EVALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT OF URBAN GREEN AREAS: PROMOTING HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Abstract

Abstract Green areas and ecosystem services are emerging issues in the management of public areas with a view to promoting healthy and sustainable cities. The aim of this study is to establish and test an Index of Ecosystem Services for Green Areas (Índice de Serviços Ecossistêmicos para Áreas Verdes - ISEAV) to evaluate ecosystem services in urban parks as a technical subsidy for the management of urban green areas. The composition of the Index was based on quantitative indicators selected from a bibliographic review. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the Index, two parks of São Paulo city were selected - Buenos Aires Park and José Emérito Brás Park - and also primary and secondary data were used. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposition and application of this Index in two parks of São Paulo, where it was possible to obtain a diversified range of ecosystem services considered relevant for the health of the population.

Keywords

• Urban Green Areas
• Environmental Indicators
• Ecosystem Services
• Environmental Services
• Urban Parks