Sustainable trees to promote sustainable cities in a changing climate

The urban forest contributes to numerous ecosystem services, most of which rely on large and healthy trees. It is therefore important to plant species that can handle the challenging growing conditions in cities.

Due to the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves, droughts and flooding events, knowledge of species’ resilience to climate stress is now urgently needed as input for the species selection process.

The overall scientific aim of the project is to evaluate tree species for their suitability for the future urban environments of Northern Europe. The societal aim is to provide science-based guidelines for urban tree selection for practitioners.

We will use greenhouse experiments and field measurements in Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden, to explore the links between a broad selection of physiological tree traits and stress tolerance.

The long-term responses of trees to climatic stressors will be assessed by biogeophysical modelling based on the physiological traits, site conditions and climate change scenarios.

The public’s preferences regarding species choice will be investigated and potential conflicts between a species’ popularity and climate-smartness identified.

Based on these efforts, we will develop an easy-to-use tree selection guide aimed at city planners and other urban tree professionals.

The broader society will be reached by social media activity, popular science publication, seminars and events at the Gothenburg Botanical Garden.