (2) HRV and EMG differed significantly between mountain parks situated across the urban gradient. EMG also significantly varied across landscape types. All four psychological perception metrics showed significant distinctions across the three urban gradients and three green space categories. It further highlighted the importance of naturalness perception in urban mountain parks. (3) Viewshed area, average sight distance, architecture, enclosure, humanistic vibe, contemporary elements, vegetation color richness, trees and shrubs, distant hills, and scene clutter showed significant effects on both physiological and psychological outcomes. However, the application of these findings needs additional refinement tailored to the typology of the landscape. (4) To provide practical insights for constructing diverse green space typologies, we employed partial correlation modeling to eliminate covarying factors and developed a perception feedback model for public physiological and psychological indicators. Our findings elucidate relationships between landscape elements and the benefits of urban forests for public physiology and psychology. By shedding light on these connections, we further understand how landscape elements shape human perceptions of mountainous urban forests. These results offer valuable insights for shaping policies that promote favorable urban forest landscapes while also advancing landscape perception research through the use of semantic segmentation and portable physiological monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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19 pages, 5391 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Adjacent Road on Vascular Plant Species Composition in Herbaceous Layers of Peucedano-Pinetum and Tilio-Carpinetum Urban Forests in the City of Warsaw (Poland)
by Beata Fornal-Pieniak, Filip Kamionowski, Marcin Ollik, Paweł Szumigała, Barbara Żarska and Karolina Szumigała
Forests 2023, 14(12), 2401; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122401 - 9 Dec 2023
Viewed by 806
Abstract
The research was conducted in two types of urban forests: Peucedano-Pinetum and Tilio-Carpinetum. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in plant species compositions in the herbaceous layer of urban forests with different habitat fertility adjacent to the road [...] Read more.
The research was conducted in two types of urban forests: Peucedano-Pinetum and Tilio-Carpinetum. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in plant species compositions in the herbaceous layer of urban forests with different habitat fertility adjacent to the road in the northern part of Warsaw (Poland). Seven transects were laid out in each type of forest, with 10 plots spread out from the edge zone (forest border) to the interior of the forests. The size of each plot was 100 m2. The other seven transects were located within the forest, 150 to 200 m away from the forest’s edge. The field research included phytosociological relevés carried out on the existing transects. The indoor studies included an analysis of forest community disturbance. Furthermore, an analysis of abiotic environmental conditions using ecological indicator numbers was carried out. Ecotones of Peucedano-Pinetum are more likely to be colonized by the species inconsistent with the habitat due to processes that increase habitat fertility. The Tilio-Carpinetum forest is more easily colonized by invasive plant species than the Peucedano-Pinetum. The range of road effects can be determined as an area located within 90 m inward of the forest in the case of the Peucedano-Pinetum community and 100 m in the case of the Tilio-Carpinetum community. The presented research is important for formulating directions about how to manage the forests and their surroundings in terms of shaping forests of more natural character, with species more consistent with a forest habitat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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16 pages, 7248 KiB  
Article
Responses of Vegetation Phenology to Urbanization in Plateau Mountains in Yunnan, China
by Mengzhu Sun, Kun Yang, Jiasheng Wang, Wenjing Ran and Xun Rao
Forests 2023, 14(12), 2347; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122347 - 29 Nov 2023
Viewed by 750
Abstract
The process of urbanization alters the distribution of land use and gives rise to certain climatic modifications that have a direct influence on vegetation phenology. Mountainous areas have a fragile biological environment, and vegetation phenology is relatively sensitive to urbanization. However, there is [...] Read more.
