Urban forest indicator assessment for nature-based solutions to connect biodiversity and people

• Published in: Ecological indicators 2024-12, Vol.169, p.112843, Article 112843
• Main Authors: Jeong, Jinsuk, Park, Chan-Ryul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accessibility; Availability; Biodiversity; Connectivity; Nature-based solutions (NbS); Urban forests
• ISSN: 1470-160X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112843

•Availability of urban forests can be considered a straightforward and comparable criterion for both humans and biodiversity in urban environments.•Accessibility and connectivity indicators provide different characteristics, which may be contradictory.•At the practical management scale of urban forests, walking-based accessibility and Integral Index of Connectivity can be employed as strong contrasting indicators. Urban forests are essential for supporting ecosystem functions that benefit both city residents and urban biodiversity. This study assessed urban forests through three key indicators—availability, accessibility, and connectivity—to create balanced, nature-based solutions for sustainable urban forest management. Availability serves as a straightforward and comparable criterion that provides resources for both humans and biodiversity in urban areas. However, accessibility and connectivity indicators exhibit distinct and sometimes contradictory characteristics, emphasizing the complexity of balancing human access with ecological continuity. At the practical management scale of urban forests, walking-based accessibility and the Integral Index of Connectivity emerged as particularly strong contrasting indicators, offering valuable insights for tailoring management strategies to local needs. These findings indicate the need to harmonize urban forest policies to meet the needs of both residents and urban biodiversity, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of urban ecosystems.