Hiago Felipe Cardoso Pacheco, Walmer Bruno da Rocha Martins, Julia Isabella de Matos Rodrigues, Joathan Cipriano Castro, Paula Daniele Martins Moraes, José Rozendo de Lima Silva, Marcos Alexandre Vieira Nascimento Filho, Lucas Lopes da Silva
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Key message
This study highlights native species’ potential for urban landscaping in the Amazon region, prioritizing safety and ecosystem benefits.
Abstract
Public squares can be important elements for sustainable urban development and adaptation to climate change, for which an adequate tree composition is key. In the Amazon region, despite the high tree biodiversity, it is common to select unfitted species to compose public squares’ landscaping. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the suitability of species used for landscaping of public squares in an Amazonian state capital, based on 4 morphometric and 3 ecological features. 50 public squares were selected and inventoried, tree species were evaluated and classified according to morphometric features (crown projection, slenderness, overhang index, and coverage index), as well as ecological features (leaf habit, fruit weight, and species origin). Species were ranked from the most to the least suitable using weighted values based upon the 7 features employed. The results indicated that, within species currently in used in Belém public squares, Andira inermis (W.Wright) DC. (Cabbage bark) and Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Kapok tree), native to the Amazon region, were the most fitted for public squares landscaping among all the species encountered. Native species such as Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl. (Brazil nut) and Swietenia macrophylla King (Brazilian mahogany), although promising, showed limitations due to their high weighted fruits. This study highlights the need for further research on the use of native Amazonian flora in public squares, especially on its regulating and cultural ecosystem services provision in urban contexts. Additionally, it emphasizes that the implementation of some species should be discontinued due to risks to the safety of urban square visitors and possible damage to urban infrastructure.
期刊介绍：
Trees - Structure and Function publishes original articles on the physiology, biochemistry, functional anatomy, structure and ecology of trees and other woody plants. Also presented are articles concerned with pathology and technological problems, when they contribute to the basic understanding of structure and function of trees. In addition to original articles and short communications, the journal publishes reviews on selected topics concerning the structure and function of trees.
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