Summary
This review synthesises evidence on integrated soil–plant system indicators as tools for evaluating urban forestry effectiveness, moving beyond single-compartment (soil or plant alone) assessment approaches. The authors argue that indicators capturing soil–plant interactions—particularly those reflecting nutrient cycles, enzyme stoichiometry, and stable isotope signatures—are better suited to quantifying both the capacity of soils to support healthy vegetation and the contribution of urban trees to ecosystem service provisioning. The work emphasises that such indicators can inform evidence-based planning and adaptive management of nature-based solutions in urban settings.
Regional applicability
The study's geography is not specified in the abstract, limiting direct confirmation of United Kingdom applicability. However, urban forestry and soil–plant indicator frameworks are globally relevant; the methodological approach outlined would likely transfer to UK urban contexts, though specific indicator thresholds and their sensitivity to UK soil types and climatic conditions would require local validation.
Key measures
Ecological stoichiometry; enzyme activity and stoichiometry; carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes; nutrient cycling efficiency; air quality improvements
Outcomes reported
The review examines soil–plant system indicators related to nutrient cycles, including ecological stoichiometry, enzyme activity and stoichiometry, and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. These indicators are evaluated for their suitability in assessing ecosystem functionality and the effectiveness of urban forestry interventions.
Topic tags
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