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Sustainability
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Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities
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Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Forestry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 March 2023) | Viewed by 15216

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Burnell Fischer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
Interests: urban forestry; urban ecology; urban social-ecological systems
Prof. Dr. Richard Hauer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481, USA
Interests: street trees; urban forests; greenspace; land surveying; risk assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Jess Vogt

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Studies, College of Science and Health, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Interests: ecology; urban forestry; environmental science; urban/rural sociology; qualitative social research; quantitative social research; sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban trees and forests are vital infrastructure for sustainable cities. As urban areas continue to grow geographically and in population, maintaining and growing trees/forests in places with concentrations of people is more vital than ever in the context of making cities sustainable. Finding ways to effectively, efficiently, and equitably plant, grow, and manage urban tree populations, both public and private, and integrating this management into broader town sustainability efforts, is critical for urban forest management to really be successful and a leader in city sustainability efforts. In this Special Issue, we invite papers that highlight forward thinking urban forest management for sustainable cities. We broadly define sustainable urban forests as meeting the future needs of people using the most modern and original practices that meet the social and ecologic needs of a community. We invite the submission of  papers for publication with a focus on integrating sustainable urban forestry and related urban greenspace management into sustainable cities. Topical areas should involve some aspect of sustainable practice through urban forest management, for example:

  • Adapting to and planning for climate change;
  • Growth and longevity studies that explore urban forest management over decades or longer;
  • Inventory and assessment that lead to integrated plans and connection to sustainable city planning;
  • Innovative educational outreach programs that link urban forestry to sustainable cities;
  • Integrative and polycentric governance approaches to incorporating urban forest management within sustainable cities/urban areas;
  • Meta-analysis of multiple cities and/or urban areas;
  • Models that incorporate urban forestry sustainability into fostering sustainable cities;
  • Urban tree health detection and planning for the future.

The focus of this Special Issues is innovative urban forest management for sustainable cities.

The scope is exploring how the practice of modern urban forest management can benefit and connect to sustainable cities.

The purpose of the Special Issue to highlight research on urban forest management for sustainable cities.

Urban forest management and the sustainability of both urban trees and urban forests, as well as the research it is based on, predate more recent efforts in the sustainability of cities. This issue will attempt to bring the two fields of practice and research closer together.

Prof. Dr. Burnell Fischer
Prof. Dr. Rich Hauer
Prof. Dr. Jess Vogt
Guest Editors

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • innovative urban forestry
  • adapting to climate change
  • urban forests and sustainable cities
  • meta-analysis
  • models for urban forestry
  • urban forest health

