Understanding the benefits and costs of urban forest ecosystems

Abstract

One of the first considerations in developing a strong and comprehensive urban forestry program is determining the desired outcomes from managing and maintaining vegetation in cities. Urban trees offer a wide range of potential benefits to the urban environment and society. However, there also are a wide range of potential costs and, as with all ecosystems, numerous interactions that must be understood if society is to optimize the net benefits from urban vegetation. Inadequate understanding of the wide range of benefits, costs, and expected outcomes of urban vegetation management designs and plans, as well as interactions among them, may drastically reduce the contribution of vegetation toward improving urban life and the environment.

By altering the type and arrangement of trees in a city (i.e., the urban forest structure), one can directly and indirectly affect the city's physical, biological, and socioeconomic environments. Management plans can be developed and implemented to address specific problems within cities. Though trees can provide mUltiple benefits at one site, not all benefits can be realized in each location. Individual management plans should focus on optimizing the mix of benefits that are most important in a particular area.

Citation

Nowak, David J.; Dwyer, John F. 2000. Understanding the benefits and costs of urban forest ecosystems. In: Kuser, E. J. ed., Handbook of urban and community forestry in the Northeast. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/Plenum: 11-25. Chapter 2.