A pesquisa objetivou avaliar a qualidade da água da Bacia Urbana do Arroio Preto, Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, aplicando o Índice de Qualidade da Água (IQA) adaptado para sistemas lóticos sul brasileiros, em três pontos de amostragem ao longo do Arroio, Ponto 1, trecho superior; Ponto 2, trecho intermediário; e Ponto 3 próximo à foz. Foram realizadas 19 campanhas entre 2007 e 2016, medindo: temperatura, pH, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, nitrato, nitrito, nitrogênio amoniacal total, fosfato, sólidos totais dissolvidos e coliformes termotolerantes. Os resultados indicaram que houve uma significativa diminuição da qualidade da água (p

PurposeUrbanization is characterized mainly by changes in land use and conversion of natural areas into built environments, as well as by a series of impacts, such as loss of biodiversity, which interfere with the proper functioning of ecological networks.Design/methodology/approachThus, the authors apply a bibliometric analysis using the term “Urban Trees” in the “Web of Science” database, between 2009 and 2019, as a keyword to include all urban green structures and identify the main aspects of urban ecological relationships. They found 8,367 published articles.FindingsThis review identified the main countries and research institutions that operate in urban afforestation. In general, developing countries seek to understand the environmental benefits that urban afforestation can provide, demonstrating the importance of maintaining existing green areas in urban centers to promote the balance of the ecosystem. It depends directly on the flow of ecosystem services provided by green infrastructures in the city, contributing significantly to carbon sequestration, retention of particulate matter, mitigation of heat islands and reduction of surface runoff, directly favoring the health and well-being of the population. The authors conclude that the actions currently implemented in urban afforestation, especially to increase the richness and abundance of species, will be decisive for the future of urban centers and the construction of more sustainable and egalitarian cities.Originality/valueThis work sought to develop a bibliographic research based on information obtained by bibliometric analysis that has the ability to identify trends and volumes of scientific production in a given area of knowledge.