Can we integrate ecological approaches to improve plant selection for green infrastructure?

Modern cities are dominated by impervious surfaces that absorb, store and release heat in summer, create large volumes of runoff and provide limited biodiversity habitat and poor air quality can also be a health issue. Future climate change, including more frequent and extreme weather events will likely exacerbate these issues. Green infrastructure such as parks, gardens, street trees and engineered technologies such as green roofs and walls, facades and raingardens can help mitigate these problems. This relies on selecting plants that can persist in urban environments and improve stormwater retention, cooling, biodiversity and air pollution. However, plant selection for green infrastructure is challenging where there is limited information on species tolerance to heat and water variability or how these species can deliver multiple benefits. Therefore, we draw on research to illustrate how plant performance for green infrastructure can be inferred from plant attributes (i.e., traits) or from analysis of their natural distribution. We present a new framework for plant selection for green infrastructure and use a case study to demonstrate how this approach has been used to select trees and shrubs for Australian cities. We have shown through the case study and examples, how plant traits and species’ natural distribution can be used to overcome the lack of information on tolerance to both individual and multiple stressors; and how species contribute to the provision of benefits such as stormwater retention, cooling, biodiversity and air pollution mitigation. We also discuss how planting design and species diversity can contribute to achieving multiple benefits to make the most of contested space in dense cities, and to also reduce the risk of failure in urban greening.     

“A living street and not just green”: Exploring public preferences and concerns regarding nature-based solution implementation in urban streetscapes

Leveraging the benefits offered by nature-based solutions (NBS) will be vital in addressing present and future environmental and social challenges as urban densification continues to exert pressure on cities. The greening of urban streets, in particular, provides many benefits in terms of livability, health, and biodiversity. While many studies have explored the suitability of NBS in a particular context considering the benefits they provide in relation to local environmental challenges (e.g. filtering the air in areas with high pollution, absorbing water in areas prone to flooding), this study focuses on residents’ perspectives on and their demand for NBS. This is particularly relevant given the importance of public acceptance of NBS measures for their success. The research presented in this paper is based on a mixed-methods study, combining an online survey and eight focus group interviews, which aimed to better understand which types of NBS people prefer, how much and what types of street space they are willing to exchange for street greening, and the opportunities and concerns they have regarding varying degrees of street greening. Findings suggest that respondents are overwhelmingly in favor of greening their street with NBS, yet preferred NBS and opinions on where to implement them vary among participants. Further, street greening was thought to come up against other understandings of how streets should be used and for what purpose. These considerations should be taken up by planners to improve the uptake of NBS.     

Assessing the potential of strategic green roof implementation for green infrastructure: Insights from Sumida ward,Tokyo

Urban green spaces, and green infrastructure more generally, provide multiple benefits that can enhance urban livability and sustainability. These range from the mitigation of air pollution and urban heat island (UHI) effect, to multi-dimensional benefits to human wellbeing and biodiversity. However, the expansion of urban green spaces is not always feasible in many cities. In such urban contexts, there have been proposals to utilize rooftops as green roofs in order to gain some of these benefits. This study spatially identifies areas where roofs have the potential to provide different types of benefits associated with urban green spaces if they are retrofitted with green roofs. Through a GIS-based approach we catalogue available roof space in Sumida ward in Tokyo for green roof implementation, and subsequenlty evaluate the potential of each roof patch to offer four types of benefits if retrofitted with a green roof, namely UHI effect mitigation, air pollution mitigation, and benefits to subjective wellbeing and biodiversity. Approximately 25% of the total roof surface in Sumida ward can potentially be used for green roof implementation. Furthermore, about 5.2% and 59% of this area has a respectively high and moderate potential to provide all four benefits if retrofitted with green roofs. This could increase the extent of green spaces by 10% and 120% respectively across the Sumida ward. In this sense, green roofs can become a major element of green infrastructure with ripple positive effects for urban livability and sustainability through the provision of UHI effect and air pollution mitigation, and benefits to subjective wellbeing and biodiversity.     

