Native trees provide more benefits than exotic trees when ecosystem services are weighted in Santiago, Chile

Abstract

Urban forests are conformed by a variable representation of native and exotic species. Because these species differ in the morpho-functional traits that possess, they may have a differential participation in the provision of ecosystem services in cities. Here, we compare ecosystem services inferred from morpho-functional traits of native and exotic tree species present in Santiago, Chile. Five traits associated with ecosystem services valuation (Vi) were scored (1 versus 0), and compared between native and exotic tree species, weighting those ecosystem services according to multi-criteria decision analysis procedure (MCDA). We found that native and exotic species did not have significant differences in the ecosystem services provided to urban dwellers (F = 1.2; P > 0.05); but these results were obtained when ecosystem services were not weighted according to their demand in Santiago. When weights were pondered, native species provided more ecosystem services than did exotic trees (F = 7.1; P < 0.008). Complementarily, we also found that the ecosystem services ranked for native and exotic species did not correlate with their spatial distribution (occupancy, Oi). These results highlight the need to use criteria based on ecosystem services to tree planting in Santiago, prioritizing native species because, in comparison to exotic ones, they provide more ecosystem services demanded city dwellers.

Trees and sidewalks: toward an infrastructure protection approach

“…each species obtained represents an alternative, and each characteristic represents a decision criterion. To begin, we reviewed the species proposed in the UFHB and selected 18 of native origin, following the recommendation of Arcos-LeBert et al (2021). Subsequently, we evaluated each species based on the chosen criteria, as outlined in Table 4.…”

“…Additionally, in general, developed methodologies are used to select species based on a few indicators of environmental or financial order, overlooking other relevant selection criteria, including ecosystem disservices. Finally, there are few studies that focus on the selection of native species as recommended by Arcos-LeBert et al (2021) and provide specific recommendations for urban design.…”

Efeitos da mudança do uso do solo sobre o microclima no Parque Las Barrancas, Tarija, Bolívia

“…Segundo Barbosa et al (2020), por meio dos recursos naturais se garante a suficiente presença de oxigênio na atmosfera e isso contribui para amenizar os efeitos do clima. O aproveitamento das espécies nativas deverá ser priorizado em seu uso em serviços ecossistêmicos (Arcos et al, 2021). Nessa etapa é necessária a compreensão do desempenho do solo com as variáveis clima e vegetação.…”

Diverging conditions of current and potential future urban forest patches

“…Native‐dominated forests are the target of most urban forest management programs (Pregitzer et al, 2021) based on their capacity to support greater biodiversity (Alvey, 2006) and select ecosystem services (Arcos‐LeBert et al, 2021). Meeting management objectives for native‐dominated forest types will depend, in large part, on the presence and abundance of native tree seedlings in the understory (i.e., “future canopy”), but regeneration patterns in urban areas are not well‐understood.…”