sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 March 2023) | Viewed by 21575

Special Issue Editor

Department for Scientific International Cooperation in Southeast Europe – EFISEE, Croatian Forest Research Institute, 10450 Jastrebarsko, Croatia
Interests: forest policy; economics and governance; valuation of ecosystem services; urban forests and urban green areas

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urbanization, population growth and climate change have negative impacts on forest ecosystem services (ES) and on urban green areas, posing difficult challenges to planners and managers, at the same time seriously affecting ecological and social sustainability and human wellbeing.

The basic concept of ES considers that human wellbeing is related to the services provided by nature and by urban green infrastructure. Their degradation also leads to a reduction of the wellbeing in terms of economic value. Services produced by ecosystems include edible fruits as food, the regulation of drinking water amount and quality, natural waste recycling, influence on climate—especially regulating the temperature and tide as well as biodiversity, while also providing places for rest, recreation, reflection and human–human and human–nature interaction.

Forests and urban green areas provide numerous ES that are essential to the wellbeing of residents. However, our understanding of the key variables that determine the provisioning each of these services remains limited, and variability in the effects of green areas’ characteristics among ES complicates the ability for management to provide multiple ES. Thus, the identification of the specific variables associated with each ES is critical to provide insights into ways of achieving and providing the unique set of ES required by users.

Mapping and assessing the importance and value of ES as well as their losses due to rapid urban expansion plays a significant role in sustainable development. Different approaches, models and methods have been proposed in the different research fields for the qualitative, quantitative and monetary evaluation of ecosystem services. There are several types of tools (biophysical, economic, mixed, etc.) at different scales (regional, local, etc.) aimed at biophysical and/or economic dimensions, also integrating multi-criteria analysis with geographical information systems (GISs). Therefore, the assessment and evaluation of ES can play a fundamental role in the evaluation processes of political choices, public investments and entrepreneurial activities.

Urban planning processes supported by ES assessment and analysis lead policy makers to re-think and re-orient their strategies for the sustainable transformation of built areas. The assessment of the impacts of urban transformation processes should take into account economic and no-market goods having the multifunctionality of forests and urban green areas in mind. Currently, planning tools often neglect the ES and their dynamic interactions, while it is necessary to use innovative approaches to address issues that currently represent key points of local, national and international policies (United Nations, 2015).Therefore, it is important and necessary to  integrate social-ecological systems into urban planning, management and governance.

This Special Issue aims to explore innovative approaches for assessing, evaluating and enhancing the sustainability of ES provided by forests and urban green areas in the face of climate change and increasing urbanization concerns. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following keywords.

Dr. Dijana Vuletić
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • •Assessing and evaluating ecosystem services
  • •Ecosystem services, ecosystem disservices, and wellbeing
  • •Urban biodiversity and ecosystem services
  • •Ecosystem service degradation, biodiversity losses
  • •Green infrastructure planning and governance
  • •Modelling ecosystem services
  • •Nature-based solutions
  • •Social-ecological systems
  • •Urban forest
  • •Urban sustainability.