The process of urbanization alters the distribution of land use and gives rise to certain climatic modifications that have a direct influence on vegetation phenology. Mountainous areas have a fragile biological environment, and vegetation phenology is relatively sensitive to urbanization. However, there is a paucity of research on the impact of urbanization in mountainous areas on vegetation phenology. The Urban Agglomeration of Central Yunnan (UACY) is located on the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau in China. This study explored the vegetation phenological changes in different terrains from 2001 to 2020 in the UACY based on remote sensing data. Using the dynamic gradient method, we examined the response of vegetation phenology to urbanization from three aspects: urban–rural gradient, urbanization intensity (UI), and population density. The results showed that landform has a significant impact on SOS (start of growing season), with a topographic relief difference of 200 m acting as the dividing line. The findings derived from the dynamic gradient analysis indicate that UI has the most significant effect. SOS advances by 5.77 days (R2 = 0.96), EOS (end of growing season) advances by 2.30 days (R2 = 0.83), and LOS (length of growing season) lengthens by 2.59 days (R2 = 0.87) for every 10% increase in UI. This study has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for future urban planning and administration in the UACY. Additionally, it could provide decision-making support for the development of mountainous urban agglomerations in ecological environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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18 pages, 5155 KiB  
Article
Spatio-Temporal Changes and Trade-Offs/Synergies among Ecosystem Services in Beijing from 2000 to 2020
by Fang Xu, Shige Chen, Xiyue Wang and Xiangrong Wang
Forests 2023, 14(12), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122314 - 25 Nov 2023
Viewed by 841
Abstract
Exploring the dynamic changes and trade-offs/synergies among ecosystem services is essential to urban ecological protection and sustainable development. In this study, we quantified the spatio-temporal changes in nine ecosystem service values in Beijing from 2000 to 2020 based on land-use data and the [...] Read more.
Exploring the dynamic changes and trade-offs/synergies among ecosystem services is essential to urban ecological protection and sustainable development. In this study, we quantified the spatio-temporal changes in nine ecosystem service values in Beijing from 2000 to 2020 based on land-use data and the equivalent factor method. Correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression were combined to explore the trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services. The results show that (1) the total ecosystem service value of Beijing increased from CNY 15 billion to 52 billion from 2000 to 2020, and the value was mainly contributed to by forest, cropland, and water. The regulating services covered the largest proportion of the total ecosystem service value, followed by the supporting services; (2) the high-ESV area was mainly located in the mountainous area with abundant forest resources, and the low values were mainly concentrated in central urban areas; (3) most of the ecosystem service pairs had synergies, while the trade-offs mainly existed between food supply services and other services. Measures, such as controlling built-up areas, increasing the area of green space and enhancing vegetation protection, as well as implementing high-quality agriculture, should be taken in order to balance the relationship between ESs and improve ecosystem management in Beijing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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29 pages, 6210 KiB  
Article
Landscape Health Assessment of Suburban Forest Park: A Case Study Based on Multiple Sampling Units and Functional Characteristics
by Hao Luo, Qing Zhao, Lingyu Zhang, Changjun Gao, Xiaojun Wu and Yuying Nie
Forests 2023, 14(11), 2237; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14112237 - 13 Nov 2023
Viewed by 825
Abstract
Assessing the landscape health of suburban forest parks is a prerequisite for achieving the dual objectives of forest resource conservation and recreational services. However, studies that analyze landscape health in suburban forest parks at a landscape scale by subdividing the landscape into multiple [...] Read more.
Assessing the landscape health of suburban forest parks is a prerequisite for achieving the dual objectives of forest resource conservation and recreational services. However, studies that analyze landscape health in suburban forest parks at a landscape scale by subdividing the landscape into multiple sampling units and adopting a multi-functional perspective have been limited. This study focuses on Xiqiao Mountain National Forest Park and establishes a landscape classification system and indices, taking into account its multifunctionalities. The study employs the entropy weight method to determine indicator weights and utilizes grid analysis and spatial interpolation to analyze the spatial distribution of landscape health under multiple sampling units and functionalities, along with the differences in its impact and influencing factors. The results indicate that: (1) regions with “very poor” and “poor” landscape health grades under multiple sampling units and functionalities exhibited a sheet-like distribution pattern, covering approximately 69.46% to 98.86% of the total area. In contrast, regions with “very good” and “good” grades are primarily located in block-like or linear patterns in the northern, central, and southern regions of the park, accounting for approximately 1.07% to 17.20% of the total area. (2) The area ratios of “very good” and “good” landscape health grades for recreational landscapes under varying sampling units were consistently higher than those of the same grades for eco-conservational landscapes, with a 5.03%–15.43% difference. This suggests a greater emphasis on recreational functionality. (3) The impact of three different sampling unit sizes on the landscape health of Xiqiao Mountain National Forest Park under multifunctionalities is not significantly different; however, the forest/non-forest area ratio and quantity ratio are vital factors influencing its landscape health. The landscape health assessment results, considering multiple sampling units and functionalities in this study, serve to provide technical method support and practical case references for the planning, construction, and management decision-making of suburban forest parks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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18 pages, 2839 KiB  
Article
Pocket Parks: A New Approach to Improving the Psychological and Physical Health of Recreationists
by Yabing Huang, Xiaoqian Lin, Shumeng Lin, Ziyi Chen, Weicong Fu, Minghua Wang and Jianwen Dong
Forests 2023, 14(10), 1983; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101983 - 30 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1500
Abstract
The increasing density of cities poses a huge threat to public health, so pocket parks with high accessibility and flexibility have become potential resources to promote public health. In this context, the ways in which pocket parks can improve public health have become [...] Read more.
