Composição florística de áreas verdes públicas urbanas em três municípios da Amazônia brasileira, Oeste do Pará, Brasil

Abstract

Public squares are examples of urban green areas and as well as acting as refuges for plant communities with significant conservation potential, they also promote improvements in both urban environmental quality and the quality of life of the people who frequent them. It is therefore important that these environments are well planned and wooded. With this in mind, the aim ofthis study was to survey the plants used in the afforestation ofpublic green spaces in the municipalities of Oriximiná, Óbidos and Monte Alegre, Pará, Brazil. It also aimed to compare the urban flora present in these spaces with the flora of the Conservation Units (UCs) located in these municipalities. The research was carried out in ten public squares, considered to be the most visited by the local population. Fertile samples were collected from the plants grown in the squares using basic collection and herborization techniques. Collections were also made at the Estação Ecológica do Grão-Pará and the Reserva Biológica Maicuru. We identified the species using dichotomous keys, specialized literature, consultations with specialists and physical and virtual herbaria. The species sampled were classified according to their origin (native and exotic). The floristic similarity between the municipalities studied was carried out, as well as between the flora of the municipalities and the flora of the UCs, and the Shannon diversity, equitability and dominance indices were applied. Interviews were also conducted with visitors to the squares in each municipality. Overall, we recorded a total of 4,810 individuals, 50 species, 38 genera and 20 botanical families in the squares. Exotic plants were predominant in terms of species and number of individuals. A total of 34 species and 22 families were identified in the UCs. Our analysis showed dissimilarity between the flora sampled in the municipalities and the flora of the PAs. The municipality of Monte Alegre showed the greatest diversity and equitability. As a result of the questionnaires, 90 interviews were carried out, where a positive perception of the presence of vegetation in the urban environment was observed, and shade stood out as the attribute most cited by them. Finally, we hope to contribute to the floristic knowledge of urban green areas in the Amazon region and advocate the valorization of local flora through the use of native species in the afforestation of amazonian municipalities.