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1148 KiB  
Article
Extension Agents’ Perceptions, Practices, and Needs of Urban Forestry: A Case Study from Tennessee, United States
by Yujuan Chen, De’Etra Young, Jason de Koff and Kofi Britwum
Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15328; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115328 - 26 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1159
Abstract
Urban forests are essential green infrastructure for sustainable cities. However, existing studies are mainly focused on the general public’s perception and needs of urban forestry, and little is known about non-traditional educators like extension agents. To address this gap, the main objective of [...] Read more.
Urban forests are essential green infrastructure for sustainable cities. However, existing studies are mainly focused on the general public’s perception and needs of urban forestry, and little is known about non-traditional educators like extension agents. To address this gap, the main objective of this study is to explore extension agents’ perceptions, practices, and future training needs. Specifically, a statewide online survey consisting of 33 questions was designed and disseminated to extension agents in Tennessee via email with 64 responses. We found that the majority of respondents valued urban forestry, with 68.9% of them believing that urban forests are very important, especially for providing shade, cooling, energy saving, aesthetic values/beautification, increasing property values, and wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Their main clientele includes homeowners, farmers, and landowners, and 63.3% of extension agents reported that they have received urban forestry-related requests. However, less than half of them are comfortable addressing these requests, and over 50% of them reported that they are slightly or not knowledgeable about urban forestry. Additionally, the interest in urban forestry is high, with 98.3% of respondents having some level of interest in urban forestry. This demonstrates great potential for urban forestry education, extension, and training in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities)
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36 pages, 49769 KiB  
Article
Urban ʻĀina: An Indigenous, Biocultural Pathway to Transforming Urban Spaces
by ʻĀina of Kaʻōnohi, Anthony K. Deluze, Kamuela Enos, Kialoa Mossman, Indrajit Gunasekera, Danielle Espiritu, Chelsey Jay, Puni Jackson, Sean Connelly, Maya H. Han, Christian P. Giardina, Heather McMillen and Manu Aluli Meyer
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 9937; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139937 - 21 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4052
Abstract
What does contemporary Indigenous stewardship look like in urban spaces? We answer this question by exploring Urban ʻĀina, a practice-based Native Hawaiian paradigm that shapes how we engage urban landscapes as Indigenous spaces, revitalizes the expression of Indigenous knowledge, and relies on Indigenous [...] Read more.
What does contemporary Indigenous stewardship look like in urban spaces? We answer this question by exploring Urban ʻĀina, a practice-based Native Hawaiian paradigm that shapes how we engage urban landscapes as Indigenous spaces, revitalizes the expression of Indigenous knowledge, and relies on Indigenous sensibilities to address and respond to modern issues such as food security, ecological degradation, and the climate change crisis. We find that places shaped by Urban ʻĀina practices serve as cultural kīpuka—biocultural refugia where kincentric, reciprocal relationships are honored through the engagement of ancestral knowledge. In Hawaiʻi, efforts to maintain these kincentric relationships continue to be challenged by political, socioeconomic, environmental, psychological, and spiritual disruptions that have their origin in the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Our research methodology and the paper’s resulting structure rely on ceremony and the Pewa Framework, which were selected to transport you through our restoration process. This exploration and the sharing of innovative case studies from urban Oʻahu bring breath and the healing power of Indigenous knowledge and ancestral practices to urban spaces, with the aim of transforming contemporary conceptions of urban stewardship. Through our process, we demonstrate how revitalized ancestral practices foster ecological sustainability, restorative justice, biocultural continuity, food sovereignty, regenerative forestry, and community wellbeing in urban spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities)
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18 pages, 4342 KiB  
Article
Urban Stream Corridors and Forest Patches—The Connections: A Case Study of Bloomington, IN
by Gretchen M. Luchauer, Stephanie Freeman-Day and Burnell C. Fischer
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8064; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108064 - 16 May 2023
Viewed by 1317
Abstract
Streams and forests are ecosystems connected through hydrology, but few studies have looked at the connectivity between streams and forests in the context of urban development. City-made decisions affect connections between streams and forests by isolating both ecosystems. Streams are often channelized or [...] Read more.
Streams and forests are ecosystems connected through hydrology, but few studies have looked at the connectivity between streams and forests in the context of urban development. City-made decisions affect connections between streams and forests by isolating both ecosystems. Streams are often channelized or buried to increase potential development areas. Forests often become fragmented and may be removed unless protected. Historical choices in land usage affect the sites and sizes of current urban streams, forests, and development. This affects the distribution of impervious surfaces, which separates streams from forests. Despite these barriers to stream/forest interactions, cities can experience stream/forest connectivity. Seven Bloomington watersheds are ranked on their proportions of buried streams, channelized streams, forested hydrology, forested streams, urban forest patch cover, and impervious surface cover, along with the historical presence of urbanization. Watersheds demonstrate stream/forest connectivity, with five watersheds containing 50% or greater forested stream segments. Bloomington canopy cover reduces stormwater runoff by approximately 127 kiloliters per year. These forested areas reduce flooding, reduce nutrient loading, and reduce stream conditions associated with urban stream syndrome. Understanding urban stream/forest connectivity can improve green infrastructure design and green space design, which improve urban resilience and better connect residents to the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities)
