Albizia procera IN THE CITY

Abstract

This study addresses the growth and ecological importance of Albizia procera, a nonnative tree species, in urban environments. Four-year-old trees of this species grew in height at a rate of 2.2 m/yr (suppressed trees) to 4.4 to 5.7 m/yr (dominant trees) and exhibited a mean basal area of 45.01 to 93.62 cm2/tree after 2 and 4 years of age, respectively. At two years of age trees formed a stand with a density of 5,755 trees/ha and a basal area of 27.2 m2/ha. At four years of age the tree density was 5,373 trees/ha, and the basal area increased to 54.3 m2/ha. These high growth rates were attained on a site that had been bulldozed, and after four years, both native and nonnative plant species entered the stand. A literature review revealed that A. procera grows faster in height in the city than it does in monoculture plantations of similar age. Moreover, the species attains its highest abundance in the urban environment, where it acts as a carbon sink and sequesters other chemical elements. Within the city, A. procera colonizes abandoned lots and bulldozed areas by roads and highways. By doing so, it provides multiple ecological services in locations where these services are least expected.

Citation

Lugo, A.; Vicénz López, C.; Restituyo, J. 2023. Albizia procera in the city. Acta Científica. 34(1): 28-34.