Published Papers (10 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 1348 KiB  
Article
Socio-Economic Value and Availability of Plant-Based Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) within the Charcoal Production Basin of the City of Lubumbashi (DR Congo)
by Dieu-donné N’tambwe Nghonda, Héritier Khoji Muteya, Apollinaire Biloso Moyene, François Malaisse, Yannick Useni Sikuzani, Wilfried Masengo Kalenga and Jan Bogaert
Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14943; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152014943 - 17 Oct 2023
Viewed by 814
Abstract
The overexploitation of forest resources in the charcoal production basin of the city of Lubumbashi (DR Congo) is reducing the resilience of miombo woodlands and threatening the survival of the riparian as well as urban human populations that depend on it. We assessed [...] Read more.
The overexploitation of forest resources in the charcoal production basin of the city of Lubumbashi (DR Congo) is reducing the resilience of miombo woodlands and threatening the survival of the riparian as well as urban human populations that depend on it. We assessed the socio-economic value and availability of plant-based non-timber forest products NTFPs in the rural area of Lubumbashi through ethnobotanical (100 respondents) and socio-economic (90 respondents) interviews, supplemented with floristic inventories, in two village areas selected on the basis of the level of forest degradation. The results show that 60 woody species, including 46 in the degraded forest (Maksem) and 53 in the intact forest (Mwawa), belonging to 22 families are used as sources of NTFPs in both villages. Among these species, 25 are considered priority species. NTFPs are collected for various purposes, including handcrafting, hut building, and traditional medicine. Moreover, the ethnobotanical lists reveal a similarity of almost 75%, indicating that both local communities surveyed use the same species for collecting plant-based NTFPs despite differences in the level of degradation of the miombo woodlands in the two corresponding study areas. However, the plant-based NTFPs that are collected from miombo woodlands and traded in the urban markets have significant economic value, which ranges from USD 0.5 to USD 14.58 per kg depending on the species and uses. NTFPs used for handicraft purposes have a higher economic value than those used for other purposes. However, the sustainability of this activity is threatened due to unsustainable harvesting practices that include stem slashing, root digging, and bark peeling of woody species. Consequently, there is a low availability of plant-based NTFPs, particularly in the village area, where forest degradation is more advanced. It is imperative that policies for monitoring and regulating harvesting and promoting the sustainable management of communities’ plant-based NTFPs as a priority, be undertaken to maintain their resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 5552 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Cultural Ecosystem Services and Well-Being: Testing a Method for Evaluating Natural Environment and Contact Types in the Harku Municipality, Estonia
by Fiona Nevzati, Mart Külvik, Joanna Storie, Liisa-Maria Tiidu and Simon Bell
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10214; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151310214 - 27 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1952
Abstract
This study examined the evaluation of cultural ecosystem services (CESs) and their impact on well-being in peri-urban areas, using a case study in Harku municipality, Estonia. CESs, encompassing intangible factors such as emotions and values, are crucial for well-being but challenging to assess. [...] Read more.
This study examined the evaluation of cultural ecosystem services (CESs) and their impact on well-being in peri-urban areas, using a case study in Harku municipality, Estonia. CESs, encompassing intangible factors such as emotions and values, are crucial for well-being but challenging to assess. To address this, a pilot method was developed, involving a typology of natural environment types (NETs) and contact types (CTs), assessed by a panel of local experts. The results revealed that “spiritual, historic, and symbolic” gardens exhibited a strong positive connection to well-being. Blue and green spaces offering physical activities and aesthetics were also highly rated. Surprisingly, cemeteries scored higher than expected. Agreement among experts varied, with “parks + sporting” showing near-perfect consensus and weaker agreement found in “parks + food production”, “blue spaces + providing gathering places”, and “green landscape elements + education”, highlighting diverse expert perspectives in identifying suitable combinations of NETs and CTs. This study addresses research-to-practice gaps and methodological challenges in applying CESs within planning frameworks, providing valuable insights for managing and conserving services in peri-urban areas. By testing the proposed method, this research contributes to a better understanding of how CESs can be effectively integrated into planning processes, fostering sustainable well-being in peri-urbanised regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 2117 KiB  
Article
A Framework Proposal for the Ex Post Evaluation of a Solution-Driven PES Scheme: The Case of Medvednica Nature Park
by Stefano Bruzzese, Iva Tolić Mandić, Sanja Tišma, Simone Blanc, Filippo Brun and Dijana Vuletić
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8101; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15108101 - 16 May 2023
Viewed by 1160
Abstract
Payments for ecosystem services are a voluntary market-based instrument to remunerate provider(s) of ecosystem services by those who benefit from them. Our research aimed to create an ex post evaluation framework to identify bottlenecks and elements hindering the success of a solution-driven PES [...] Read more.
