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This article is about forests in cities. For the general use of trees in cities, see Urban forestry.

An urban forest is a forest, or a collection of trees, that grow within a city, town or a suburb. In a wider sense, it may include any kind of woody plant vegetation growing in and around human settlements. As opposed to a forest park, whose ecosystems are also inherited from wilderness leftovers, urban forests often lack amenities like public bathrooms paved paths, or sometimes distinct borders which are distinct features of parks. Care and management of urban forests is called urban forestry. Urban forests may be publicly owned municipal forests, but the latter may also be located outside of the town or city to which they belong. [1]

Urban Forests Around the World

Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In many countries there is a growing understanding of the importance of the natural ecology in urban forests. There are numerous projects underway aimed at restoration and preservation of ecosystems, ranging from simple elimination of leaf-raking and elimination of invasive plants to full-blown reintroduction of original species and riparian ecosystems.

Some sources claim that the largest man-made urban forest in the world is located in Johannesburg in South Africa. [3,4,5] Others have disputed this claim due to satellite pictures revealing how developed the city is with roads and buildings. Johannesburg, however, is still a very densely wooded city with reportedly 6.0 million trees planted throughout streets and private lots.[1]

Tijuca Forest, in Rio de Janeiro, has also been considered to be the largest urban forest. [7,8] It began as a restoration policy in 1844 to conserve the natural remnants of forest and replant in areas previously cleared for sugar and coffee. The larger metropolitan area encircle the forest which moderates the humid climate and provides sources of recreation for urban dwellers.

Nebraska National Forest is the largest man-made forest in the United States located in the state of Nebraska. It lies in several counties within the state and is a popular destination for campers year-round.

Several cities within the United States have also taken initiative investing in their urban forests to improve the well-being and economies of their communities. Some notable cities among them are Austin, New York, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. New York, for example, has taken initiative to combat climate change by planting millions of trees around the city. In Austin, private companies are funding tree-planting campaigns for environmental and energy-saving purposes.

Environmental Impact

Urban forests moderate local climate, slowing wind and stormwater, and filter sunlight. [2]. They are critical in cooling the urban heat island effect, thus potentially reducing the number of unhealthful ozone days that plague major cities in peak summer months. [citation needed]

Air Pollution Reduction

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Rainwater Runoff Reduction

Urban forests and trees help purify water sources by slowing down rain as it falls to the earth and help it soak into the soil, thereby naturally filtering out pollutants that can potentially enter water supply sources. They reduce storm water runoff and mitigate flood damage, protecting the surrounding rivers and lakes. Since water is an irreplaceable resource, planting trees, hence enhancing urban forestry, can help protect and clean a city's water supply.

Urban Wildlife

Trees in urban forests provide food and shelter for wildlife in cities. Birds and small mammals use trees as nesting sites, and reptiles use the shade they provide to keep cool in the hot summer months. Furthermore, trees provide shade necessary for shrubbery. Not only do urban forests protect land animals and plants, they also sustain fish and water animals that need shade and lower temperatures to survive.

Economic Impacts

Urban forests shade homes and businesses to conserve energy. [2]

Energy and CO₂ Consumption

Urban forests contribute to the reduction of energy usage and CO₂ emissions primarily through the indirect effects of an efficient forestry implementation . The shade provided by trees reduces the need for heating and cooling throughout the year. As a result, energy conservation is achieved which leads to a reduction of CO₂ emissions by power plants. Computer models indicate that annual energy consumption can be reduced by 30 billion kWh using 100 million trees in U.S. urban areas. This energy consumption decrease equates to monetary savings of $2 billion. Additionally, the reduction of energy demand would reduce power plant CO₂ emissions by 9 million tons per year.

Water Filtration

The stormwater retention provided by urban forests can provide monetary savings even in arid regions where water is expensive or watering conservation is enforced. One example of this can be seen in a study carried out over 40 years in Tucson, AZ which analyzed the savings of stormwater management costs. Over this period, it was calculated that $600,000 in stormwater treatment costs were saved. It was also observed that the net water consumption was reduced when comparing the water required for irrigation vs power plant water consumption due to the effects of urban forests on energy usage.

In another instance, New York City leaders in the late 1990s chose to pursue a natural landscape management instead of an expensive water treatment system to clean the Catskill/Delaware watershed. New Yorkers today enjoy some of the healthiest drinking water in the world.

Increase in Property Values

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Tourism and Local Business Expansion

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Sociological Impacts

Community Health Impact

Urban forest offer many benefits to the surrounding communities. Removing pollutants and greenhouse gases from the air is one key reasons why cities are adopting the practice. Removing toxins from the air, urban forests can lower risks of asthma and lung cancer. Communities that rely on well-water may also see a positive change in water purity due to filtration. The amenities provided by the city of each urban forest varies , some you would likely see are trails and pathways for walking or running, picnic tables, and bathrooms. These areas provide the community a place to gather and live a more active lifestyle in a healthier space. The Biophilia hypothesis argues that people are instinctively drawn to nature, while Attention Restoration Theory goes on to demonstrate tangible improvements in medical, academic and other outcomes, from access to nature. Proper planning and community involvement are important for the positive results to be realized.

Mental Health Impact

Along with cleaner air and water urban forests also positively impact mental health. As an experimental mental health intervention, Philadelphia removed trash from vacant lots and selectively "greened" some of the lots. The vacant lots that were "greened", included the plantings of trees, grass, and small fences. Residents near the "greened" lots who had incomes below the poverty line reported a decrease in feelings of depression of 68%, while residents with incomes above the poverty line reported a decrease of 41%. Furthermore, by removing trash from vacant lots, without installing landscaping, not have an observable mental health impact.[18]