Polish journal of environmental studies

Abstract

The rapid and unpredictable expansion of urban areas poses a major challenge to humanity in adapting to climate change in the coming decades.Therefore, the presence of urban forests promotes climate change adaptation through their geographic location in cities.This systematic literature review (SLR) analyzed the existing research on ecosystem services provided by urban forests for climate change adaptation.The bibliographic databases Web of Science and Scopus were used for the study according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement.There were 484 publications found that were published between 2011 and 2021 using specific terms in both search engines.However, there were only 59 articles from 26 different countries that met the inclusion criteria.When analyzing these 59 articles, the majority focused on carbon storage, while less than a quarter examined other services such as climate regulation and air purification.Hence, research should focus on the less studied or potential ecosystem services for climate change adaptation.Because the results provide a comprehensive overview of the role of urban forests in climate change adaptation, they should provide insights for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers seeking to improve urban resilience through the sustainable use of urban forest ecosystem services.