ABSTRACT - PROSPECTS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF SUBURBAN GREEN SPACES IN LAGES, SC.

Abstract

The degradation and loss of suburban green areas have altered the biological processes and diminished life quality in urban centers. Aiming to evaluate the degradation level in these areas and propose strategies for their conservation, floristic and phytosociological surveys were carried out. Six green areas were sampled, where 10 x 50 m (500m2) parcels were allocated. The height and circumference related to the chest height of all individuals with circumference at breast height (CBH) 15 cm was assessed. The species were collected for identification and destined for the LUSC – UDESC Herbarium. 86 species were sampled, grouped in 60 genres and 34 families. Among the six fragments analyzed, four presented structural characteristics viable for the native species conservation. The ecological value index showed that several species are commonly found, nonetheless, many others can be considered rare. The larger fragments showed the higher values, however, the higher indices were found in the areas II and IV, showing that smaller fragments also bear a certain value. The most vulnerable areas are the ones that have the longest distances between fragments and the higher number of individuals represented in one or two samples, it is concluded that the fragment size and isolation or connectivity influences over the species value. This way, a network of ecological corridors that provides biological flow for the green suburban areas studied here is proposed.