Enhancing urban climate resilience: A holistic evaluation of urban forest disservices in the aftermath of typhoons

Abstract

Ecosystem services associated with urban forests have gained increasing attention, but there has been a relative lack of focus on the corresponding ecosystem disservices, including financial burdens, air pollution, allergens, pests, diseases, and safety concerns. Situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, Taiwan faces the highest global number of tropical cyclones. Typhoons significantly damage the urban forest ecosystem, especially impacting peripheral residents. Consequently, comprehensive evaluation of urban forest-related policies should also consider disservices induced by natural disasters. Understanding public perspectives on urban forests is crucial for affirming public support, and outcomes of this study can guide government agencies in crafting urban forest planning policies, minimizing risks and casualties during natural disasters. Survey results from Taichung City residents (the second-largest city in Taiwan), highlight key urban forest benefits: shade, picturesque scenery, and stress relief. Disruptions perceived include increased maintenance costs, hazards from broken branches, trunks, and road damage from tree roots. Three prominent ecosystem disservices from natural disasters are identified: power failures, casualties, and property losses from falling branches, and increased cleaning costs. To mitigate disservices and enhance urban forest resilience, recommendations include augmenting the budget for removing unhealthy urban forests, planting structurally stable ones, reinforcing underground cables, and increasing pruning budgets.