Restoration of nature in urban areas is essential to cope with global environmental issues. Urban woodlands are important as habitats for living things. I investigated the ecological basis for the environmental importance of urban woodlands. Urban woodlands were evaluated according to the following four values, 1) ecological value, 2) cultural value, 3) environmental value, and 4) social value. The history of woodlands and human use in the Osaka Plain were reviewed. Broad-leaved evergreen forests began to expand north ward 7, 000 years ago, with retreat of deciduous oak forests. People began to cut the forests down and make paddy fields 2, 000 years ago. In Osaka, groves attached to village shrines preserve ancient evergreen forests. Satoyama woodlands and coppices were widespread and the nature and culture of these landscapes was familiar to the people of this country. I consider these the prototypes of the urban woodlands which we make. Woodlands have structures such as merge, interior, and glades. Glades are important, though habitat preference is diverse according to species. Urban woodlands have no interior environment of natural woodlands, but have a marginal one. Methods and magnitude in managing woodlands are important. We should remember that woodlands grow over time. Target species of birds, butterflies and other insects and the conditions necessary for them are described. I also suggest uses of urban woodlands.

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