How to promote residents’ use of green space: An empirically grounded agent-based modeling approach

One focus of those responsible for making urban policies has been the improvement of green space effectiveness, including environmental plans and eco-city initiatives. In the evaluation of policy effectiveness, residents’ needs, values and preferences are critical but often overlooked. This study proposes an agent-based model (ABM) for simulating the effectiveness of policy measures on residents’ decision making with regard to the use of green space. Using a residential questionnaire survey conducted in Shanghai, China, we model individual decision making with artificial neural networks that account for the heterogeneous characteristics and imperfect rationality in the decision-making process, and compare three policy scenarios in local green space provision. The results of the model illustrate the unequal effectiveness of green space policies among different social groups and different types of green space (i.e., urban parks, neighborhood parks, and community gardens), and the sensitivity analysis suggests the key factors in different stages of green space provision. Based on the results, we argue that tailored policies are needed in order to meet residents’ heterogeneous needs; in fact, relatively “soft” policies, particularly those that promote social interaction and participation, play a significant role in the appeal of green space use. Finally, policy suggestions are provided for the optimization of green space provision.     

Land cover change in the Bolivian Amazon and its implications for REDD+ and endemic biodiversity

Tropical deforestation is a major contributor to green house gas emissions in developing countries. Incentive mechanisms, such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), are currently being considered as a possible emissions reduction and offset solution. Although REDD has expanded its scope to include co-benefits such as sustainable management of forests and biodiversity conservation (known as REDD+), current carbon-base methodologies do not specifically target projects for the parallel protection of these co-benefits. This study demonstrates the incorporation of both carbon and biodiversity benefits within REDD+ in the Bolivian Amazon, through the analysis of land cover change and future change scenario modeling to the year 2050. Current protected areas within the Bolivian Amazon were evaluated for REDD+ project potential by identifying concordant patterns of carbon content, species biodiversity and deforestation vulnerability. Biodiversity-based versus carbon-based protection schemes were evaluated and protected areas were prioritized using irreplaceability-vulnerability plots. Deforestation projection scenarios to the year 2050 varied depending on the historical period analyzed, producing low, intermediate and high deforestation scenarios. All scenarios showed increasing deforestation pressure in the northern region of Bolivia along with high levels of biodiversity loss. Expected reductions in the carbon pool ranged from 8 to 48%, for the low and high demand scenarios respectively. Some protected areas presented large numbers of endemic species, high concentrations of carbon and high deforestation vulnerability, demonstrating the potential for win–win REDD+ projects in Bolivia.     

Assessing ecological interactions in urban areas using citizen science data: Insights from hummingbird–plant meta-networks in a tropical megacity

Urbanization is one of the most intensive threats to biodiversity worldwide. The rapid sprawl of urban settings often comprises a drastic landscape transformation due to the replacement of natural vegetation by impervious surfaces. However, cities can serve as critical refuges for some native fauna, particularly for pollinators. Here we used citizen data to contrast the structure of hummingbird-plant meta-networks across different greenspaces (natural protected areas, urban parks, urban gardens and street trees areas) in a tropical megacity. We compiled hummingbird-plant visitation records in Mexico City available in two citizen science resources: iNaturalist and eBird. We first determined whether the retrieved dataset was representative to estimate network metrics by calculating sample coverage and estimating species richness in different greenspaces. Then, we characterized network structure and plant importance for network organization according to plant origin, life form and pollination syndrome. We recorded 17 hummingbirds visiting 84 plant species, encompassing a total of 742 interactions. Natural protected areas and urban parks showed a higher richness of hummingbirds and plants. All networks had low levels of connectance, specialization, and nestedness. Modularity was significant across all networks with higher values in natural protected areas and urban gardens. Native and introduced plant species showed a similar contribution to network organization. Non-ornithophilous plants were most important in natural protected areas, while tree species were most important in street trees greenspaces. Our results provide evidence of generalization of hummingbird-plant networks in urban areas. Introduced species and non-ornithophilous plants were equally important for hummingbirds, suggesting an integration of alien plants with no specialized bird pollination traits into ecological networks in urban scenarios. Promoting conservation initiatives as pollinator gardens with key native species for hummingbirds across the city could contribute to the functional connectivity and restoration of ecological interactions in cities.     

