SOLUÇÕES BASEADAS NA NATUREZA: ESTUDO DA ARBORIZAÇÃO DAS PRAÇAS DO MUNICÍPIO DE CHAPADÃO DO SUL, MS

Abstract

Urban afforestation plays a fundamental role in the environmental quality of cities, directly influencing thermal comfort, local biodiversity, and the capacity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Urban squares represent spaces for integration between society and the environment, functioning as important reserves of vegetation within the urban fabric. Thus, the objective of this work was to carry out a qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of the trees and shrubs that make up the squares of the municipality of Chapadão do Sul – MS. The study involved a census of arboreal and shrubby individuals with a minimum height of 1.3 m and DBH ≥ 15 cm, recording information on botanical identification, origin, health, and dendrometric dimensions. Diversity was analyzed using the Shannon Index (H′), and carbon stock was calculated using an allometric equation applied to the urban context. A total of 605 individuals were counted, distributed among 36 species and 20 botanical families, with Arecaceae being the most frequent family and Lagerstroemia indica (Resedá) the most frequent species. The diversity of the squares varied between moderate and high (H′ = 1.34 to 2.07). Praça 23 de Outubro presented the highest number of individuals and the greatest contribution to carbon stock, with 63.18 tC and 231.89 tCO₂eq. Praça Asa Branca, on the other hand, presented lower diversity and a low carbon stock (0.49 tC). The predominance of some species, mainly exotic ones, reduced the floristic balance in part of the studied areas. The total carbon stock of the squares amounted to 81.74 tC (300.00 tCO₂eq), demonstrating a significant contribution to mitigating urban emissions. The results indicate that urban afforestation in the municipality plays a significant environmental role, but requires diversification and continuous planning to increase ecological resilience and the benefits provided to the population.