The increasing density of cities poses a huge threat to public health, so pocket parks with high accessibility and flexibility have become potential resources to promote public health. In this context, the ways in which pocket parks can improve public health have become the focus and challenge of current research. This study selected 10 different types of pocket parks in Fuzhou, China, as the research subjects and collected real-time psychological and physiological data of participants by watching videos of the sample plots. The aim was to explore the impact of the environmental characteristics of pocket parks on the psychological and physiological responses of recreational users. The results of the study showed that: (1) the environmental characteristics of pocket parks significantly affect the psychological and physiological responses of recreationists. Different environmental characteristics can affect recreationists’ emotional state, attention recovery, environmental preferences, and the indicators of IBI, HR, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, SCL, and EMG to varying degrees. (2) The environment of pocket parks may encourage recreationists to generate positive psychological benefits when the site is larger and has a higher degree of scenic beauty, and when the space is not effectively confined. A pocket park environment with a low paving ratio, open view, cultural elements, topographic changes, special vegetation and distributing space can also have a positive effect on the psychological benefits of recreationists to a certain extent. Low canopy density and high green visibility can also play a role in suppressing negative emotions. (3) Pocket parks with high levels of depression and off-site disturbance are not conducive to positive physiological responses from recreationists, while pocket parks with high levels of green visibility and beauty and specialized vegetation are more likely to provide health benefits to them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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20 pages, 3757 KiB  
Article
Impact of Forest Parkification on Color Authenticity
by Wenjing Han, Chang Zhang, Cheng Wang, Songsong Liu, Decai Shen, Haiqi Zhou and Dan Han
Forests 2023, 14(9), 1799; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091799 - 3 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 815
Abstract
Preserving the authenticity of forest colors is essential to highlight regional characteristics and promote the sustainable development of forest landscapes. However, the factors and mechanisms influencing forest color remain unclear. We quantified 1422 forest color images from 43 parks across seven biogeographic regions [...] Read more.
Preserving the authenticity of forest colors is essential to highlight regional characteristics and promote the sustainable development of forest landscapes. However, the factors and mechanisms influencing forest color remain unclear. We quantified 1422 forest color images from 43 parks across seven biogeographic regions in China to capture the forest color composition among regions. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the effects of meteorological and anthropogenic disturbance factors on forest color. Meteorological factors included accumulated sunshine hours, average temperature, accumulated precipitation, frost-free period, average wind speed, and average air quality index. Anthropogenic disturbance factors included park feature indicators (area, elevation, and perimeter-area ratio) and human activity indicators (distance to urban areas, building density, and road density). We calculated p-values and relative effect estimates to determine the sensitivity and degree of sensitivity of color to each factor. The results indicated the following: (1) forest color composition varied significantly among different regions in China with variations observed particularly in the proportions of primary (green), secondary (yellow and yellow-green), and accent colors (orange and blue-green); (2) forest colors were sensitive to all meteorological factors; (3) orange, yellow, purple, and red were all sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance factors; and (4) forest accent colors were more strongly influenced by anthropogenic disturbance factors, particularly park features. To protect the authenticity of forest colors, it is necessary to avoid excessive borrowing of forest color schemes from different regions, control park features, reduce building area within the park buffer zones, and optimize park tourism routes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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14 pages, 3393 KiB  
Article
Using a Novel Green Index to Support Ecosystem Services in a Megacity
by Analder Sant’Anna Neto, Artur Queiroz Lana, Fernanda Moura Fonseca Lucas, João Gilberto Meza Ucella-Filho, Jefferson Lordello Polizel, Demóstenes Ferreira da Silva Filho, Antonio Natal Gonçalves and Ananias Francisco Dias Júnior
Forests 2023, 14(9), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091705 - 24 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1232
Abstract
We present a novel and efficient approach that enables the evaluation of environmental quality in cities worldwide using high-resolution satellite imagery, based on a new green index (GI) through multivariate analysis, to compare the proportion of urban green spaces (UGSs) with built and [...] Read more.
