STRUCTURE AND BIOMASS ANALYSIS OF URBAN VEGETATION IN SQUARES OF SANTA CECÍLIA DISTRICT, SÃO PAULO, SP

• Published in: Revista árvore 2020, Vol.44
• Main Authors: Arratia, Andre Luis Dias, Ribeiro, Andreza Portella, Quaresma, Cristiano Capellani, Rodrigues, Elaine Aparecida, Lucca, Edgar Fernando de, Camargo, Plínio Barbosa de, Nascimento, Ana Paula Branco do, Ferreira, Maurício Lamano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allometry; Carbon Cycling; FORESTRY; Green Infrastructure
• ISSN: 0100-6762; 1806-9088; 1806-9088
• DOI: 10.1590/1806-908820200000017

ABSTRACT Urban trees play an important role in urban planning and are directly linked to urban spaces that promote ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation and carbon stock. A useful methodology to quantify the above-ground (ABG) biomass, and consequently, the carbon stocks, in this green infrastructure is the allometric models made for tropical areas. This work aimed to evaluate the carbon stock in public squares within the central region of São Paulo city, thus contributing to the comprehension of São Paulo’s green infrastructure. To test the models, tree density and ABG biomass of approximately 7 ha of urban green areas in the center of São Paulo city were evaluated. The activities involved measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the trees and the total height of all individuals with a DBH greater than 5 cm. The results showed that the public squares varied in size and number of trees. The average height of trees also varied along the squares, probably influencing the ABG biomass allocation. Also, the results showed that there was a considerable variation between the ABG biomass estimated along the models. Some squares stood out in absolute terms of ABG biomass accumulation. The size of the green area correlated only with the total number of individuals found (R2=0.44). The total ABG biomass, tree density, and ABG biomass density did not present a significant relationship with the size of the squares. This work demonstrates, for the first time, the attributes of tree communities in public squares of- São Paulo city and provides technical information for the management of public policies related to the protection and maintenance of urban green areas. RESUMO As árvores urbanas desempenham um papel importante no planejamento urbano e estão diretamente ligadas aos espaços urbanos que promovem serviços ecossistêmicos, como por exemplo, conservação da biodiversidade e estoque de carbono. Uma metodologia útil para quantificar a biomassa acima do solo (ABG) e, consequentemente, os estoques de carbono nessa infraestrutura verde, é feita através de modelos alométricos específicos para áreas tropicais. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o estoque de carbono em praças públicas da região central da cidade de São Paulo, contribuindo assim para a compreensão da infraestrutura verde da cidade. Para testar os modelos foram avaliadas a densidade das árvores e a biomassa de aproximadamente 7 ha de áreas verdes urbanas no centro da cidade de São P