Functional trees: development-oriented management

• Grant number: 23/10115-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research in Public Policies
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany
• Principal Investigator: Plínio Barbosa de Camargo
• Grantee: Plínio Barbosa de Camargo
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Giuliano Maselli Locosselli ; Lucas William Mendes ; Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/23208-0 - Assessment of ecosystem services and resilience for urban tree species in the city of São Paulo, BP.PD

Abstract

São Paulo stands as one of the world's largest megacities, boasting a population exceeding 12 million inhabitants. However, the city's haphazard growth in recent decades has led to significant social, economic, and environmental challenges, rendering it particularly susceptible to the impacts of global climate change. Urban forestry emerges as a key factor in enhancing cities' resilience to climate change due to the direct and indirect benefits it offers in terms of adaptation and mitigation. Trees, through their ability to provide ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and promoting thermal comfort, play a vital role in this regard. Nevertheless, afforestation itself is susceptible to the effects of global climate change, which can disrupt the provision of services and increase the risk of disservices, such as tree fall. The Municipal Plan for Urban Tree Planting in the City of São Paulo (PMAU) addresses these three pillars of urban tree planting and is considered an ongoing policy (PEX) designed to facilitate efficient planning and management of trees within the city. This project aims to investigate and implement the actions outlined in the PMAU through collaborative efforts between Public Management and Academia within a co-creation environment. The evidence generated by this project will support decision-making and planning at the level of tree species, a crucial aspect emphasized in the science and technology-focused Actions of the PMAU. To accomplish this, an extensive database analysis, coupled with monitoring, modeling, and evaluation, will be utilized. A secondary database, along with primary data obtained through eco-physiological monitoring of eight commonly planted native species in the city, will be employed to develop growth curves for tree species related to I) ecosystem services, II) climate resilience, and III) disservices. The project aims to leverage scientific knowledge to enhance the planning and management of urban forestry by the technical staff of the Green and Environment Department of the municipality of São Paulo (SVMA). The ultimate objective is to optimize tree planting efforts, making them more efficient and safer for the city's population. Since this project aligns with the actions outlined in the PMAU, some of which are priorities for the plan's revision in 2025, the knowledge generated will be incorporated into the new plan. This updated plan will serve as a guiding framework for achieving institutional objectives. The SVMA assumes responsibility for defining and revising the PMAU, mitigating the risks associated with implementing new knowledge within public management. Furthermore, the integration of this knowledge and guidelines into the core activities of the SVMA will be supported by courses and events scheduled as part of this project. (AU)