A check list of plant species in the urban forestry of Fortaleza, Brazil: where are the native species in the country of megadiversity?

摘要: Although Brazil is recognized as a country of megadiversity many Brazilian cities have an overwhelming number exotic street trees in their urban environments. Here we investigate this situation the city Fortaleza, Brazil’s fifth largest city. Through extensive qualitative survey, complemented by published quantitative surveys, developed most complete inventory done to date Fortaleza. We registered possible plant species which could record public treescape recorded 219 tree species, 158 were Fortaleza’s ecosystems. Of 61 native some represented only relictual individuals spared during growth and 39 cultivated plants. Most these natives are small city, while common species. show that plants potentially suitable for ornamental use settings being ignored argue exotics overvalued, including invasive. also discuss consequences predominance alien perception biodiversity. advocate increasing has advantages from ecological perspective.