Payments for ecosystem services are a voluntary market-based instrument to remunerate provider(s) of ecosystem services by those who benefit from them. Our research aimed to create an ex post evaluation framework to identify bottlenecks and elements hindering the success of a solution-driven PES scheme. The framework was applied to a case study to assess its feasibility and concerns the provision of health and recreational services in the Medvednica Nature Park (Zagreb, Croatia). The framework was set up through three main sources: the study of PES implementation project documentation, semi-structured interviews with visitors and key stakeholders, and web-scraping of TripAdvisor reviews of the park. The main findings confirm society’s interest in the park, but the lack of mapping, quantification, and accounting of the services analysed, the little or no demand from society to pay for their provision, and confused knowledge of the property rights of some ecosystem service providers in the area limit the success of the PES scheme. The framework was useful to describe the chosen PES scheme and to identify bottlenecks and fragilities of the system in place, allowing it to correct its application flaws and, on the other hand, to demonstrate its replicability in other contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2712 KiB  
Article
The Urban Heat Island Analysis for the City of Zagreb in the Period 2013–2022 Utilizing Landsat 8 Satellite Imagery
by Ante Seletković, Martina Kičić, Mario Ančić, Jelena Kolić and Renata Pernar
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 3963; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15053963 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6769
Abstract
Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a phenomenon specific to urban areas where higher air temperatures manifest in the city area in relation to its surrounding rural landscape. Currently, UHI is one of the most dangerous environmental conditions for cities as well as their [...] Read more.
Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a phenomenon specific to urban areas where higher air temperatures manifest in the city area in relation to its surrounding rural landscape. Currently, UHI is one of the most dangerous environmental conditions for cities as well as their residents. It is expected that the intensity of UHI will increase with climate change. This work presents an analysis of the UHI phenomenon for the City of Zagreb, Croatia in the summertime period 2013–2022. In order to explore UHI, Land Surface Temperature (LST) was calculated using Landsat 8 (OLI TIRS sensor) satellite imagery. After the delineation of UHI, calculated temperatures were put in relation to NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) and NDBI (Normalised Difference Built-Up Index) indices for the study area. Results show the similarity of mean temperatures over the observed period. However, the influence of external variables on UHI’s spatial expression was observed. Forest-covered areas and other green parts of the city’s infrastructure express the lowest temperatures, while built-up sites are the hottest points in cities. Results confirm the importance of urban green infrastructure for resilient cities and present the results of a long-term UHI observation in a Southeast European city. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4298 KiB  
Article
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Citizens’ Attitudes and Behaviors in the Use of Peri-Urban Forests: An Experience from Italy
by Isabella De Meo, Andrea Alfano, Maria Giulia Cantiani and Alessandro Paletto
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 2852; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15042852 - 04 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1314
Abstract
Peri-urban forests are complex systems capable of providing amenity and scenic values as well as recreational opportunities for citizens. From early 2020, national governments have promulgated restrictions, requiring citizens to adopt a new lifestyle to counter the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Peri-urban forests are complex systems capable of providing amenity and scenic values as well as recreational opportunities for citizens. From early 2020, national governments have promulgated restrictions, requiring citizens to adopt a new lifestyle to counter the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aimed to understand if citizens’ behaviors and attitudes in the use of peri-urban forests are changing due to COVID-19 restrictions. Methodologically, a questionnaire survey was carried out, adopting a systematic sampling method. Two peri-urban forests were chosen as study areas: the first one was close to the town of Trento in the Alps (Monte Marzola), and the second one was in the proximity of the city of Florence (Monte Morello). At the end of data collection, 281 questionnaires were collected and processed. The results showed an increase in visits to peri-urban forests during the COVID-19 pandemic (36.4% of visitors in Monte Marzola and 17.1% in Monte Morello, respectively) with the aim of satisfying the need for relaxation and contact with nature. However, the use of peri-urban forests in times of crisis has been quite different in the two contexts: the visitors of Monte Marzola evidenced the role of a forest as a place where they can satisfy their need to play sports (mean value 4.53 in a five-point Likert scale), while Monte Morello forest was considered by visitors to be a place where the demand for companionship was fulfilled (mean value 4.27). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1289 KiB  
Article
Forest Dwellers’ Dependence on Forest Resources in Semi-Arid Environments
by Beytollah Mahmoudi, Eric Ng, Davood Mafi-Gholami and Fatemeh Eshaghi
