Urban forest is a kind of woody plant vegetation growing in and around human settlements. Care and management of urban forest is called urban forestry. As we know, biodiversity is an important part of urban forestry. Trees and plants create local ecosystems that provide habitat and food for birds and animals. They offer suitable mini climates for other plants. The urban forestry comprises all green elements under urban influence such as trees and road plantation.
Benefit of urban forestry
Provide habitat for wildlife and help preserve biodiversity. Improves water filtration, store water, reduce storm water runoff. It improves the economic and ecological function of urban environment.
Management of the entire urban system requires information on all vegetation and other attributes of the system across the urban landscape.
Structure
Three broad factors determine urban forest structure
Urban morphology which influence the amount and type of vegetation which mostly found in cities.
Human management system which modify vegetation across land use types.
Natural factors type of vegetation affects livings.
Urban trees are relatively small in stature less managed or naturally managed land tends to have the highest proportion of small trees. Trees species composition varies by land-use type.
Function and management
To enhance forest function across the forest landscape, managers and planners strive for appropriate forest designs. Other areas such as low income multifamily residential areas, schools, commercial industrial areas greatly enhanced with more trees.
Conclusions
Urban forestry plans and programs need to consider the wide spectrum of forest functions and how management linked to enhance overall functions. Urban forest managers should decide which functions are important for eg. air quality, improved aesthetics.
