Assessing the response of Singapore's urban forest to future climate change: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

• Main Author: Ho, Angelina Jiaa Ning
• Other Authors: Perrine Hamel
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Earth and Environmental Sciences; Climate Change; Temperature
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/174822
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Urban forests are often employed to mitigate the impacts of climate change by providing ecosystem services, but are themselves affected by climate change. This study aimed to determine whether Singapore’s urban forest would adapt to future climate change while maintaining ecosystem service provision. We conducted a systematic literature review of responses of tropical trees to climate change, from which we synthesised the responses of species common in Singapore’s urban forest, and conducted a meta-analysis on the stomatal conductance responses of tropical trees. Stomatal conductance was used as a proxy for future health and ecosystem service provision capacity of Singapore’s urban forest due to its close relationship with photosynthesis and transpiration. Thermal acclimation of photosynthesis occurred in 3 out of the 5 Singapore species (Xanthostemon chrysanthus, Ficus benjamina, and Tabebuia rosea), suggesting that only these species would adapt to climate change. Stomatal conductance did not respond to temperature increase in Xanthostemon chrysanthus, Coccoloba uvifera, and Terminalia catappa, suggesting that they would maintain evaporative coolings. Overall stomatal conductance in the tropics may not uniformly change with temperature increase, as responses will likely vary interspecifically due to differences in species traits. Selecting species that possess traits associated with both photosynthetic acclimation and maintenance of evaporative cooling, such as Xanthostemon chrysanthus, for greening efforts would allow Singapore to develop an urban forest that is capable of adapting to climate change and continuing to provide ecosystem services.