E
cosystem
servicesdelivered
Provisioning
Regulation & maintenance
Cultural
Abiotic
C
ontribution
topolicyobjectives
Water Framework Directive
Floods Directive
Birds & Habitats Directive
2020 Biodiversity Strategy
P
otential
biophysicaleffects
Runoff
Reducing pollution
Soil conservation
Habitat
Climate Change
High
Low
Medium
None
The soils under urban forest parks will have a higher ability to
increase infiltration
and groundwater recharge than impermeable urban surfaces; higher porosity and more
textured soil surfaces lead to slower flow rates and potentially less overland flow. Associated with higher organic matter content, this contributes to increased soil water retention
and helps to resist erosion. Forests generally have greater
evapotranspiration and interception
rates than other vegetation types. In wet or temperate areas, this can
reduce the amount of water entering drainage networks. The intensity of precipitation reaching the ground is reduced, thereby reducing sediment delivery.
Many
atmospherically
deposited pollutants including nitrogen and heavy metals are intercepted by growing forests and retained in forest soils. Forest soils also have an ability
to reduce aquatic pollutant sources. Urban forests reflect much of the incoming solar energy and reduce the amount of ground level warming. Trees are typically not harvested,
resulting in a greater long-term
CO² sequestration
potential. Urban forest parks have a high potential to create
habitat
for plants and animals. If they are created using
native or indigenous species, there can be significant biodiversity benefits.
The
recreational opportunities
afforded by urban forest parks are one of their most important ecosystem service benefits. Moreover, the iconic forest parks in European
cities are important components of regional
cultural identity
and the presence of trees can provide a valuable counterpoint to built up areas