We present a novel and efficient approach that enables the evaluation of environmental quality in cities worldwide using high-resolution satellite imagery, based on a new green index (GI) through multivariate analysis, to compare the proportion of urban green spaces (UGSs) with built and impervious surfaces. High-resolution images were used to perform a supervised classification of 25 districts in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Only 11 districts showed higher urban forests, green spaces, green index, and green vs. built values, and impervious surface proportions with lower impervious and built spaces. On the other hand, the remaining districts had higher population densities and unfavorable conditions for urban ecosystem development. In some cases, urban green spaces were three-times smaller than the built and impervious surfaces, and none of the districts attained a high green quality index (0.75 to 1). Artificial intelligence techniques improved the precise identification of land cover, particularly vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, and grasses. The development of a novel green index, using multivariate statistical analysis, enhanced positive interactions among soil cover classes, emphasizing priority areas for enhancing environmental quality. Most of them should be prioritized by decision makers due to the low environmental quality, as identified by the low green index and worse ecosystem services, well-being, and health outcomes. The method can be employed in many other cities to enhance urban ecosystem quality, well-being, and health. The green index and supervised classification can characterize pastures, degraded forest fragments, and guide forest restoration techniques in diverse landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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16 pages, 2602 KiB  
Article
Exploring Landscape Design Intensity Effects on Visual Preferences and Eye Fixations in Urban Forests: Insights from Eye Tracking Technology
by Yuxiang Lan, Qunyue Liu and Zhipeng Zhu
Forests 2023, 14(8), 1628; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14081628 - 12 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1035
Abstract
Individuals’ preferences for urban forest scenes are an essential factor in the design process. This study explores the connection between landscape design intensity, visual preferences, and eye fixations in urban forest scenes. Five pictures representing different urban forest scenes (plaza, lawn, garden path, [...] Read more.
Individuals’ preferences for urban forest scenes are an essential factor in the design process. This study explores the connection between landscape design intensity, visual preferences, and eye fixations in urban forest scenes. Five pictures representing different urban forest scenes (plaza, lawn, garden path, pond, and rockery) were selected as stimuli, representing the original landscape design intensity. Three additional levels of design intensity (low, moderate, and high) were created by modifying the landscape elements of the original picture. A group of 50 participants was randomly assigned to observe the four levels of design intensity pictures within each type of landscape using eye-tracking technology. They also rated their preferences for each scene. In total, 250 participants took part in the study, with five groups observing five types of urban forest scenes. The results indicate that landscape design intensity has a positive impact on visual preferences, with moderate design intensity showing the strongest effect. However, the influence of design intensity and preferences also depends on the specific landscape scene. The fixation data did not show a significant relationship with design intensity but were associated with the type of landscape scene. In conclusion, this study suggests that moderate design intensity is recommended for urban forest design. However, it also highlights the importance of considering the specific landscape scene type. The research provides valuable insights into urban forest design and contributes to the understanding of eye-tracking technology in landscape perception studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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14 pages, 3644 KiB  
Article
Landscape Features Impact the Spatial Heterogeneity of Visitation Density within a Comprehensive Park: What Are the Seasonal and Diurnal Variations?
by Yulin Peng, Dexin Gan, Zhengwu Cai, Mingxi Xiao, Di Shu, Can Wu, Xiaoying Yu and Xiaoma Li
Forests 2023, 14(8), 1627; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14081627 - 11 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 996
Abstract
Urban parks are the main place for physical activities, generating numerous benefits to enhance human well-being. Many studies have investigated the impacts of landscape features on park visitation but ignored their seasonal and diurnal variations. Taking the Hunan Martyr Park in China as [...] Read more.
