Four steps that can save and protect urban forests and green spaces

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-07-02 04:00

Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; ACT

Image by Spencer Wing from Pixabay

Four steps can save and protect urban forests and green spaces, according to an essay authored by a large group of researchers from Australia and around the world, who say that urban forests are under threat from climate change, urban expansion, weak legal protection, and inadequate funding. The researchers emphasise that urban forests support critical ecosystem functioning and services vital for healthy, resilient cities, and recognising them as core infrastructure is essential to reversing the loss of mature trees, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining liveability amid increasing climate and environmental pressures. The team outlines four priorities, including investment in urban forests as critical living infrastructure, delivering equity and access for all communities, strengthening resilience through evidence-based management and continuous learning, and mainstreaming urban forests in climate and biodiversity governance.

Attachments

Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.

Research PLOS, Web page URL will go live when the embargo lifts

Journal/
conference: PLOS Climate

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Western Sydney University, The University of Melbourne, Macquarie University, The Australian National University, Charles Sturt University, The University of Sydney, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Bangor University, UK

Funder: The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Media Contact/s

Contact details are only visible to registered journalists.