In the urban ecosystem of Guayaquil (green areas and street trees) there are 67,505 trees, 31,608 palm trees and 2,785 stumps and stumps. The most abundant species of tree is Mangifera indica (mango) with 6,468 specimens. While the most abundant of palm trees is the areca catchu (which is ornamental). This census, which does not include natural spaces in the city or green areas managed by the central government, is detailed in the Management plan for green spaces for public use and urban trees in the city of Guayaquil.
This study, developed by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), states that Guayaquil’s green spaces have a scarce permeable surface. That is, they have pavements, cobblestones or bricks that do not allow water to filter into the ground, which increases the risk of flooding in the city.
What’s more, Although the high biodiversity stands out, mainly in tree species, it recommends reducing the presence of areca catchu (it is the most abundant with 13,300 specimens), because due to its high presence any specific condition could damage almost half of the palm trees in the city. It is requested to promote the planting of native trees and let them develop abundant crowns.
The planting of palm trees was questioned in the municipal administration of Jaime Nebot. The little contribution to generate shade and the absorption of CO2 was criticized. Currently Mayor Cynthia Viteri has promoted the planting of native trees and this is recognized in the plan. Although it is stated that tree cover should be prioritized over the number of trees as a municipal strategy.
According to the study, if only municipal green areas and street trees are taken into account, the index of green area per inhabitant of Guayaquil is 3.03 square meters. In addition, there would only be slightly more than three trees for every 100 inhabitants. Figures far from international parameters.
“Beyond seeking to green the city, we also seek with the plan to increase the resilience of the city to the heat waves that are already being experienced and to regulate the impacts of climate change. We made an inventory and based on that we worked on a management proposal for green spaces in the city. The plan seeks to enhance the important natural capital that Guayaquil has in order to provide better ecosystem services that have been decreasing in the development of cities.”, says Martha Castillo, chief executive of climate change at CAF.
The tree cover index in the city is 22% and the current area for trees is 19%. Meanwhile, there is 70% of the permeable surface in green areas, so the study suggests changing the pavements in these areas to allow water seepage and thus reduce the risk of flooding. In addition, the care of ecosystems such as the mangrove is established as a priority and the construction of sidewalks with more space for trees and pedestrians.
“The plan seeks to take care of what is there and propose an improvement in both green areas and trees. This helps us regulate the water level when there is a rainy season, they regulate temperatures, help reduce particulates and clean the air,” says Castillo.
The plan also makes clear the need to implement a mechanism that integrates and connects the protected natural spaces and green areas of the canton, since they are currently fragmented. The Guayaquil council has presented the ‘green mesh’ initiative to achieve this goal. This initiative is based on the continuous interconnection of the existing nuclei and nodes, but since they are not found homogeneously throughout the city, CAF proposes the creation of new corridors that allow minimizing the existing fragmentation.
In the plan, CAF also details seven challenges of the management of green spaces that the Municipality of Guayaquil has: make the city resilient to climate change; unite the ecosystems of the canton in the urban environment; integrate the concept of green infrastructure at the municipal level; determine sustainable management standards; adapt communication, education and participation of society; standardize the main aspects of the management plan; and establish control, monitoring and assessment processes for the plan.
Castillo indicates that the plan is available to the council and that CAF can help with its implementation. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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