People Prefer Greener Corridors: Evidence from Linking the Patterns of Tree and Shrub Diversity and Users’ Preferences in Lisbon’s Green Corridors

Juscidalva Rodrigues De Almeida,Teresa Dias,Reginaldo De Oliveira Nunes

doi:10.3390/su132313228

Juscidalva Rodrigues De Almeida, Teresa Dias + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313228

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Abstract

Despite its importance as a component of urban green spaces, as far as we are aware no study has focused on plant diversity in urban green corridors (GCs). Therefore, this study aimed at: (i) characterizing tree and shrub communities in Lisbon’s GCs and (ii) assessing whether GCs’ users value trees and shrubs. We counted Lisbon’s GCs users in the same places where we assessed the tree and shrub community. Along the nine GCs, we observed trees and shrubs belonging to 70 species, distributed across 35 families with most (≥50%) species and plants being trees, exotic, pollinated by insects, with fruit dispersion by animals, evergreen leaves, and producing dry fruits. Most GCs had a similar number of users (20–30 users h−1 survey−1) except for those of Central and Ribeirinho, which were more frequented (60 and 100 users h−1 survey−1, respectively). Most users (≥50%) were adults, walking accompanied, and performing leisure activities. Finally, the number of users was shown to be influenced by: (i) tree and shrub relative abundance, confirming that users preferred greener corridors; and (ii) function(s), showing that users preferred the most multifunctional GCs (i.e., GCs fulfilling ecological, cultural, and recreational functions). Our data suggest that Lisbon’s GCs favor more the inclusion of citizens than ecological functionality and resilience.

Highlights

Cities cover about 3% of the land on Earth, yet they produce about 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Urban ecosystems do not have to be barriers to biodiversity, instead they can function as housing for plant diversity and contribute to the maintenance of urban fauna, as suggested by the involvement of insects and other animals in the dominant pollination and seed dispersal modes found in green corridors (GCs) trees and shrubs (Table 2 and Figures 2 and 3)
Since there are no studies on plant diversity in GCs, we compared the tree and shrub richness we observed in the set of the nine GCs with that reported for street trees, as both components of urban green spaces have a similar linear structure

Summary

Introduction

Cities cover about 3% of the land on Earth, yet they produce about 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 54% of the world’s population lives in urban areas (estimated to reach 66% by 2050) [1] and many cities and towns worldwide are presently dealing with the impacts of climate change (e.g., heatwaves, extreme droughts, torrential floods). It is estimated that 40% of Lisbon’s street trees provide irreplaceable services (energy saving, reduction of CO2 , air pollution and floods, and property value increase) valued at €7.1 million annually [2]. Urban green spaces contribute to social cohesion, environmental awareness, and human wellbeing (e.g., reducing of stress, noise and pollution, increased sun exposure, improved mental health and immune system, and reduced obesity and diabetes) [3]. The implementation and revitalization of urban green spaces has been used as a strategy for urban populations to enjoy the environmental, social, and health benefits that nature provides

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