D6q: Forest and ecosystem services in cities: achievements and expectations

Mata da Izidora (Izidora Woods) is a threatened urban forest located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It is the most extensive remnant of vegetation of this municipality that is not a protected area, covering an approximate area of 10,000,000 m², with a biodiversity relative to the Atlantic Forest and Brazilian Savanna Biomes. It is susceptible to complex interactions inside and outside its boundaries. In its interior, there are particular rural properties, one quilombola community and three urban occupations. In addition to the internal interactions that influence the local dynamics, the interests of the public power and the real estate sector should also be taken into account. This study main aim was to "identify possibilities for the survival of urban forest fragments through social appropriations". In order to achieve this objective, we sought to extensively present the addressed issue through documents, reports, maps, figures, semi-structured interviews and poetry. In this scenario, a problematization of the reality of space were carried out with the data obtained, in order to analyze the motivations for social coexistence or not with Mata da Izidora. As a result of the possibilities identified, this work recommended the creation of a conservation unit as an alternative to reconcile some of the yearnings for the area, corresponding to category VI “Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources” of the IUCN Protected Area Categories System. This work intends to contribute to the discussions on urban forest fragments and with other possibilities for the coexistence between nature and city.

Urban landscapes are often determined by their green areas, which fulfils various needs of both inhabitants and visitors, hence urban green infrastructure (UGI) has a highly potential role in city branding. This research contributes to knowledge regarding trends of tourists’ uses of UGI in Europe. In order to achieve a broader applicability of the study, a cross-cultural approach was adopted and carried out with the aid of face-to-face interviews with foreign tourists in the Czech Republic, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia and United Kingdom. The study research questions addressed tourists’ perceptions, understanding and uses of UGI, and the ways that this understanding influences tourists’ choice of visiting a certain city. The selection of case studies follows a roughly comparative logic, namely on-site questionnaire surveys administered in large and medium size cities in these Southern, Central and Northern European countries. In the context of a series of very interesting findings responding to our study’s research questions, our results show that tourists visiting Northern and Central European cities show more interest in and intention to visit UGI, than tourists visiting Southern European cities. Such north-south differences emerged concerning more than one of our study variables, including willingness to pay for the use of UGI, thus opening up a broad field for data interpretation and discussion, which helps in understanding how tourists view, use, benefit from, and impact UGI. This may support future improvement of UGI planning and management, and strengthen the role of UGI in cities tourism development.

This paper aims to investigate the Beijing citizens’ preferences over various options of urban forest management strategies. The literature review and expert Delphi method were employed to rank the importance of 18 ecosystem services (ESs) and to classify the ecosystem services of urban forests into 6 categories: (1) fresh water, (2) noise reduction, (3) moderation of extreme events, (4) air quality regulation, (5) species diversity and wildlife habitat, and (6) recreation and spiritual experience. The main choice experiment survey was conducted by interviewing Beijing citizens who have visited any one of the urban forests located in Beijing. The results are as follows: Firstly, the air quality regulation ES was considered as the most influential service received from urban forest for citizens. They were willing to pay 85~264 RMB/year to invest in urban forest expansion for improving air quality. In addition, they regarded the fresh water as the second-most important ES. Secondly, citizens with high monthly household income were more willing to pay for urban forest ESs. Thirdly, apartment owners were willing to pay municipality tax more compared to non-apartment owners. Fourthly, citizens emotionally connected to Beijing tend to willing to pay more municipality tax. The results indicate that citizens are willing to pay a higher tax for supporting urban forestry for air quality improvement. This research suggests for urban environmental policy makers in Beijing to pay more attention to air quality regulation function of forests when designing and managing urban forests to satisfy its visitors’ preferences and improve citizens’ welfare.

