Conforto térmico e estimativa da captura do carbono pela vegetação em diferentes áreas da Cidade de Catolé do Rocha - PB.

Abstract

Considered the greenest city in the Sertão of Paraíba, the city of Catolé do Rocha has a vegetation cover that offers numerous benefits for the microclimatic improvement and thermal comfort for the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the climatic difference between green and non-wooded streets and green areas of the city of Catolé do Rocha-PB, by estimating the Temperature and Humidity Index (ITU), the Heat Index (CI), and biomass and carbon capture by the most representative trees. In the thermal comfort evaluation, the sample areas were selected: Wooded streets (3), Streets without afforestation (3) and Green areas (3 main squares). The thermal comfort in the selected areas was estimated through the ITU indices and the CI, where the variables air temperature (ºC) and relative air humidity (%) were collected. The perception of the population regarding the level of thermal comfort, provided by the presence and / or absence of afforestation in the streets and green areas, was evaluated through semi-structured interviews with passersby and / or residents. Plant biomass and carbon capture were estimated in selected individuals in the inventory database, with the highest occurrence and representative species being chosen. The carbon of living tree biomass was calculated using allometric equation and carbon content by the direct method of analysis of leaves, thin branches and stem using the carbon analyzer. José Sérgio Maia Square was the most prominent in biomass production and carbon capture, with values of 138.25 t ha-1 and 62.21 t ha-1 of vegetal carbon, respectively. It is concluded that the high heat index (CI), registered in the wooded and non-wooded environments, which leads to the levels of extreme caution and caution, indicates that the afforestation in the streets and squares of Catolé do Rocha is still insufficient to make these thermally pleasant and healthy environments to the population.