Environmental quality contributes to the physical and mental well-being of the population. In this way, the green areas (GA) of the cities are essential spaces for coexistence, sports, socialization, recreation, among others. The objective of this research was to determine the environmental conditions of green areas, using indicators as tool for urban management in two cities of Costa Rica. The study area corresponded to the districts of Heredia and Carmen, Costa Rica. The existing GA were determined using Rapid Eye satellite images, 2 012 through spatial analysis and remote sensing. Eleven indicators of urban green areas were applied, the species was identified, the height, the diameter at breast height (DBH) and the number of trees in parks and streets were measured. In addition, surveys were conducted to users of public GA, on issues related to accessibility and use of GA. Five types of GA were identified in Carmen and six were located in Heredia. The percentage of public and private green areas corresponded to 36 % and 64 % in Carmen and 13 % and 87 % in Heredia respectively. The green area per capita (m2 / hab) was 24.6 in Carmen and 2.7 in Heredia. Sixty-two species of trees were identified in the Carmen parks and 23 in Heredia. There were 1 105 trees of 61 species in the streets, sidewalks and avenues of Carmen and 278 individuals of 47 species in Heredia. Regarding the existence of riparian vegetation, it was determined that the Pirro, Burrio, Torres and Negritos streams maintain 82 %, 51 %, 81 % and 14 % of the area of protection of their margins in conforming use. 11 of the public GA’s were evaluated, nine presented a high physical accessibility. In both districts, the surveyed citizens indicated the necessity to have more GA, highlighting the recreational, ecological and touristic value of these spaces. It is concluded that the indicators of urban green areas showed that there are differences between the environmental conditions in both of the evaluated cities. In addition, the applicability of the indicators is feasible as an input for the sustainable environmental management of urban ecosystems.

This article presents a landscape and biological characterization of urban green areas (UGA) of the Bermudez River micro-basin located in the province of Heredia, Costa Rica. This characterization is based on a classification according to criteria for the use of these green spaces, where landscape attributes such as quantity, average size, total area and condition of land cover are described; and biological attributes such as richness of species, genera and families, percentages of exotic and native species are identified by UGA category. Geospatial data was used in the case of the landscape component, obtained from municipalities, as well as photointerpretation and generation of own cartography. For assessing the biological component, field samplings, consultation with experts, and secondary sources through an exhaustive review of scientific literature and of online databases was employed. The results show that 8.95% (664.68 ha) of the total UGAs present in the micro-basin is dedicated to biodiversity conservation, protection of water resources and recreation, while private UGAs destined to crops and pastures almost quadruple the former (31.33%; 2,325.81 ha). 1,029 species of trees, shrubs, herbs, climbing plants, etc. were identified, with gardens and streets contributing the most species. Vertebrate fauna is dominated by birds, followed by reptiles, amphibians and finally mammals. In conclusion, the UGAs present in the study area show significant landscape and biological differences in terms of quantity, size, spatial distribution, floristic and fauna richness, and UGAs form a green web that provides ecosystem services to the city.

Este artículo presenta una caracterización paisajística y biológica de las áreas verdes urbanas (AVU) de la microcuenca del río Bermúdez, provincia de Heredia, Costa Rica. Esta caracterización se basa en una clasificación según criterios de uso de estos espacios verdes, donde se describen atributos paisajísticos como cantidad, tamaño promedio, área total y condición de cobertura de la tierra; y atributos biológicos como riqueza de especies, géneros y familias, porcentajes de especies exóticas y nativas por categoría de AVU. Se utilizaron datos geoespaciales en el caso del componente paisajístico, provenientes de los municipios, así como fotointerpretación y generación de cartografía propia, y, para el componente biológico, muestreos de campo y consultas a expertos, fuentes se cundarias mediante una revisión exhaustiva de literatura científica y de las bases de datos en línea.  Los resultados muestran que existe 8.95% (664.68 ha) del área total de la microcuenca dedicada a las AVU de conservación de la biodiversidad, de protección del recurso hídrico y de recreación, mientras que la categoría AVU privadas dedicadas a cultivos y pasturas casi cuadriplica las primeras (31.33%; 2 325.81 ha). Se identificó 1 029 especies de árboles, arbustos, hierbas, trepadora, etc., siendo los jardines y calles los que aportan más especies. La fauna de vertebrados está dominada por las aves, seguida por reptiles, anfibios y por último los mamíferos. En conclusión, las AVU del área de estudio muestran diferencias paisajísticas y biológicas importantes en cuanto a cantidad, tamaño, distribución espacial, riqueza florística y faunística, y que en su conjunto forman una trama verde que aporta servicios ecosistémicos a la ciudad.