ZUKAMAS

In the context of climate change, urban trees are playing an increasingly vital role in helping cities adapt to rising temperatures and extreme weather. At the same time, they are themselves under growing stress from heat, drought, and other environmental pressures.

The ZUKAMAS (“Future-oriented Climate Change Management for Urban Green Spaces”) project aims to find out how urban trees and green spaces along the Upper Rhine Rift Valley can contribute to climate change adaptation.

The research focuses on using cutting-edge-tools - such as advanced sensors, molecular analyses, tree ring studies and digital models of individual trees to gather data that will inform targeted, resource-efficient strategies for the care and management of urban trees. The overarching goal is to ensure their long-term health and ecological function—for the benefit of both urban ecosystems and city residents.

A key component of the project is identifying tree species for urban areas that are particularly well adapted to climate change, promote biodiversity and are accepted by the public. This knowledge will form the basis for concrete recommendations to guide future urban planning

Citizen participation and collaboration with local governments are central to the project. By actively involving residents and municipal stakeholders, the project seeks to raise awareness of the importance of urban greenery and to co-develop sustainable, actionable solutions for its protection and enhancement

The research work is structured into four closely integrated sub-projects, carried out in collaboration by the participating institutes.