Challenges in urban afforestation of the Amazon: exotic species and management / Desafios da arborização urbana na Amazônia: espécies exóticas e gestão

This study was developed to evaluate the relationship among arboreal vegetation, physical structure, and the residents of Tabatinga, AM, Brazil, thus, providing additional information for future afforestation projects. To evaluate the physical structure of tree insertion, a census with the residents of Avenida da Amizade was conducted, in which morphometric data of the trees and dimensions of sidewalks were collected; to assess the relationship with the population, 70 residents of different neighborhoods, age groups, and occupations were interviewed. Results indicated that the population recognizes that there are advantages in having tree-lined streets, but does not know exactly which advantages are these and does not act or feel responsible for the vegetation. The inventory showed that improvements in the parameters evaluated can make the relationship between the population and afforestation more harmonious and pleasant. For the implementation of an afforestation project, it is necessary to consider the tree and physical adaptations, and mainly, to involve the population.