Chapter 16 - Urban forestry

Abstract

For thousands of years, humankind has understood the benefits and usefulness of trees within and around their settlements. As expanding human populations have transformed the Earth's surface to meet their housing, employment, transportation, and food needs, urban forests and urban forestry concepts have emerged to play an important role in the health and welfare of local communities. The roadside planting of trees, development of green belts, and creation of urban parks are ways in which communities can facilitate the attainment of ecosystem services that are important not only for their local citizens but also for the well-being of the Earth's biosphere. The ameliorative effect of trees in modifying local temperatures saves energy necessary for heating and cooling homes and businesses. The use of urban forests for carbon sequestration, maintaining biological diversity, recreation, stormwater and erosion control, and watershed protection also allows communities to enhance the living and working environments of their citizens. The accumulation of benefits provided by urban forests can improve property values, which may not only help landowners but also local governments that may be seeking improvements to revenue streams. Most importantly, urban forests offer people an opportunity to connect with nature, which can have important emotional, physiological, and spiritual effects on their quality of life.