Arborização urbana e percepção ambiental: uma análise descritiva em dois bairros de Natal / RN.

The current paper aims to check the environmental population perception of the two east side districts of Natal / RN (Rocas and Petrópolis) on its afforestation. The issues related to the environmental perception and afforestation of cities are gaining prominence in the many different areas of knowledge. However, the approaches and methodologies that are following an analytical perspective that by the rule aimed an policy of spatial planning not always responds to the aspirations and needs of the urban population. The research has been consisted of a preliminary survey, collecting data through the representative population of the neighborhoods in Petrópolis and Rocas, which were applied 210 forms (with the households), 130 in the neighborhood of Rocas and 80 in Petrópolis, which corresponds to 5% of the total households of the two districts, using as indicators, among many others, the income, the level of education and the environmental characteristics of the neighborhood. Through analysis sample was possible to verify that Petrópolis neighborhood that, 68% of interviewee believes their lives in the neighborhood where good and only 2% consider bad, in Rocas neighborhood, 57% considered life in his neighborhood good and only 5% consider bad. When asked about the main characteristics that remind the neighborhood Petrópolis, 90% of residents mentioned that one of its main advantages are the means of transport available, followed by 82% who quoted the ventilation as one of the main benefits of the neighborhood. In Rocas neighborhood, items mentioned by residents, were the ventilation with 47% of all interviewee and 32% said that peace is one of the most positive point of the neighborhood. From the description of some of the environmental needs of the neighborhoods Petrópolis and Rocas, it is possible to infer that environmental issues in general, and afforestation are always present in the speech of the residents, even indirect way, it shows that regardless of the education degree or the income, environmental quality is present as one of the basic needs of urban areas with implications both in the personal and social life as of its inhabitants.

Espécies arbóreas nativas ornamentais do Rio Grande do Norte

The Caatinga and Atlantic Forest exhibit great species richness, which can attend requirements for various uses. Considering the current level of degradation of vegetation in Rio Grande do Norte, and the increasing use of exotic species, it is urgent to perform actions for the conservation of these biomes. From this perspective, using native plant species in the urban forestry becomes an instrument for the conservation and enhancement of local biodiversity. In this context, the general objective of this study is to gather and provide information about the ornamental native tree species in the state in order to promote and disseminate their use in urban areas. Specific aims of this work are: (1) evaluate and verify the demand and maintenance costs of native and exotic urban forestry, comparatively, with data obtained in the state (Cap. 1); (2) Provide a ornamental native tree species list in the state, including species already widespread use and suggesting new elements with ornamental potential (Cap. 2); and (3) produce a guide of native tree species as a means of disseminating the results obtained in a way accessible to the society. Analysis of maintenance of urban trees was performed at the UFRN's Central Campus, and the ornamental native tree species survey was carried out through literature survey combined with expeditions to forest fragments in the state. As a result, it was obvious that the maintenance of native vegetation resulted in lower costs and least demand for services highlighting the visible advantage in using a afforestation with regionalized floristic composition. The survey of ornamental native tree species led to the selection of 95 species belonging to 30 families, 17 species (17.35%) occurring exclusively in the Caatinga, 27 species (25.55%) in the Atlantic Forest and more than half (55.10%) occurring in both biomes, which provides a good selection available for the composition of urban forestry, both for cities located in the area of Atlantic Forest (81 spp.) or for those located in the Caatinga (71 spp.). From these results, a guide for the recognition and cultivation of native ornamental trees was prepared, consisting in the initial step in the enhancement of existing floristic potential value with the aim to assist in the development of a regionalized perspective of urban environmental management in the state