This present research aims to identify the ecosystem services (SE) of urban green areas of Curitiba, capital city of Paraná, Brazil. Using an exploratory method, a qualitative research was carried out with specialists in the environment through the Ecosystem Services Review (ESR) tool, in order to identify the most important SEs related to the generation of socioeconomic well-being. The study sites are representative of the main geographic and phytophysiognomic contexts of the city, which together accumulate a total of 40 protected hectares, encompassing a fragment of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, as well as the last remnants of Steppes of Curitiba. It is possible to conclude that the ecosystem services studied, especially those identified as more relevant, should be carefully observed and incorporated into the management of urban green areas. In addition, it was possible to identify which SEs are considered irreplaceable, in the case of suppression of green areas.

The irregular occupation of high voltage power line right of ways is a reality in multiple countries, especially in metropolitan areas. In Minas Gerais, Brazil, there are estimates of nearly 80.000 people living in these right of ways. Irregular occupation causes hazards not only for the population living in theses areas, but are also a conflict for the concession companies that depend on these areas for access, repairs and maintenance. The occupation problem needs to be treated with multiple solutions, including prevention of new occurrences through sustainable land uses and practices. One of the sustainable management models proposed is implementing urban forests along the right of way, not only increasing ecological corridors and landscape connectivity in urban landscapes but also increasing quality of life for the population. The problem encountered in this solution is the conflict between power lines, vegetation height, legislations and standards. We present an overview of the conflicts, harmonies and synergies that exist in Brazil and other countries with similar cases. We also make a diagnostic of São Paulo metropolitan area and the concession lines of ISA CTEEP. Finally, we propose a regional zoning where urban forests could be implemented and the probable social and environmental gains.

Este trabalho avaliou a importância da arborização no campus Centro Politécnico, foi realizado uma revisão bibliográfica e um estudo de caso, com aplicação de um questionário de sensibilização com o propósito de conhecer o perfil da comunidade acadêmica e transeuntes que frequentam o campus. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: gênero, idade, estado civil, escolaridade, profissão, tipo de relacionamento com a instituição, forma de deslocamento até a instituição, tempo de permanência, assim como informações pertinentes a arborização urbana, como: qual a importância da arborização nos campi, qual a importância de um programa de educação ambiental nos campi, qual a importância da arborização na qualidade de vida, além de um espaço destinado a sugestões. Os resultados representam cerca de 1% da comunidade acadêmica (333 avaliações), onde foi constatada a predominância do gênero feminino, em comparação ao gênero masculino, a faixa de idade variou entre 20 e 30 anos representando cerca de 60%, o estado civil da população avaliada é predominantemente solteiro e cerca de 50% tem como grau de escolaridade a graduação, desse montante 72% são alunos, que utilizam automóvel particular ou coletivo como forma de deslocamento até a instituição, o tempo de permanência na instituição varia de 20 a 40 horas. Quanto às questões relacionadas à arborização urbana: cerca de 85% considera muito importante a arborização nos campi associado a implementação de programas de educação ambiental e 94% considera muito importante a arborização urbana para a qualidade de vida. Principais sugestões: substituição de espécies exóticas por nativas e por frutíferas.

Nos cenários urbanos dos dias atuais, um dos problemas que mais preocupam governos, empresas, meio acadêmico, instituições globais e a comunidade de forma geral é a escassez de elementos naturais nos ambientes urbanos. Uma maneira de combater esse problema consiste em considerar as áreas verdes como elemento integrante do processo de planejamento das cidades. A qualidade das áreas verdes em um determinado espaço urbano é diretamente influenciada pelos atributos incluídos em cada função, os quais são importantes provisões de bens e serviços (BOLUND; HUNHMMAR, 1999; YOUNG, 2010).  A avaliação de áreas verdes urbanas é útil para a análise do nível de sustentabilidade das cidades, sendo que um dos desafios consiste em identificar as diferentes funções das áreas verdes a fim de avaliar de forma equitativa e integrada a qualidade desses elementos em ambientes urbanos.  Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho apresenta o Índice da Qualidade das Áreas Verdes Urbanas (IQAVU), que avalia a qualidade das mesmas em ambientes urbanos por meio de uma média geométrica entre indicadores das funções Social, Ambiental e Estética. Portanto, uma área verde urbana com deficiência em ao menos uma de suas funções, não pode ser considerada uma área verde funcional. Pretende-se que a aplicação do índice seja possível a qualquer área urbana, independente da realidade demográfica, geográfica ou política. O cálculo do IQAVU, realiza-se mediante à aplicação de uma média geométrica, onde as três funções das áreas verdes tornaram-se subíndices, caracterizadas por um conjunto de indicadores a elas associadas.

