Assessment and Valuation of the Ecosystem Services Provided by Urban Forests

This chapter reviews studies on ecosystem services provided by urban forests, and provides an overall assessment of the status of the science. Case studies have provided a rich array of specific and objective data to verify in concrete terms many benefits of urban greenery, some of which were in the past mainly advocated as broad-brush interpretations, assumptions, and postulates. Particular attention is given to empirical studies of benefits generated by urban forests, including the identification of ecosystem services, the intrinsic value embodied in such services, and the methods to assess their value. The extensive findings from assessing ecosystem services should provide a firm basis for proceeding to the next logical step of valuation. Associated potential applications are also discussed.