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2689; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15032689 - 02 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1298
Abstract
Forests remain an important resource in Iran, as most of the livelihood activities of local communities, especially in the semi-arid environment of the Zagros forests, are dependent on forest resources. The aim of this study was to identify the type and extent of [...] Read more.
Forests remain an important resource in Iran, as most of the livelihood activities of local communities, especially in the semi-arid environment of the Zagros forests, are dependent on forest resources. The aim of this study was to identify the type and extent of forest dependency. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 170 households in Central Zagros. Results show that using firewood for fuel and non-fuel uses, harvesting edible and medicinal plants, agriculture and horticulture, and livestock grazing were the main forest livelihood activities undertaken by the households in the study area. On average, each household harvested 18.08 cubic meters of oak per year for water heating (bathing), baking bread, heating, cooking, heating milk and buttermilk, agricultural tools, house building, warehouses and shelters, fencing, branches for livestock, charcoal and harvesting firewood for sale. Of rural households, 72% used edible plants, and 86% used medicinal plants. Age, job, residence status, number of livestock, crop farming and household size were found to be correlated with forest dependency. Findings from this study contribute broadly to an integrated understanding of the bio-human dimensions of forest ecosystems, with specific reference to the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 7621 KiB  
Article
Research on Green View Index of Urban Roads Based on Street View Image Recognition: A Case Study of Changsha Downtown Areas
by Yixing Chen, Qilin Zhang, Zhang Deng, Xinran Fan, Zimu Xu, Xudong Kang, Kailing Pan and Zihao Guo
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 16063; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142316063 - 01 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1931
Abstract
In this paper, we took the urban roads in the Changsha downtown areas as an example to identify the green view index (GVI) of urban roads based on street view images (SVIs). First, the road network information was obtained through OpenStreetMap, and the [...] Read more.
In this paper, we took the urban roads in the Changsha downtown areas as an example to identify the green view index (GVI) of urban roads based on street view images (SVIs). First, the road network information was obtained through OpenStreetMap, and the coordinate information of sampling points was processed using ArcGIS. Secondly, the SVIs were downloaded from Baidu Map according to the latitude and longitude coordinates of the sampling points. Moreover, semantic segmentation neural network software was used to semantically segment the SVIs for recognizing the objects in each part of the images. Finally, the objects related to green vegetation were statistically analyzed to obtain the GVI of the sampling points. The GVI was mapped to the map in ArcGIS software for data visualization and analysis. The results showed the average GVI of the study area was 12.56%. An amount of 27% have very poor green perception, 40% have poor green perception, 19% have general green perception, 10% have strong green perception, and 4% have very strong green perception. In the administrative districts, the highest GVI is Yuhua District with 14.15%, while the lowest is Kaifu District with 8.75%. The average GVI of the new urban area is higher than that of the old urban area, as the old urban area has higher building density and a lower greenery level. This paper systematically evaluated the levels of GVI and greening status of urban streets within the Changsha downtown areas through SVIs data analysis, and provided guidance and suggestions for the greening development of Changsha City. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1500 KiB  
Article
Social Perception of Riparian Forests
by Mārcis Saklaurs, Agnese Anta Liepiņa, Didzis Elferts and Āris Jansons
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9302; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14159302 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1375
Abstract
Riparian forests are ecotones that differ from the surrounding landscapes, delineating the transition from terrestrial ecosystems into aquatic ones. Riparian forest management has been recognized as a possible method for promoting several ecological functions. In order to develop a sustainable and resilient relationship [...] Read more.
Riparian forests are ecotones that differ from the surrounding landscapes, delineating the transition from terrestrial ecosystems into aquatic ones. Riparian forest management has been recognized as a possible method for promoting several ecological functions. In order to develop a sustainable and resilient relationship between river riparian forests and society, it is necessary to analyze the sociocultural dimension of riparian zones. The aim of this study was to assess the social perceptions of riparian forests. A total of 734 respondents (61% woman), inhabitants from the region of Latvia, where there is a rather dense network of streams, were surveyed. Respondents represented various education levels, ages, and economic backgrounds. Riverine forests tend to be a less popular option for recreation compared with other types of forests. The most popular activities were walking and swimming. “Forest and water bodies” was not among the main topics that respondents were concerned about. Regarding rivers and riparian forests, the obstructed movement of fish to spawning grounds was recognized as the most important problem, but the least concerning was the reduction of water tourism and fishing opportunities. Dynamic river basin and river bank management could be a possible solution to restoring eligible locations for recreational activities, at least along some parts of rivers, and for improving the state of riparian ecosystems simultaneously. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 797 KiB  