The role of green roofs in mitigating Urban Heat Island effects in the metropolitan area of Adelaide,South Australia

Changing an urban environment and replacing vegetated surfaces with low albedo materials is one of the reasons for increasing temperatures in an urban environment and consequently also one of the key causes of urban heat island effects. In this study, an experimental investigation at the micro-scale and also a numerical simulation at the macro-scale of a typical urban environment in Adelaide were conducted to estimate the potential for mitigating the UHI effect. The results showed that existing low albedo materials such as asphalt, metal roofs and brick pavements contribute to the heat island potential. Also, urban development and a lack of natural vegetation contribute to increased temperatures in cities. The ability of two types of extensive and intensive green roofs to reduce the surrounding micro-climate temperature were monitored. The results showed that they have significant cooling effects in summer time and could behave as an insulation layer to keep buildings warmer in the winter. Furthermore, different scenarios of adding green roofs to the Adelaide urban environment were investigated using the Envi–MET model. The scenario modelling of adding green roofs in a typical urban area in Adelaide, Australia, supported the hypothesis that this can lead to reductions in energy consumption in the Adelaide urban environment. Also an increased use of other water sensitive urban design technologies such as green walls and street trees together with the adoption of high albedo materials is recommended for achieving the optimum efficiency in terms of reducing urban temperatures and mitigating urban heat island effects.     

Envisioning carbon-smart and just urban green infrastructure

To address the inter-connected climate and biodiversity crises, it is crucial to understand how multifunctional urban green infrastructure (UGI) is perceived to contribute to carbon neutrality, biodiversity, human well-being, and justice outcomes in cities. We explore how urban residents, including youth, associate carbon-related meanings with multifunctional UGI and how these meanings relate to co-benefits to biodiversity, well-being, and broader sustainability outcomes. Our findings are based on a survey distributed among urban residents of Helsinki, Finland (n = 487) and reveal how carbon-related meanings of UGI manifest at different levels of abstraction, agency, and scale, and incorporate community values and concerns attributed to the planning, features, functions, and transformational dimensions of UGI. Core carbon-related meanings of UGI emphasize either actions towards sustainability, carbon neutrality, biodiversity, or unfamiliarity towards such meanings. Perceived justice concerns and the socio-demographic contexts of the respondents covaried with carbon-related meanings associated with UGI. The results illustrate community perceptions of how it is not only possible, but rather expected, that multifunctional UGI is harnessed to tackle climate change, human well-being, and biodiversity loss in cities. Challenges for implementing the carbon-related benefits of UGI include navigating the different expectations placed on UGI and including residents with diverse socio-economic backgrounds during the process. Our findings contribute to a holistic understanding of how multifunctional UGI can help bridge policy agendas related to carbon neutrality, biodiversity protection, and human well-being that cities can implement when aiming for sustainable, just, and socially acceptable transitions towards a good Anthropocene.     

Species richness and ecosystem services of tree assemblages along an urbanisation gradient in a tropical mega-city: Consequences for urban design

We assess how tree species richness and ecosystem services vary along a tropical urbanisation gradient in a rapidly expanding mega-city (Bangkok, Thailand). We conduct tree surveys in 150 1 km cells selected by random stratification across an impervious surface cover gradient. In each cell, surveys were conducted at the centre (representing typical conditions) and in the largest patch of trees (assessing woodland retention impacts). We estimated trees’ contributions to i) carbon storage, ii) food production for people, iii) biodiversity support (production of food for frugivorous birds), and iv) economic value (assessed using regulations for using trees as collateral for financial loans). Surveys detected 162 species (99 natives) indicating substantial species loss relative to nearby natural forests. Despite this, and contrasting with typical patterns in temperate cities, tree species richness (including of natives) and ecosystem service provision is relatively stable across the urbanisation gradient. This finding has two important consequences. First, growing cities through high intensity developments that require less space may benefit regional biodiversity without compromising ecosystem services. Second, even the typically very small woodlands present in highly urbanised locations contribute to supporting biodiversity and providing ecosystem services; thus such woodlands require protection. Species richness is not strongly positively associated with most of our focal ecosystem services. Urban planners must therefore pay attention to both biodiversity and ecosystem services as these do not automatically accrue from each other, partly because non-native species contributed substantially to most ecosystem services except biodiversity support. Finally, trees provide substantial value as collateral for financial loans (averages of £643 ha at random locations and £2282 ha in wooded locations). Policies promoting such valuations may reduce tree removal and encourage tree planting, but the list of eligible species warrants revision to include additional species that enhance biodiversity support, ecosystem services, and resilience against future environmental instability.     

