Espécies utilizadas na arborização em praças do município de Caxias, Maranhão

Abstract

Trees constitute an important part for the pleasantness of squares in urban environments, serve as habitat for animals, thus increasing biodiversity; reduce noise pollution; absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and return it as oxygen gas; influence psychological well-being and air quality. The objective of this research was to list and analyze the conditions of the arboreal plant community of the squares in the central region of Caxias city -MA. It was used the quantitative and qualitative research method, which consisted in knowing the species, their origins and the community structure present in the afforestation of all nine central squares of the municipality of Caxias -MA. In November of 2015, the branches of the specimens were collected, which were pressed and later identified with the aid of pertinent literature, consultations with specialists. Data from specimen collection were released in forms, and then quantified in tables and graphs. A total of 263 individuals were inventoried, distributed in 13 families, 25 genera and 29 species, of which 16 are native and 13 exotic. The most representative family was Fabaceae with 9 species. The results showed that most of the tree species in the squares are in excellent conservation status, but also revealed a high percentage of homogeneity in the squares of Caxias city -MA, which demonstrates the need to create a municipal afforestation plan aiming to increase the biodiversity in these environments and consequently to avoid the uniformization of the landscape and a devaluation of the local flora.