Barriers and opportunities for resilient and sustainable urban forests

Abstract

As cities heat up and expand in area and population, urban forests offer a nature-based solution to enhance liveability and reduce rising temperatures in cities. However, urban forests are vulnerable to climate change and face costly establishment and maintenance challenges. Here we explore four key ecological and socioeconomic barriers to achieving resilient urban forests: species selection, tree supply, tree life cycle (establishment and maintenance, including irrigation) and community engagement. We discuss how integrating traditional urban forestry practices with emerging technology offers a holistic approach to creating resilient, sustainable urban forests that can adapt to climate change while meeting community needs.

Published in

Nature cities
2025, volume: 2, number: 4, pages: 290-298
Publisher: SPRINGERNATURE

SLU Authors

• Östberg, Johan

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Sjöman, Henrik

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wiström, Björn

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences
Landscape Architecture

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-025-00212-2

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/145547