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25 pages, 752 KiB  
Article
Cooler and Healthier: Increasing Tree Stewardship and Reducing Heat-Health Risk Using Community-Based Urban Forestry
by Edith B. de Guzman, Erica L. Wohldmann and David P. Eisenman
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6716; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086716 - 15 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1992
Abstract
Heat exposure poses health risks that disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities. Trees protect against heat, but significant barriers exist to growing robust urban forests. In drier climates, complex logistics of watering during a multi-year establishment period pose a challenge because street trees are typically [...] Read more.
Heat exposure poses health risks that disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities. Trees protect against heat, but significant barriers exist to growing robust urban forests. In drier climates, complex logistics of watering during a multi-year establishment period pose a challenge because street trees are typically unirrigated and funding for maintenance is generally unavailable. This study tested the impacts of varying theory-guided community engagement approaches on beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors related to foster street tree stewardship and individual-level heat mitigation actions in 116 households in Los Angeles County, USA. We tested a control intervention against experimental messaging focused on either public health or environmental health, and also segmented participants by the degree of prior household engagement with a local tree planting group. Outcomes measured were soil moisture, tree health, and survey responses indicating benefits and barriers related to tree stewardship. Results indicate that intervention messages had limited effect on these outcomes, and that level of engagement by the tree planting group was a stronger predictor of tree stewardship. We also found that tree stewardship correlated positively to heat protection measures, suggesting that environmental engagement may be an effective portal to reducing heat risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities)
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20 pages, 701 KiB  
Article
Arborists and Urban Foresters Support for Urban Wildlife and Habitat Sustainability: Results of an Urban Ecology-Focused Survey of Arborists
by Alexander James Fricke Martin and Andrew Almas
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15962; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315962 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2516
Abstract
Urbanization is causing fragmentation of natural areas and impacting urban wildlife populations. Sustainability of wildlife and their habitat in arboriculture has focused on three key areas: retaining wildlife snags and beneficial-tree features (e.g., hollows/cavities), education of arborists and the public, and the adoption [...] Read more.
Urbanization is causing fragmentation of natural areas and impacting urban wildlife populations. Sustainability of wildlife and their habitat in arboriculture has focused on three key areas: retaining wildlife snags and beneficial-tree features (e.g., hollows/cavities), education of arborists and the public, and the adoption of systems-level thinking into arboriculture (i.e., the consideration of wildlife in risk matrices and pruning objectives). We surveyed 805 arborists using an international online survey to examine how arborists perceive these key areas of wildlife conservation and sustainability in urban forest management. Systems-level thinking was the highest rated method for arborists to support urban wildlife, followed by the retaining of wildlife snags. Education and the involvement of conservation groups received lower ratings, and the retainment of branches with hollows or cavities received the lowest ratings. In selecting important factors for wildlife snag retainment, arborists were most concerned with tree risk and targets, followed by setting (urban versus rural) and use of the tree by wildlife. Other factors that are the concern of urban ecologists were less important to respondents. Our findings support continued urban ecology education for arborists which focuses on whole/complex systems thinking to develop sustainable urban forest management practices which benefit urban wildlife. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities)
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17 pages, 310 KiB  
Article
Homebuilder Activities and Knowledge of Tree Preservation during Construction: Comparison of Practitioners in Rural and Urban Locations
by Keith O’Herrin, Richard Hauer, Kaitlyn Pike and Jess Vogt
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2753; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052753 - 26 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2228
Abstract
Preservation of existing trees is one of the few tools available to communities seeking to maintain or increase tree canopy coverage. This study compared the knowledge and activities of builders in an urban locale with a strict tree preservation ordinance and rigorous enforcement [...] Read more.
Preservation of existing trees is one of the few tools available to communities seeking to maintain or increase tree canopy coverage. This study compared the knowledge and activities of builders in an urban locale with a strict tree preservation ordinance and rigorous enforcement against a rural locale with no tree preservation ordinance. Overall, there were more similarities than differences between the two groups though some of those differences are very important. Urban builders and rural builders scored a very similar average of correct responses on questions testing their knowledge: 63% and 65%, respectively. The major difference between urban and rural appears to be in activities as dictated by ordinance. Urban builders were more likely to consult tree preservation experts and use tree fence to create tree protection zones. The successful tree preservation outcomes in the urban community are likely a direct result of ordinance requirements and enforcement by the City Forester, not builders’ knowledge or their conscious decisions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forward Thinking Urban Forest Management for Sustainable Cities)
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