Global approaches for ecological restoration in urban environments: A PRISMA review

Abstract

Since the Industrial Revolution, global urbanization has expanded rapidly, leading to serious implications for human well-being and biodiversity. The rapid construction of cities has resulted in significant habitat loss, especially in the context of anticipated climate changes. Identifying trends in forest restoration in urban areas can contribute to implementing adaptive and mitigating measures that support future public policies. Using the PRISMA method, this study aimed to identify scientific articles describing restoration approaches in urban forests, focusing on trends that facilitate model development in urban regions facing rising temperatures and droughts. Our results show that, despite convergence favoring ecological restoration in urban areas, the scientific knowledge supporting model development is still in progress. Most reviewed articles focused on countries with temperate forests, while none addressed the tropics. Our results highlight that restoration requires a strategic approach, prioritizing native species and combining local knowledge with scientific expertise. Community involvement and continuous monitoring are crucial to maintaining ecological functions and adapting to rapid climate-related changes occurring globally, especially in the tropical zone. We also emphasize that forest restoration strategies in cities should be incorporated into long-term urban policies and not remain solely within the scope of compensatory actions. This work highlights a gap in forest restoration in urban areas and highlights the importance of countries in tropical regions developing more research with these approaches.