Phytosociology and diversity of arboreal species on squares in the central region of Gurupi, Tocantins state, Brazil

Abstract

When squares show phytogeographical diversity and are well distributed within cities, they form a system of green areas, and their attributes promote thermal comfort, acoustic buffering and visual attractiveness. In this context, this study evaluated the floristic composition and diversity of tree species on central squares of the city of Gurupi, Tocantins State, Brazil (11º43'45" South latitude and 49°04'07" West longitude). The study was conducted between March and December in 2009. We identified 261 trees of 33 species and 15 families on the three squares studied, being 12 species native to cerrado (Brazilian savannah) with 24 trees, and 12 species exotic to the region studied, with 237 trees. We observed that species with larger numbers of individuals are exotic to the region (Caesalpinia peltophoroides and Licania tomentosa), the predominance of few species contributed to the reduction of diversity, and that the use of more species, preferably native the region, to replace the exotic species is an alternative to increase species diversity.