Green infrastructure practices for improvement of urban air quality

Green Infrastructure (GI) practices have shown to be promising in mitigating the air pollution in urban areas of several cities across the world. GI practices such as trees, green roofs and green walls are widely used in United States and Europe to mitigate the air pollution. However, there is yet limited knowledge available in identifying the most suitable GI strategy for an urban area in improving the air quality. Furthermore, it is evident that Australia is still lagging behind in adapting GI to mitigate air pollution, compared with US and Europe. Therefore, this study analyzed the air quality improvement through several GI scenarios consisting of trees, green roofs and green walls considering a case study area in Melbourne, Australia by using the i-Tree Eco software. The results were compared with case studies in different cities across the world. The results showed that the i-Tree Eco software can be successfully applied to an Australian case study area to quantify the air quality improvement benefits of GI. The results were further assessed with several environmental, economic and social indicators to identify the most suitable GI scenarios for the study area. These indicators were quantified using different methods, to assess the effectiveness of different GI scenarios. The results showed that, trees provided the highest air pollution removal capability among the different GI considered for the study area. Combination of different GI such as green roofs and green walls with trees did not provide a significant increment of air quality improvement however, has provided more local benefits such as building energy savings. The results obtained from this study were also beneficial in developing policies related to future GI applications in major cities of Australia for the air quality improvement.     

Using green infrastructure for urban climate-proofing: An evaluation of heat mitigation measures at the micro-scale

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) has been increasingly promoted as a key measure to mitigate heat stress in cities caused by the urban heat island effect and climate change impacts, including climate variability and extremes. However, comparable information concerning the performance of different UGI types to moderate such impacts is mostly lacking. This creates serious challenges for urban planners who need to decide on the most effective measures while considering spatial and administrative constraints. This study investigates how different types and quantities of UGI, i.e. trees, green roofs, and green facades, affect pedestrian thermal comfort. The study was applied to high-density residential areas under current and future climatic conditions. Climate change will on average increase afternoon Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) values by 2.4 K; however, this could be vastly reduced by different UGI scenarios. Planting trees had the strongest impact with an average PET reduction of 13% compared with existing vegetation. Trees shade open spaces and provide evapotranspirative cooling. Another valuable adaptation option is green facades, which have mitigating effects of 5%–10%. In contrast, the effects of green roofs were negligible. Our results indicate that increasing the share of green cover did not directly correspond to the magnitude of the PET reduction. Placing vegetation strategically in heat-exposed areas is more effective than just aiming at a high percentage of green cover. We conclude that our extensive comparative analysis provides empirical evidence to support UGI on the micro-scale and assists planners and decision-makers to effectively select and prioritise concrete measures to adapt to climate change.     

Effects of street landscape planting and urban public parks on dwelling environment evaluation in Japan

In this paper, we use data from 12 metropolitan cities in Japan to investigate the effects of street landscape planting and urban park areas on land prices, and estimate the magnitude and saturation levels of these effects, as well as examining the current level of planting and park areas in these cities. The empirical results imply that increasing the street landscape planting ratio improves the dwelling environment, in terms of both the magnitude and saturation level of the planting ratio, while increasing the amount of urban park area does not.     

Quantification of the environmental effectiveness of nature-based solutions for increasing the resilience of cities under climate change

Nature-based solutions (NBSs) enhance the potential for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in cities. Among the environmental benefits offered by these measures, enhanced biodiversity, increased carbon storage, reduction of extreme temperatures, and pluvial flood control are crucial. The purpose of this study was to establish an integrated methodology for quantifying the benefits of NBSs and complementary measures and to apply it in a neighbourhood of Donostia-San Sebastián (Spain), where two alternative designs that incorporated NBSs and complementary measures were designed. Then, the individual effectiveness of the four variables was measured using both in-situ measurements and modelling approaches. For the integrated effectiveness, a multi-criteria decision analysis was employed. Both the ‘feasible’ design and the ‘ideal’ one led to an increase in biodiversity (46 and 108 %, respectively) and carbon storage (50 and 130 %, respectively). When considering each measure independently, putting soil provided the highest benefits for carbon capture and biodiversity; meanwhile, planting woody species and installing light-coloured permeable pavements and water fountains reduced the mean radiant temperature by 26.5 K and the air temperature by 0.5 and 2.5 K, respectively, in specific places. Finally, the importance of quantifying the multiple environmental benefits of NBSs for the selection of climate-smart options in urban planning has been highlighted.     

Green roofs for a wide brown land: Opportunities and barriers for rooftop greening in Australia

There is increasing public, industry and government interest in establishing green roofs in Australian cities due to their demonstrated environmental benefits. While a small number of green roofs have been constructed in Australia, most are roof gardens or intensive green roofs. Despite their potential as a climate change adaptation and mitigation tool and their widespread use in the northern hemisphere, there are very few examples of extensive green roofs in Australia. One of the major barriers to increasing the prevalence of extensive green roofs in Australia is the lack of scientific data available to evaluate their applicability to local conditions. Relying on European and North American experience and technology is problematic due to significant differences in climate, available substrates and plants. This paper examines green roofs in Australia, discusses the challenges to increasing their use and the major information gaps that need to be researched to progress the industry in Australia.     

Promoting and preserving biodiversity in the urban forest

Efforts at mitigating global biodiversity loss have often focused on preserving large, intact natural habitats. However, preserving biodiversity should also be an important goal in the urban environment, especially in highly urbanized areas where little natural habitat remains. Increasingly, research at the city/county scale as well as at the landscape scale reveals that urban areas can contain relatively high levels of biodiversity. Important percentages of species found in the surrounding natural habitat, including endangered species, have been found in the urban forest.

This contribution concisely highlights some examples of urban biodiversity research from various areas of the world. Key issues involved in understanding the patterns and processes that affect urban biodiversity, such as the urban–rural gradient and biotic homogenization, are addressed. The potential for urban areas to harbor considerable amounts of biodiversity needs to be recognized by city planners and urban foresters so that management practices that preserve and promote that diversity can be pursued. Management options should focus on increasing biodiversity in all aspects of the urban forest, from street trees to urban parks and woodlots.     

Green roof cooling and carbon mitigation benefits in a subtropical city

Green roofs are promoted as an effective nature-based urban heat island mitigation strategy. Green roof cooling and energy-saving benefits have been simulated for various climatic zones, but mainly at the building scale. Due to a lack of fact-based information on neighborhood cooling benefits, green roof construction lags and has rarely been incorporated into urban planning actions. This study investigated the thermal benefits and energy savings of green roofs for the central area of the Xianlin Campus of Nanjing University at the neighborhood scale. Three scenarios were simulated for a hot summer day using a validated ENVI-met model: a base case (S0), extensive green roofs (EGRs) (S1), and intensive green roofs (IGRs) (S2). The air temperature cooling benefit from green roofs extended downwards to the pedestrian level. The EGR scenario achieved a maximum 0.29 °C air temperature reduction at the pedestrian level and 0.37 °C at the rooftop level. The IGR scenario achieved a maximum 0.35 °C air temperature reduction at the pedestrian level and 0.45 °C at the rooftop level. EGRs and IGRs reduced energy demands for air-conditioning by 0.39 kWh·m⁻²·d⁻¹ and 0.56 kWh·m⁻²·d⁻¹ and CO₂ emissions by 31,997 kg·d⁻¹ and 45,967 kg·d⁻¹, respectively. These results confirm that green roofs yield substantial cooling and carbon mitigation benefits. Our study provides essential data to establish green roofs as mainstream cooling technology in subtropical cities. The results also imply that urban planners and policymakers may need to embrace the implementation of green roofs in long-term planning and building design practices to improve urban thermal environments, reduce building energy demand, and curb carbon emissions.     

Characterization of co-benefits of green stormwater infrastructure across ecohydrologic regions in the United States

Stormwater Green Infrastructure (SGI) systems such as rain gardens, permeable pavement and bioswales are commonly used in municipalities to reduce urban flooding and water pollution. In conjunction with these direct benefits, SGI systems provide additional social and environmental “co-benefits”. Our goal was to investigate the co-benefits of commonly used SGI systems in five cities in the United States, including Baltimore, Denver, New York City, Philadelphia, and Portland. The i-Tree Eco model was used to predict carbon storage and sequestration, air pollution removal, UV reduction, and cooling effects of trees for individual tree species and estimated SGI tree inventories across the five study cities based on observed tree characteristic data. Aspects of SGI design, environmental factors, and model inputs were assessed to understand what parameters impacted SGI co-benefits predicted by the model. We evaluated the most highly influential parameters using a global sensitivity analysis method. As expected, the type of SGI design, and the overall number of trees utilized within those designs, played a large role in determining the overall amount of co-benefits predicted by the model. However, climate also influenced estimation of benefits produced, with similar responses predicted for cities in the same climate zone (e.g. Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City). In particular, the global sensitivity analysis showed that variables influencing environmental conditions and tree growth also impacted final co-benefit predictions produced by i-Tree Eco. study revealed how various assumptions and prevailing equations within the i-Tree Eco model can play a major role in the final outcomes predicted by the model. Studies that use i-Tree Eco to analyze potential co-benefits of SGI projects, especially when the goal is to compare projects across climate zones, should consider what aspects of the results are simply a function of the model itself. Overall, the model predicts that more co-benefits are provided in certain climate zones, an assumption currently supported in the literature.     

