Abstract

COSTA, Laura R.; RIBEIRO, Luís P.  and  ANDRESEN, Teresa. Oporto Metro: Growth and Installation of the Trees in Urban Space. Silva Lus. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.Especial, pp.57-76. ISSN 0870-6352.

The urban forest, by the set of roles it plays, has a growing importance in the environmental and aesthetic appreciation of urban spaces. At the same time, however, is simultaneously subject to the limitations that these spaces imply in their growth. Intending to evaluate the capacity of installation and development of young trees in the urban space, 2297 individuals were studied from 29 specie/form/cultivar/hybrid planted in green corridors of Porto’s Metro surface for a period of 9 years of mensuration. The study took place in the North of Porto Metropolitan Area because it was considered an area with a greater variety of conditions (pollution of different types of issuers, urbanized areas and rural/forest areas, infrastructure, green spaces most recently planted and monitored, etc). In the evaluation of the growth and development, were considered biotic factors (diseases and pests), abiotic factors (air pollution, soil compaction, water, solar radiation conditions), and the mechanical actions developed by man, deliberate or occasionally (pruning, canopy management, root collar injuries and trunk injuries and vandalism). Finally, indicators of capacity for growth and implementation of trees were obtained based on its growth and diameters, mortality rates and vigor that are considered themselves, simultaneously, positive and potential indicators of tree planting as a component in urban development projects.

Keywords : Tree planting; Indicators; Rate of mortality; Vigor.

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