Natividade da flora usada na arborização de cidades brasileiras

Abstract

Urban problems may be solved or mitigated by afforestation because trees provide environmental services and create situations of social interaction. When native species are used in urban environments, afforestation can also contribute to biological conservation and generate ecological functions. However, Brazilian cities have traditionally been afforested with exotic species. In order to evaluate the origin of floristic compositions used in Brazilian urban areas, tree species from 55 cities located in 26 states and in Brazil Federal District were surveyed. Results showed that the number of exotic species outnumbered native species in 43 out the 55 surveyed cities. Cities located in Caatinga biome presented more exotic than native species in their urban areas, and cities located in the Amazon and Cerrado regions presented the opposite scenario, where native tree species prevailed over exotic species.