A INFLUÊNCIA DAS ÁREAS VERDES URBANAS NA PRESTAÇÃO DO SERVIÇO ECOSSISTÊMICO DE REGULAÇÃO MICROCLIMÁTICA NA CIDADE DE SANTA RITA – PARAÍBA

Abstract

In various parts of the world, cities are facing increasingly serious challenges due to the worsening climate crisis, resulting from excessive consumption of natural resources and the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. Green areas play a fundamental role in mitigating this crisis by providing significant contributions to the environment, such as the regulation of urban microclimates. Thus, the present research focuses on the city of Santa Rita, located in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa/PB, and aims to assess the influence of urban green areas, specifically public squares, on the provision of the ecosystem service of microclimatic regulation. To achieve the proposed objective, the initial step was a literature review, followed by the selection of two sample squares with distinct conditions of use, occupation, and conservation for comparison purposes. For the regulation service, monitoring of temperature and relative humidity conditions was conducted during the transition period between dry and rainy seasons, determining the variation of the Thermal Discomfort Index (TDI) for each square. Additionally, to support the TDI data, the environmental and thermal perception of visitors and passersby in the monitored locations was assessed through questionnaires. According to the results, it was possible to observe the effect of vegetation on cooling during the morning period compared to the afternoon/night period, showing a temperature difference of 6.8°C between the squares at 9 a.m. Regarding the TDI, even the tree-lined square did not present a comfortable classification in any of the periods, possibly due to the influence of surrounding areas. Finally, it is evident that, overall, the results of the population's perception indicate that user evaluation does not always coincide with TDI values. In conclusion, the microclimatic regulation service was more evident during the morning period. It is also worth noting that urban morphology directly influences the obstruction of wind flows and, consequently, the monitored variables, compromising thermal comfort.