The environmental benefits of urban forests

Abstract

Urban and community forests function to mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization by moderating climate, conserving energy, carbon dioxide, and water, improving air quality, controlling rainfall runoff and flooding, lowering noise levels, harboring wildlife, and enhancing the attractiveness of cities. The economic value of these environmental benefits exceeds 3 billion dollars a year and substantial additional value can be inferred for the less tangible benefits associated with wildlife and aesthetics. These benefits may be partially offset by problems vegetation can pose such as pollen production, hydrocarbon emissions, green waste disposal, water consumption, and displacement of native species by aggressive exotics. This paper outlines the need for research that urban forest managers can apply to maximize environmental benefits while minimizing costs.

Citation

McPherson, E. Gregory; Rowntree, Rowan A. 1991. The environmental benefits of urban forests. In: International Society of Arboriculture, ed. A National Research Agenda for Urban Forestry in the 1990's. Urbana, IL: International Society of Arboriculture: 45-49.