Análise estrutural de espécies arbóreas em praças de Belém, Amazônia oriental.

Abstract

The loss of vegetation in urban centers is directly linked to unplanned urbanization processes. As a result, various benefits are not provided to the population, such as climate regulation, flood control, and conservation of faunal and floral biodiversity. Thus, parks are significant green areas that play multiple roles in maintaining urban ecosystems and are also identified as excellent tools for mental recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, it is essential to conduct surveys and assessments of these green areas to select suitable tree species for park landscaping. This dissertation is divided into two chapters, both involving the tree planting in parks in the city of Belém, Eastern Amazon. The first chapter presents a study on floristic composition and diversity to understand which tree species are being used in planting projects, their origin, and their conservation status. The second chapter assesses the most suitable species for providing ecosystem services in park landscaping, based on morphometric and ecological parameters. The density of individuals did not differ between administrative districts, although a significant difference was observed among species' origins. Amazonian trees such as Andira inermis (W.Wright) DC., Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn., and Handroanthus serratifolius (Vahl) S.Grose proved to be good options for urban tree planting benefits. This indicates that, despite the global trend towards using exotic species, local species can be valuable allies in enhancing the scenic value of the capital and mitigating the negative effects of climate change, given proper research and investment. Therefore, this work contributes to the understanding of the role of green areas and underscores the importance of encouraging research for the long-term sustainability of their services.