Introducing urban food forestry: a multifunctional approach to increase food security and provide ecosystem services

Abstract

We examine the potential role of perennial woody food-producing species (''food trees'') in cities in the context of urban sustainable development and propose a multifunctional approach that combines elements of urban agriculture, urban forestry, and agroforestry into what we call ''urban food forestry'' (UFF). We used four approaches at different scales to gauge the potential of UFF to enhance urban sustainability and contribute to food security in the context of urbanization and climate change. First, we identified 37 current initiatives based around urban food trees, and analyzed their activities in three categories: planting, mapping, and harvesting, finding that the majority (73 %) only performed one activity, and only 8 % performed all three. Second, we analyzed 30 urban forestry master plans, finding that only 13 % included human food security among their objectives, while 77 % included habitat for wildlife. Third, we used Burlington, Vermont as a case study to quantify the potential fruit yield of publicly accessible open space if planted with Malus domestica (the common apple) under nine different planting and yield scenarios. We found that 108 % of the daily recommended minimum intake of fruit for the entire city's population could be met under the most ambitious planting scenario, with substantial potential to contribute to food security even under more modest scenarios. Finally, we developed a Climate-Food-Species Matrix of potential food trees appropriate for temperate urban environments as a decision-making tool. We identified a total of 70 species, 30 of which we deemed ''highly suitable'' for urban food forestry based on their cold hardiness, drought tolerance, and edibility. We conclude that substantial untapped potential exists for urban food forestry to contribute to urban sustainability via increased food security and landscape multifunctionality.

Exploring the potential of edible forest gardens: experiences from a participatory action research project in Sweden

“…There is a rapidly growing interest in edible forest gardens in temperate industrialized countries [e.g., see the review on food forest projects in (Clark and Nicholas 2013)]. Mainly urban and suburban dwellers establish edible forest gardens in their home gardens or on community-owned land.…”

“…The group called for structured breeding work to be organized on a regional basis. Lowell et al (2017) also anticipated that improved tree crop varieties might "boost the overall performance of the system", and Clark and Nicholas (2013) started this work by identifying species that may be suitable due to cold hardiness, drought tolerance and edibility. The group further identified the need for research on the interactions between the forest garden plants and the above and below ground wild biotic community, e.g., biological regulation due to predation, parasitism, symbiosis and allelopathy.…”

Urban Foraging: A Ubiquitous Human Practice Overlooked by Urban Planners, Policy, and Research

“…In addition to the conversion of greenspace to hardscape [21,32], remaining greenspaces may be privatised or reconceptualised as spaces for non-consumptive recreation and nature watching, resulting in the closure of de facto commons where foraging previously occurred unhindered [49,50]. Clark and Nicholas [51] surveyed 30 urban forestry master plans from North America and found an underlying prioritisation of wildlife habitat over food security that shapes urban forest planning in most cities.…”

“…For example, Clark and Nicholas [51] identified 37 urban community initiatives focussed on food tree plantations in Europe and North America. Several of these focussed explicitly on plantations and harvest in low-income neighbourhoods, and demonstrated the importance of plantations for urban foraging to address issues of urban food insecurity and malnutrition.…”

Trees in Canadian Cities: Indispensable Life Form for Urban Sustainability

“…Trees have been a source of food for people throughout the ages. Urban settings are highly suitable for growing the full range of fruit and nut trees [78]. Additionally, there may be opportunities to pick edible berries and mushrooms that grow on the forest floor of treed parks and other naturalized areas.…”