Our cities are rapidly changing. Urban planners need to adapt to the new demands posed by a constantly evolving social fabric. People living in cities increasingly have a transient and mobile lifestyle  within the ‘gig economy’ creating disruption to sense of place and ‘ownership’ of the urban environment. In this context, integrating nature into cities brings up unique challenges that need to respond to these evolving needs. 

In 2018, we held a multidisciplinary dialogue to explore practical examples of the process of greening cities in the Oceania region and around the world. We brought together local government officials, urban planners, economists, architects, urban foresters, ecologists, biologists, conservationists, geneticists, policy experts and community engagement specialists to explore the costs and benefits of ‘urban green spaces’ including forests and their ecosystem services. 

We discussed the emerging issues of ‘biodiversity sensitive’ urban design, urban planning in space-constrained areas and urban green sacred spaces. Participants highlighted the need for reconnecting people with nature, and how urban green spaces could provide these opportunities so that people benefit from forests and their ecosystem services in cities. 

While successful examples of integration of nature into cities highlight measurable benefits such as increased environmental sustainability, lifestyle affordability and quality of life, including mental health, integrating nature into cities come at a cost as well. This paper also reports insights into who should pay to make forests and their ecosystem services available for people in a world of rapid change. 

Urbanization can have positive or negative effect on species diversity and conservation. Urban forests could serve as reservoir of species diversity and provide other important ecosystem services, like provision of food and medicine, air quality improvement, windbreak, beautification and provisions of parks and gardens for relaxation and social gathering. This study investigated the impact of urbanization on tree species diversity and conservation using Port Harcourt, Nigerian as case study. Data were collected from green areas (e.g. avenue trees, gardens, parks, educational institutions and religious centres) within the city. All trees with dbh ≥ 10cm were identified, their dbh measured and frequency taken. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index map of the city showing the green areas was produced. There were 56 tree species belonging to 27 families in green spaces in Port Harcourt. Species with high abundance were Terminalia radii, Polyalthia longifolia, Gmelina arborea, Delonix regia and Mangifera indica. Shannon-Wiener diversity, species evenness and Shannon’s max diversity indices were, 3.36, 0.61 and 5.54, respectively. Species with high Important Value Index were Delonix regia, Mangifera indica, Terminalia radii and Gmelina arborea. Mean basal area and volume of trees were 62.13m² and 907.2m³ respectively. The similarity and better biodiversity indices for Port Harcourt in this study compared with those of some tropical rainforests in Nigeria indicates that urban landscapes could be reservoir of biodiversity. It is also an indication of the high species conservation status of urban centres. 

Urban and peri-urban trees provide numerous benefits that can improve human livelihood, human health, ecosystem services and environmental quality in and around urban areas. Some of these benefits include fruits, nuts, vegetables, improvements in air and water quality, building materials, energy provision, cooler air temperatures, reductions in ultraviolet radiation and social services. This research was conducted to assess the level of species diversity and examine socio-economic and environmental importance of trees in urban and peri-urban areas in three vegetation zones of Nigeria, which are essential to formulate policies for management of urban forests. Multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of three (3) vegetation zones, two (2) cities in each vegetation zone and two (2) forest types (one urban and one peri-urban) from each city. The results of tree growth parameter revealed that basal area and volume were significantly different across vegetation zones but other tree growth parameters were not significantly different. The result of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) map for the cities revealed that Port Harcourt has the highest NDVI values followed by Makurdi, Ilorin, Lokoja, Abuja and Ibadan. This study also provided baseline information for policy formulation for the management urban green landscape and the contributions of urban forests to tree species conservation in Nigeria. All stakeholders should also be involved in the management, planning, planting, maintenance and protection of urban and peri-urban forests for healthy trees species conservation.