Article
Preferences of Young Adults concerning the Pocket Parks with Water Reservoirs in the Aspect of Willingness to Pay (WTP) in Warsaw City, Poland
by Agnieszka Mandziuk, Dagmara Stangierska, Beata Fornal-Pieniak, Jerzy Gębski, Barbara Żarska and Marta Kiraga
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5043; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14095043 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1623
Abstract
The paper presents the results of a survey questionnaire conducted in order to determine the social preferences of young adults regarding their willingness to finance pocket parks in Warsaw (Poland). The preferences concerned the impact of the appearance and attractiveness of pocket parks [...] Read more.
The paper presents the results of a survey questionnaire conducted in order to determine the social preferences of young adults regarding their willingness to finance pocket parks in Warsaw (Poland). The preferences concerned the impact of the appearance and attractiveness of pocket parks for the inhabitants of the capital, the impact on the microclimate, the materials used to build water reservoirs, and the effect of the respondent’s income on their willingness to finance them. The data were analyzed statistically (Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney U logistic regression). The results show that young respondents prefer parks with natural water reservoirs. Willingness to pay was the highest in the case of natural parks and parks containing the most anthropogenically modified water reservoirs. It has been shown that the willingness to finance increased with the need for more greenery of this type and greater awareness of their positive impact on the improvement of the microclimate in the city. The higher the attractiveness of pocket parks for leisure and the higher the level of respondents’ incomes, the greater the willingness to finance them. The level of financing also depended on the materials used to build water reservoirs in parks—the more elements made of hydrotechnical concrete, the higher the level of financing. This type of relationship was not found for natural materials, which is surprising given the already well-known threat of climate change and the decrease of biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1031 KiB  
Article
Stakeholders’ Opinions towards Water-Related Forests Ecosystem Services in Selected Southeast European Countries (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia)
by Dijana Vuletić, Silvija Krajter Ostoić, Klára Báliková, Mersudin Avdibegović, Kristina Potočki, Špela Pezdevšek Malovrh, Stjepan Posavec, Srđan Stojnić and Alessandro Paletto
Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12001; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132112001 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1729
Abstract
Even though water-related forest ecosystem services are important for forestry and water management sectors, they have different definitions and are regulated differently in each sector, which makes them poorly recognized. How stakeholders from two main sectors (forestry and water management) perceive the importance [...] Read more.
Even though water-related forest ecosystem services are important for forestry and water management sectors, they have different definitions and are regulated differently in each sector, which makes them poorly recognized. How stakeholders from two main sectors (forestry and water management) perceive the importance of water-related forest ecosystem services, the trade-offs between ecosystem services and the effectiveness and implementation of payments schemes related to forest water ecosystem services were our areas of interest. We have conduct surveys with different groups of stakeholders from both sectors in four selected countries (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia) with a lot of similarities and the potential to learn from each other. The results show that in spite of the spotted differences among analyzed countries, there is a high level of agreement among respondents on all investigated aspects. In addition, even though different payment schemes exist in three of four countries, stakeholders are rarely aware of their existence, or it is better to say that they do not recognize them as payment schemes for ecosystem services because of their names and definitions, which do not clearly define ecosystem services. Mostly, they use bundled services and non-voluntary payments and are designed and implemented by the states. Due to the strong role of states and the low transparency in the existing schemes, we looked at possible conditions reflected through stakeholders’ opinions for overcoming that obstacle for the development of new payment schemes. We found that there is a high level of acceptance of payments schemes as more effective than “command and control” schemes and of the involvement of other stakeholders in decision-making processes as those conditions that can positively influence development of new payment schemes in all four countries. These results give us hope that in spite of the strong role of the state in selected countries, the role of stakeholders will be more acknowledged and, by that, the future schemes will be more harmonized among the sectors and their goals and needs, contributing to its effectiveness as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Space)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop