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Forests
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Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Landscapes
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Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Landscapes

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Forestry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2025) | Viewed by 8949

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Remus Creţan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography, Faculty of Chemistry, Biology& Geography, West University of Timișoara, Timișoara, Romania
Interests: regional, urban and rural studies; heritage and memory; historical geography and place naming; political ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mihai Razvan Nita

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Environmental Researches and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: nature-based solutions; green-blue infrastructures; urban planning; co-creation of urban sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last decades, studies have established that ecosystem services could be applied in both urban areas and peri-urban spaces. However, such studies have mainly included separate visions on the urban and the peri-urban, rarely analyzing them together.

Urban and peri-urban landscapes include a diversity of areas with the potential of generating ecosystem services, such as lawns, parks, forests,  street trees, cultivated land,  lakes, wetlands, sea and streams. Several local services could be addressed for each of these ecosystems, with multiple potential co-benefits but also disservices. They could go from broader recreational and cultural values to more specific micro-climate regulation, air filtration, noise reduction, rainwater drainage and sewage treatment.

The aim of this Special Issue is to analyze the multiple dimensions of ecosystem services not only within urban landscapes, but also in peri-urban areas. As ecosystem services include services that are used for the benefits of human beings deriving from ecosystems, the topics of this Special Issue should include, but are not limited to, the following aspects impacting urban and peri-urban landscapes:

- Recreational and cultural ecosystem services in urban and peri-urban landscapes;

- Ecosystem services of specific environmental dimensions (air, water, land use/land cover);

- Ecosystem services for urban and peri-urban gardens;

- Farmland ecosystems within urban and peri-urban areas;

- Methods and indicators for assessing ecosystem services in urban and peri-urban spaces;

- Spatial and temporal variations in ecosystem services at the urban and peri-urban scale;

- Planning and management of ecosystem services in urban and peri-urban areas.

Prof. Dr. Remus Creţan
Dr. Mihai Razvan Nita
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • recreational and cultural ecosystem services in urban and peri-urban landscapes
  • ecosystem services of specific environmental dimensions (air, water, land use/land cover)
  • ecosystem services for urban and peri-urban gardens
  • farmland ecosystems within urban and peri-urban areas
  • methods and indicators for assessing ecosystem services in urban and peri-urban spaces
  • spatial and temporal variations in ecosystem services at the urban and peri-urban scale
  • planning and management of ecosystem services in urban and peri-urban areas

