Native versus non-native: selection of tree species for a sustainable urban forest

Urban trees provide critical environmental and socio-cultural benefits to city dwellers. In recognition of their importance to sustainable cities and communities, there is a global drive to increase urban tree cover, with an increasing focus on native vs non-native species selection to maximise benefits to biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, stakeholders interested in the urban forest lack adequate research-led information to make decisions about tree species selection for resilience to pressures experienced in the urban env

ironment (e.g. pollution, extreme heat), future climate change and pests and diseases. Addressing these knowledge-gaps is critical to ensuring a sustainable and resilient urban forest for future generations.