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Interpreting Sustainability for Urban Forests

Author

Listed:
  • Camilo Ordóñez

    (School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada)

  • Peter N. Duinker

    (School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada)

Abstract

Incisive interpretations of urban-forest sustainability are important in furthering our understanding of how to sustain the myriad values associated with urban forests. Our analysis of earlier interpretations reveals conceptual gaps. These interpretations are attached to restrictive definitions of a sustainable urban forest and limited to a rather mechanical view of maintaining the biophysical structure of trees. The probing of three conceptual domains (urban forest concepts, sustainable development, and sustainable forest management) leads to a broader interpretation of urban-forest sustainability as the process of sustaining urban forest values through time and across space. We propose that values—and not services, benefits, functions or goods—is a superior concept to refer to what is to be sustained in and by an urban forest.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilo Ordóñez & Peter N. Duinker, 2010. "Interpreting Sustainability for Urban Forests," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(6), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:2:y:2010:i:6:p:1510-1522:d:8508
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. de Groot, Rudolf S. & Wilson, Matthew A. & Boumans, Roelof M. J., 2002. "A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and services," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 393-408, June.
    3. Tyrvainen, Liisa & Miettinen, Antti, 2000. "Property Prices and Urban Forest Amenities," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 205-223, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. James D. Hale & Thomas A. M. Pugh & Jon P. Sadler & Christopher T. Boyko & Julie Brown & Silvio Caputo & Maria Caserio & Richard Coles & Raziyeh Farmani & Chantal Hales & Russell Horsey & Dexter V. L., 2015. "Delivering a Multi-Functional and Resilient Urban Forest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-25, April.
    2. Peter N. Duinker & Camilo Ordóñez & James W. N. Steenberg & Kyle H. Miller & Sydney A. Toni & Sophie A. Nitoslawski, 2015. "Trees in Canadian Cities: Indispensable Life Form for Urban Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Jindong Wu, 2019. "Developing General Equations for Urban Tree Biomass Estimation with High-Resolution Satellite Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Giulia Capotorti & Barbara Mollo & Laura Zavattero & Ilaria Anzellotti & Laura Celesti-Grapow, 2015. "Setting Priorities for Urban Forest Planning. A Comprehensive Response to Ecological and Social Needs for the Metropolitan Area of Rome (Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-19, April.

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