Usage and Characterization of Plant Species in the Composition of Urban Hedgerowsin Brazil

The aim of the study was to conduct a qualitative and quantitative survey of hedgerows in a study area in the Imbiribeira neighborhood, Recife-PE, Brazil. After the delimitation of the study area, the number of properties with hedgerows was registered. The application of the questionnaire was directed to people residing, working or owning real estate that contained hedgerows with the following functions: embellishment, privacy, delimitation and coating. The number of blocks sampled, blocks with hedgerows, sampled hedgerows, hedgerows by block, properties with hedgerows, hedgerows by property and private companies and residences with hedgerows were noted. The interviewee was questioned about reasons for implantation and difficulties faced, presence of animals, reasons of plant selection, composition of plant species and phytosanitary conditions. In the study area 30 blocks were sampled, the presence of hedgerows was observed in 18 of them. Of these 18 blocks 73 hedgerows were surveyed, with an average of 2.43 hedgerows per block. The presence of hedgerows in 27 properties was verified. Landscape beautification is one of the main reasons for implantation and maintenance of the hedgerows. Of those interviewed, 30.77% stated that the work required for implantation and maintenance was a negative aspect of planting hedgerows. The presence of arthropods was verified in all studied hedgerows. General aesthetics was the reason most interviewees chose their particular plant species. Seventeen plant species and 11 families were observed. The species Ixora coccinea L. var. compacta Hort. was the most commonly found species. Hedgerows for the purpose of embellishment represent 83.56% of the hedges found. The phytosanitary status and the presence of flaws in the hedgerows in the study area presented a certain relation. Although hedgerows are widely used in urban and rural areas, studies on their composition, structure, ecological importance and relevance to biodiversity conservation are scarce.