Urban parks are the main place for physical activities, generating numerous benefits to enhance human well-being. Many studies have investigated the impacts of landscape features on park visitation but ignored their seasonal and diurnal variations. Taking the Hunan Martyr Park in China as an example, this study aims to assess the seasonal and diurnal variations in the impacts of landscape features on visitation density. We quantified visitation density for 109 activity zones for both daytime and nighttime in summer and winter and investigated the impacts of landscape features of the activity zone and the surrounding environments on visitation density based on 16 quantitative indicators. The results show that: (1) The impacts of ground condition, connection to water, distance to park entrances, and distance to stores were consistent in different periods. Paved activity zones, zones close to water, zones further away from the park entrances, and zones closer to the stores had significantly higher visitation density. (2) Shading degree, connected pathway, and distance to toilets had contrasting impacts between summer and winter. Zones with a higher shading degree attracted more visitors in summer and deterred visitors in winter. Zones with fewer pathways connected and zones farther away from toilets had higher visitation density in summer but not in winter. (3) Shading degree, number of trees, presence of facilities (e.g., benches, tables, pavilion, and light devices), and connected pathway had contrasting impacts between daytime and nighttime. Zones with a high shading degree, zones with benches and pavilions, and zones without trees had higher visitation density in the daytime. Zones with light devices, zones with more connected pathways, and zones without tables had higher visitation density at nighttime. These findings highlighted the seasonal and diurnal variation of the impacts of landscape features on park visitation and can help to improve urban park design, especially for cities with hot summers and cold winters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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17 pages, 5841 KiB  
Article
How Vegetation Colorization Design Affects Urban Forest Aesthetic Preference and Visual Attention: An Eye-Tracking Study
by Ziru Chen, Yaling Huang, Yuanping Shen, Weicong Fu, Xiong Yao, Jingkai Huang, Yuxiang Lan, Zhipeng Zhu and Jiaying Dong
Forests 2023, 14(7), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071491 - 21 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1218
Abstract
The enhancement of the urban forest landscape through vegetation colorization has emerged as a continuous concern for urban managers in southern Chinese cities. However, the understanding of how designers can effectively select the appropriate form and intensity of colorization design to align with [...] Read more.
The enhancement of the urban forest landscape through vegetation colorization has emerged as a continuous concern for urban managers in southern Chinese cities. However, the understanding of how designers can effectively select the appropriate form and intensity of colorization design to align with users’ aesthetic preferences remains limited. The process of visual perception is closely intertwined with eye movements. Employing visualization techniques, this research aims to investigate the impact of colorization design on aesthetic benefits and eye movements in urban forests, considering four intensities (slight, low, medium, and high) and three forms (aggregate, homogeneous, and random). A total of 183 participants (with an average age of 23.5 ± 2.5 years) were randomly assigned to three groups to assess the aesthetics score, while eye-tracking devices were utilized to record eye movement behaviors. The outcomes indicate that a homogeneous design form and a moderate intensity of landscaping yield higher scenic benefits for urban forests. In the case of canopy landscape, both the form and intensity of landscaping have a significant influence on urban forest aesthetics. The HCI with aggregate form showed the best marginal effect (1.313). In contrast, MCI showed the best marginal effect when the design form was random and homogeneous (1.438, 1.308). Furthermore, although the form and intensity of the colorization design significantly affect eye exploration, the perception of landscape aesthetics does not correlate with eye movements. These findings provide valuable insights for design policies aimed at promoting the urban forest landscape, while also contributing to the enrichment of research in landscape perception studies employing eye-tracking technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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13 pages, 2642 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Soundscape Perception in Urban Forests Using Acoustic Indices: A Case Study in Beijing
by Qi Bian, Chang Zhang, Cheng Wang, Luqin Yin, Wenjing Han and Shujing Zhang
Forests 2023, 14(7), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071435 - 12 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
Soundscape is an essential component of urban forest landscapes, acoustic indices can be effectively used to monitor biodiversity, but whether they can be used for soundscape perception assessments needs to be further explored. In this study, soundscape recordings were collected in Beijing Eastern [...] Read more.
Soundscape is an essential component of urban forest landscapes, acoustic indices can be effectively used to monitor biodiversity, but whether they can be used for soundscape perception assessments needs to be further explored. In this study, soundscape recordings were collected in Beijing Eastern Suburban Forest Park, and acoustic indices were used to explore the relationship between the acoustic environment and soundscape perception, as well as the possible effects of temporal changes. To achieve this, audio recordings collected in spring and summer were divided, and a total of 90 audio segments were extracted from three time periods—morning, afternoon, and evening—to calculate the acoustic index and complete a questionnaire survey. The urban forest soundscape was evaluated according to the eight perceptual attribute quality indicators of ISO 12913, and generalized linear models were constructed to quantify the relationships between the acoustic indices and perception. The results showed that the temporal variation of the soundscape influenced the subjective evaluation, with the highest overall evaluation relating to the morning soundscape. The combination of acoustic indices explained the soundscape pleasantness (R2 = 0.58) better than the soundscape eventfulness (R2 = 0.54), demonstrating the utility of these indices in soundscape assessment. Linking acoustic indices to human perception generates innovative ideas and theoretical support for soundscape enhancement, contributing to a more pleasant acoustic environment and maximizing the social value of urban forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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Review

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18 pages, 1602 KiB  
Review
Review on the Application of Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Forest Planning and Sustainable Management
by Jiajia Zhao, Clive Davies, Charlotte Veal, Chengyang Xu, Xinna Zhang and Fengzhen Yu
Forests 2024, 15(4), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15040727 - 21 Apr 2024
Viewed by 671
Abstract
Despite growing recognition of nature-based solutions (NBS), there remains a research gap in understanding their implementation in urban areas, which poses a significant challenge for urban forest development. Therefore, our paper aims to explore the intersection of NBS with urban forests (UF), identify [...] Read more.
