Analysis of vegetation cover distribution in Public Green Areas in Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Urban population growth in Brazil is expected to remain on rising until 2050, and it will affect the relationship between city residents and urban green areas, whose vegetation favor the environment and human health. These areas must be conserved and they can be monitored through the application of techniques and through measurement and distribution indicators by relating their area and vegetation cover (VC) to the urban population. VC distribution in Public Green Areas (PGA) in Governador Valadares City, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, was measured and assessed. An orthophoto and the AutoCad^(R) software were used to measure VC and to calculate and classify PGA and PGAVC indices for the city and its neighborhoods. Also, the association between VC and PGA area, and urban zoning, as well as between indices and neighborhoods’ age, were analyzed. VC ratio in the PGA area is inconstant; moreover, more populated zones presented less VC. PGAs presenting the recommended size did not present satisfactory VC in the neighborhoods and most indices recorded value equal to zero. PGAs did not remain the same due to VC prevalence, and it may limit vegetation’s ecological services to the urban population. Therefore, alternative green spaces are needed in old regions without PGAs, PGA conservation in regions with satisfactory VC, as well as it is essential reforesting areas recording unsatisfactory VC. Urban VC was measured in an orthophoto (0.1 pixel/cm) and it indicated that PGA and PGAVC indices and PGAs VC distribution map are suitable and low-cost urban planning tools aimed at environmental services offered by vegetation to the population.

Keywords:
Urban ecology; Urban environmental indicators; Urban planning