Conceptualizing social-ecological drivers of change in urban forest patches

This paper introduces a conceptual model of how social and ecological factors contribute to the formation, development, and management of urban forested natural areas. The authors present and explain a series of factors at multiple scales, from the local level to macro-scale social changes, that end up co-producing urban forested natural areas. 

In a nutshell, this resource offers:

• A conceptual model, in the form of a box and arrow diagram, that visually depicts patterns of cause and effect in urban forested natural areas.
• Descriptions of multiple factors that influence urban forested natural areas, from governance at multiple scales, to landscape ecology, to the effects of visitors on the land.
• A backgrounder on what forested natural areas are, and how they come to be.

How to use this resource:

• As a checklist for concepts to consider when making plans or decisions about urban forested natural areas.
• As a citation to justify the importance of management and care for urban forested natural areas.
• As a starting point to understand urban forested natural areas at a high, conceptual level.

Author: Lea R. Johnson and Michelle L. Johnson et al.

Date published: 2020

Point of contact: Lea Johnson, Longwood Gardens, Division of Research and Conservation, Land Stewardship and Ecology Program, ljohnson@longwoodgardens.org 

Citation: Johnson, L. R.; Johnson, M. L.; Aronson, M. F. J.; Campbell, L. K.; Carr, M. E.; Clarke, M.; D’Amico, V.; Darling, L.; Erker, T.; Fahey, R. T.; King, K. L.; Lautar, K.; Locke, D. H.; Morzillo, A. T.; Pincetl, S.; Rhodes, L.; Schmit, J. P.; Scott, L.; Sonti, N. F. 2020. Conceptualizing social-ecological drivers of change in urban forest patches. Urban Ecosystems. 125: 254-270. 

Resource is available online here.