Introducing urban food forestry: a multifunctional approach to increase food security and provide ecosystem services

We examine the potential role of perennial woody food-producing species (“food trees”) in cities in the context of urban sustainable development and propose a multifunctional approach that combines elements of urban agriculture, urban forestry, and agroforestry into what we call “urban food forestry” (UFF). We used four approaches at different scales to gauge the potential of UFF to enhance urban sustainability and contribute to food security in the context of urbanization and climate change. First, we identified 37 current initiatives based around urban food trees, and analyzed their activities in three categories: planting, mapping, and harvesting, finding that the majority (73 %) only performed one activity, and only 8 % performed all three. Second, we analyzed 30 urban forestry master plans, finding that only 13 % included human food security among their objectives, while 77 % included habitat for wildlife. Third, we used Burlington, Vermont as a case study to quantify the potential fruit yield of publicly accessible open space if planted with Malus domestica (the common apple) under nine different planting and yield scenarios. We found that 108 % of the daily recommended minimum intake of fruit for the entire city’s population could be met under the most ambitious planting scenario, with substantial potential to contribute to food security even under more modest scenarios. Finally, we developed a Climate–Food–Species Matrix of potential food trees appropriate for temperate urban environments as a decision-making tool. We identified a total of 70 species, 30 of which we deemed “highly suitable” for urban food forestry based on their cold hardiness, drought tolerance, and edibility. We conclude that substantial untapped potential exists for urban food forestry to contribute to urban sustainability via increased food security and landscape multifunctionality.     

Importance of urban street tree policies: A Comparison of neighbouring Southern California cities

Research points to numerous benefits provided by urban street trees including qualitative and quantitative public health, economic, and environmental advantages for a city and its residents. As with other key aspects of city management that help develop municipal success, urban forestry requires foresight, commitment and planning that lead to effective policies and strategies. Good street tree management based on effective policies can maximise street tree benefits. Poorly conceived policies or the absence of effective policies can lead to the opposite result. A case study of the neighbouring cities of Loma Linda and Redlands, California illustrates this difference. The urban tree care and protection policies in these two cities have evolved differently. The differences may be attributable to contrasting municipal commitments to preservation and to best-practice management principles. Based on a comparative analysis of street tree policies of the two cities, it can be concluded that a local culture favouring tree protection and reflective guidelines and policies can result in proactive and successful management of an urban forest. Such policies also include provision for gathering data essential for strategic tree planting, care and removal.     

Urban forest management and governance in Latin America and the Caribbean: A baseline study of stakeholder views

Cities in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and around the world are setting long-term greening goals that include planting more trees and increasing green cover. Research in LAC cities has mainly focused on biodiversity and vegetation, with little understanding of the mechanisms underlying the decisions through which stakeholders achieve urban greening. Exploring stakeholders’ views about urban forest management and governance can provide us with an opportunity to identify needs and research gaps for urban greening and urban forestry in LAC. To our knowledge, there has never been a region-wide empirical study to capture these stakeholder views. Here we explore how stakeholders working in urban forestry in LAC, including governmental, and non-governmental professionals, define urban forests, and view management and governance issues as well as educational opportunities. We used an online survey based on a combination of open- and closed-ended questions. The survey was delivered to participants at the first two regional conferences on urban forests in LAC organized by the United Nations. We collected 91 responses from stakeholders working in 50 different cities of varying population sizes across 6 LAC bioregions. Most respondents considered parks, planted green corridors, street trees, and remnant forests in urban and peri-urban areas as components of urban forests. Stakeholder views on management and governance were divided in two distinct perspectives, one dominated by public participation issues, and another one related to operational issues. Most respondents considered operational and management tools for urban forests to exist in LAC cities, but they disagreed on the existence of inventories, long-term strategies, and ways for the public to engage in urban forestry. Responses also revealed that some educational opportunities, such as arboricultural certification, are still relatively scarce and in high demand in the region. This study provides a regional baseline and first insights into a more diverse view of urban forestry which could be enriched with more empirical studies in the future.