Despite growing recognition of nature-based solutions (NBS), there remains a research gap in understanding their implementation in urban areas, which poses a significant challenge for urban forest development. Therefore, our paper aims to explore the intersection of NBS with urban forests (UF), identify current barriers, propose strategies to maximize the potential of urban forests as nature-based solutions (UF-NBS) in effectively improving the resilience of urban forests, and enhance the service capacity of urban forest ecosystems. To achieve our objective, we conducted a comprehensive analysis that included a bibliometric review to summarize the evolution of the UF-NBS literature and classify UF-NBS types for the first time. Subsequently, we identified and organized current challenges faced by UF-NBS. Additionally, we proposed an original technological framework system for urban forest development based on NBS principles. The results show the significance of UF-NBS for enhancing urban resilience and human wellbeing, with multiple successful implementations in both China and Europe, validating their effectiveness. However, the implementation of UF-NBS faces several challenges, including inadequate financing, the gap between scientific knowledge and practical implementation, the absence of region-specific information, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. This study contributes to establishing a scientific theoretical basis for integrating UF and NBS and provides a systematic approach for decision-makers in urban forest management. Future research should focus on exploring the integration of UF within the NBS framework and prioritize knowledge sharing, international cooperation, and education initiatives to promote the global adoption of UF-NBS and address pressing urban challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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18 pages, 3738 KiB  
Review
Temperature and Precipitation Significantly Affect Resource Allocation in Dioecious Plants: A Meta-Analysis
by Mingjie Zhao, Xinna Zhang, Chengyang Xu, Pin Li and Raffaele Latortezza
Forests 2024, 15(4), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15040720 - 19 Apr 2024
Viewed by 488
Abstract
Dioecious plants are often used in landscaping because of sex differences in individual appearance, resistance and ornamental value. Although a large number of studies have investigated the overall differences in resource allocation between different sexes in dioecious plants, the effects of environmental factors [...] Read more.
Dioecious plants are often used in landscaping because of sex differences in individual appearance, resistance and ornamental value. Although a large number of studies have investigated the overall differences in resource allocation between different sexes in dioecious plants, the effects of environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation on resource allocation in sex-dimorphic plants are not fully understood. In order to explore the influencing factors, 39 works of literature on dioecious plant resource allocation published in English databases from 1992 to 2023 were selected, and the biomass data of dioecious plant stems, leaves, flowers and fruits from these pieces of literature were extracted. A total of 545 independent experimental groups were obtained, which were divided into four groups for analysis, and the data were analyzed using METAWIN 2.1 software. Four sets of data were used to quantitatively study the effects of different temperatures, precipitations and life forms on the resource allocation of dioecious plants of different sexes in large-scale space. The results showed that female plants invested more resources in reproductive growth and less resources in vegetative growth. In terms of total biomass, the average biomass of female plants was 3.09% higher than that of male plants, indicating that female plants reduced nutrient investment to compensate for reproductive investment in the process of resource allocation. Temperature and precipitation significantly affect the adaptability of male and female plants to environmental changes and the cooperative relationships among the stressed components. The vegetative biomass investment of female plants showed a positive correlation with the increase in temperature, while the reproductive biomass showed a negative correlation with the decrease. The average annual precipitation had little effect on the vegetative biomass of dioecious plants, but had a significant effect on reproductive biomass. The study of this trade-off relationship is helpful in revealing the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth of plants, exploring the countermeasures of plant life history, and providing a scientific basis for urban landscaping and urban forest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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