A importância das áreas verdes urbanas na promoção de serviços ecossistêmicos na cidade de João Pessoa-PB

Abstract

Unplanned urbanization leads to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, urban heat islands and pollution, factors that negatively affect both the quality of life and the resilience of cities. In contrast, Urban Green Spaces (UGS) play an important role in addressing these challenges as they provide a range of ecosystem services (ES), such as improved air quality and microclimate regulation. Considering this issue, the present study aimed to investigate the importance of UGS in promoting ecosystem services in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil. The study adopted a descriptive, explanatory and interdisciplinary approach with both qualitative and quantitative elements. Four UGS in João Pessoa were selected for the analysis: Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara (Bica), Parque Sólon de Lucena (Parque da Lagoa), Jardim Botânico Benjamim Maranhão (Mata do Buraquinho), and Parque Natural Municipal do Cuiá (Parque Cuiá). To evaluate the microclimate regulation services, the study calculated the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for João Pessoa and analyzed the surface temperatures in the selected areas. To evaluate the cultural services, a survey was conducted on the activities carried out in these green areas and the environmental perception of the users was assessed. The results emphasized the crucial role of UGS in providing both types of ecosystem services, especially in well-maintained areas with institutional oversight. In addition, the results emphasized the importance of green spaces for the development of local flora and fauna and for improving the quality of lifeof residents, which is reflected in the environmental perception of users. Based on these findings, the study highlights the urgent need for effective public policies to guide the creation and management of UGS in João Pessoa.