Abstract
ABSTRACT Urban tree cover has important environmental and social functions and can act as ecological refuges. The objective of the present study was to investigate the taxonomic and functional diversities of urban plant communities in Alfenas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. We sampled all trees DBH ≥ 3 cm in eight different urban green areas, recording 1,138 individuals and 119 species; two species were dominant: Poincianella pluviosa (Fabaceae) and Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae). The high species richness encountered reflected, in part, the presence of exotic species, which corresponded to 40% of the species and 25% of the total abundance. The functional diversity index (HF') was considered low, with the predominant functional traits among the species being small size, entomophily, zoochory, evergreen leaves, and dry fruits. We recommend that future urban afforestation projects incorporate strategies that increase the use of regional species as well as the functional diversity/complexity of those environments.
Highlights
The global human population has increased approximately ten-fold in the last century
The study of plant diversity represents a promising tool for the conservation of biodiversity in urban ecosystems
Since those habitats are becoming increasingly common with the expansion of human populations, the determination of taxonomic and functional patterns will be critical to understand community dynamics and for subsidizing management and conservation strategies
Summary
The global human population has increased approximately ten-fold in the last century. Green urban areas have significant potential to aid biodiversity conservation, provide diverse advantages to human populations (see Roy et al, 2012), contribute to the environmental quality of cities, and act as refuges for rich plant communities (Ordóñez & Duinker, 2012; Freitas et al, 2015). Despite their potential as biodiversity refuges, urban green spaces tend to have quite peculiar floristic compositions. There is no consensus on the use of exotic plants in urban afforestation, at the same time that the silvicultural potentials of regional native species have largely been neglected (Isernhagen et al, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
