Table 2 Article inclusion and exclusion criteria for the carbon group, summarised from published protocol [28]. The use of italics indicates changes that were made after the protocol [28] was published.
Screening criteria | Included | Excluded |
|---|---|---|
Population | Any component of the urban forest (trees, shrubs, woody species) in North or South temperate regions or land use types that contain urban forest components in public and private domains: vacant lots, parks, streets, private yards, cemeteries, institutions, and commercial spaces. | Studies that evaluated only the vegetative component of the urban forest (e.g., tree species, canopy). Studies that measure forest soil with no link to vegetative components. |
Intervention | Studies that evaluated the effect of urban forest management as a climate solution for carbon storage and sequestration. Relevant strategies broadly include tree species selection and planting, tree crown area, protected area, green space management, connectivity, and composition. | Studies focused on land-use change and carbon capacity (e.g. how carbon storage is altered as land-use changes). Studies that only quantify carbon storage or sequestration in monetary values ($ dollars). |
Outcome | The reported measured outcome should indicate or measure differences in carbon storage or sequestration for improved climate mitigation. Broadly defined to include any measurement related to carbon stored, rates of carbon sequestration in urban areas. | Studies that indirectly link urban forest characteristics to carbon storage and sequestration. For example, studies that infer potential changes in carbon storage and sequestration without any direct measurements. |
Comparator | Relevant comparators included: (1) urban and rural, (2) separate but similar green space types with no intervention, (3) an alternative level of urban forest interventions on the same or different study green space. Studies that look at trends without true comparators: temporal trends of species success (urbanization), or spatial trends that do not include “control” sites. | |
Language | English as full text | Any study that is not in English at full text |