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2017 KB  
Article
Ecological Characteristics and Landscape Preference of Waterfront Wilderness in Mountainous Cities
by Xiaohong Lai, Yanyun Wang, Hongyi Wang, Puyuan Xing, Can Wang, Xuefeng Yuan, Han Gu, Xiaowu Xu and Qian Chen
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1734; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111734 - 16 Nov 2025
Viewed by 522
Abstract
Waterfront wilderness landscapes in mountainous cities, such as Chongqing, play a vital role in sustaining urban biodiversity and human well-being amid steep topography and hydrological variations that create unique habitats. However, public recognition of their ecological values and potential ecological–aesthetic conflicts remain underexplored. [...] Read more.
Waterfront wilderness landscapes in mountainous cities, such as Chongqing, play a vital role in sustaining urban biodiversity and human well-being amid steep topography and hydrological variations that create unique habitats. However, public recognition of their ecological values and potential ecological–aesthetic conflicts remain underexplored. This study investigated biodiversity features and public preferences in Chongqing’s central urban waterfront wilderness through field surveys of 218 quadrats for biodiversity assessment (e.g., Shannon–Wiener and Simpson indices, cluster analysis identifying 12 typical communities) and two questionnaire surveys (N = 260 and 306) evaluating spatial features and plant attributes, with correlation and regression analyses examining relationships between ecological indices and preference scores. Results recorded 116 plant species from 41 families, dominated by herbaceous plants (77.6%), with herbaceous, shrub-herbaceous, and tree-herbaceous communities prevalent. No significant correlations existed between objective diversity indices and preference scores; instead, structure (β = 0.444, p < 0.001) and color (β = 0.447, p < 0.001) drove preferences (explaining 96.7% variance), favoring accessible mid-successional shrub-herbaceous structures over dense, low-diversity evergreen types. These findings reveal ecological–aesthetic conflicts in mountainous settings where aesthetic dominance limits biodiversity recognition. Implications include user-centered zoning: restrict access in low-preference steep areas with buffers for conservation, while enhancing high-preference flat zones via selective pruning and native colorful species introduction, supplemented by educational signage. This research provides a mountainous city archetype, enriching global urban wilderness studies and informing sustainable management in rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Landscapes)
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16 pages, 6246 KB  
Article
Research on Urban Forest Park Management Based on Recreation Concept
by Ximei Li, Mingzhu Chen, Yi Qin, Yi Yang, Xiaoyu Liao, Chunyu Gao, Junjing Zhao, Xin Huang and Zhi Li
Forests 2025, 16(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010102 - 9 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1520
Abstract
Under the fast-paced urban lifestyle, many urban residents suffer from sub-health. Forest-based health and wellness tourism is an effective way to relieve psychological and physiological stress. Urban forest parks play a key role in urban construction. However, the management of many urban forest [...] Read more.
Under the fast-paced urban lifestyle, many urban residents suffer from sub-health. Forest-based health and wellness tourism is an effective way to relieve psychological and physiological stress. Urban forest parks play a key role in urban construction. However, the management of many urban forest parks is still unreasonable, so the economic, social, and ecological benefits of these parks cannot be continuously utilized. In order to manage the urban forest parks from the perspective of health and wellness, three categories of indicators, namely visual sensitivity, forest characteristics, and soil properties, were selected to evaluate the state of forest park management through a case study in Zhengzhou, China. Quadratic investigation methods, analytic hierarchy process, and single-factor analysis were used. The results showed that the park can be divided into four management levels: functional area, management area, management type, and forest subcompartment. Specifically, 4 functional areas, 16 management areas, 31 management types, and 38 forest subcompartments were identified based on the evaluation results. Future management strategies were proposed for each management level accordingly. Our study provided a reference for multi-functional and multi-level forest park management and is helpful to the utilization and development of urban forest health functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Landscapes)
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25 pages, 9536 KB  
Article
Forests and Their Related Ecosystem Services: Visitors’ Perceptions in the Urban and Peri-Urban Spaces of Timișoara, Romania
by Remus Crețan, David Chasciar and Alexandru Dragan
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2177; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122177 - 11 Dec 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3350
Abstract
Urban and peri-urban forests serve as significant drivers, conferring benefits to humans through engagement with their ecosystems. These benefits encompass recreation, cognitive development, introspection, the acquisition of knowledge systems, social relations, and aesthetic values. The aim of this study is to examine the [...] Read more.
Urban and peri-urban forests serve as significant drivers, conferring benefits to humans through engagement with their ecosystems. These benefits encompass recreation, cognitive development, introspection, the acquisition of knowledge systems, social relations, and aesthetic values. The aim of this study is to examine the urban and peri-urban ecosystem services by offering new insights into visitors’ perspectives on the recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual values of forests in the city of Timișoara and its peri-urban area. The study focuses on two forests: Padurea Verde, the largest forest in Timișoara, and the Giroc Forest, one of the most frequently visited forest areas in the peri-urban zone of Timișoara. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted with visitors to the two selected forests in September 2024. The findings indicate that visitors derive benefits from the ecosystem values of these forests, including recreational, aesthetic, and cultural values. However, there are also feelings of disappointment related to the lack of cleanliness and the presence of an excessive number of stray dogs in the forests. The findings also indicate a necessity for the implementation of organized activities, such as sports competitions and more children-oriented events, while discouraging the organization of festivals and the excessive use of noise in forests. Furthermore, they suggest that forests should be maintained in a relatively undisturbed state. These findings could prove beneficial as future perspectives for local practitioners, enabling the continued provision of complex ecosystem services and recreational values by urban and peri-urban forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Landscapes)
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Review

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21 pages, 2924 KB  
Review
Green Belts in Africa: A Diagnostic Review of Urban Forestry and Sustainable Management Strategies
by Komna Balagou, Kossi Adjonou, Kossi Novigno Segla, Kossi Komi, Jean-Bosco Benewinde Zoungrana, Coffi Aholou and Kouami Kokou
Forests 2025, 16(4), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16040700 - 18 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2061
Abstract
Green belts, consisting mainly of natural forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas surrounding major cities, play an essential role in regulating urban development and controlling the expansion of metropolitan areas. Although this concept has been extensively studied in the world’s major metropolitan areas, it [...] Read more.
Green belts, consisting mainly of natural forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas surrounding major cities, play an essential role in regulating urban development and controlling the expansion of metropolitan areas. Although this concept has been extensively studied in the world’s major metropolitan areas, it remains relatively unknown in many countries, particularly in Africa. There is a great need for research to better understand urban vegetation cover on the continent. This article proposes a systematic review of African publications on green cover for the period 2010 to 2024. A descriptive and thematic analysis of the selected scientific papers was carried out using a database established to examine the state of existing research and understanding of the management of these plant formations in Africa. The results of these analyses highlight several major challenges facing urban forestry, including increasing anthropogenic pressures, lack of urban planning that integrates urban forestry, and shortcomings in the management of existing forest landscapes. The thematic analysis has also helped to identify the topics addressed by African researchers, identify gaps in research, and suggest directions for future studies. Three priority areas emerge from this analysis: the conservation of natural or artificial green belts around cities, the impact of these forest landscapes on urban heat islands (climate impact), and the sustainability of ecosystem management in the context of sustainable urbanization. These guidelines will enable a better understanding and valorization of green belts in Africa, thus contributing to the construction of more sustainable cities and the efficient management of forest landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Landscapes)
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