Some determinants of urban forest structure

Abstract

Finding useful generalizations about urban forest structures for a nation can assist in developing urban forest science and urban forestry planning and management. This process entails adopting commonly understood definitions of urban forest structure and urban boundaries. Urban forest structure is determined by three broad factors: urban morphology, which creates the spaces available for vegetation; natural factors, which influence the amount and types of biomass likely to be found within cities; and human management systems, which account for intraurban variations in biomass configurations according to land use distributions. Together these factors provide an explanation for urban forest structure and enhance our ability to predict structures from limited information.