Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Investigations of the urban street tree forest of Mendoza, Argentina

  • Published:
Urban Ecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The investigation of the urban street trees was undertaken in the oasis city Mendoza, Argentina. The analysis included 1,680 urban street trees in their structure (species, age, and spatial structure), vitality and irrigation conditions. A questioning of 120 residents analysed the perception and acceptance of the urban trees by urban dwellers. Different urban structures, residential, commercial and residential mixed structures and the city centre were investigated. The results show clearly the insufficient maintenance of the trees (composition, aging, irrigation, pruning etc.) and damaged irrigation system with leads to a loss of vitality. The questioning showed that easily recognisable problems (insufficient pruning etc.) are more reflected by people than long term problems (irrigation). There is a different reflection of urban street tree problems in the different urban areas, related to status, information level and management. The maintenance and relation to urban street trees was best in the residential area. Not only better maintenance of the trees but also a clearer recognition of street tree problems by residents and by the responsible municipal institutions is urgently needed. A public-private partnership and more environmental education could help to overcome the problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The Urban Trees Sub-Department within the Urban Green Department in the municipality of Mendoza is responsible for the urban tree management (see section 2.2). Their tasks comprise monitoring, evaluating and maintaining the public urban tees. Most of the practical management, like pruning and watering, is outsourced to specific enterprises.

References

  • Alvey AA (2006) Promoting and preserving biodiversity in the urban forest. Urban For Urban Green 5(4):195–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amt für Umwelt und Natur Berlin (2012) Baumschutz, Geschützte Bäume in Berlin, Baumschutz in der Stadt. http://www.berlin.de/ba-tempelhof-schoeneberg/organisationseinheit/natur/baumschutz.html, last visited 2 May 2012

  • Banks JCG, Brack CL (2003) Canberra’s Urban forest: evolution and planning for future landscape. Urban For Urban Green 1(3):151–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breuste J (2008) Conditions and maintenance of street trees and its reflection in the inhabitants mind in the oasis city of Mendoza/Argentina. In: Breuste J (ed) Qualität der stadtlandschaft: indikatoren, planung und perspektiven, Conturec 3. Competence Network Urban Ecology, Darmstadt, pp 93–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Buccolieri R, Gromke C, Silvana S,Ruck B (2009) Aerodynamic effects of trees on pollutant concentration in street canyons. In: Science ofthe Total Environment. Vol. 407/19. September 2009: 5247–5256

  • Carrieri SA (2004) Diagnóstico y propuesta sobre la problemática del arbolado urbano en Mendoza. Cátedra de Espacios Verdes, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Cuyo, Mendoza

  • Chen WY, Jim CY (2005) Assessing the ecosystem service of air pollutant removal by urban trees in Guangzhou (China). In: Journal of Environmental Management. Vol. 88/4. September 2008: 665–676

  • Clayden A, Jorgesen A, Stovin R (2008) Street Trees and Stormwater Management. In: The International Journal of Forestry. Vol. 30/4: 297–310

  • Comunidad de Madrid (2012) Ley de la C.A. de Madrid 8/2005, de 26 de diciembre, de protección y fomento del arboladourbano de la Comunidad de Madrid. http://www.lexureditorial.com/boe/0603/03669.htm. last visited 2 May 2012

  • Dobbertin M (2005) Tree growth as indicator of tree vitality and of tree reaction to environmental stress: a review. Eur J For Res 124(4):319–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan GH, Butry TD (2010) Trees in the city: Valuing street trees in Portland, Oregon. In: Landscape and Urban Planning. Vol. 94/2, February 2010: 77–83

  • Donovan GH, Prestemon (2010) The Effect of Trees on Crime in Portland, Oregon. In: Environment and Behavior. Vol. 44/1, January 2012: 3–30

  • Dwyer JF, Schroeder GHW, Gobster HP (1991) The significance of urban trees and forests: towards a deeper understanding of values. J Arboriculture 18(5):227–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer JF, McPherson G, Schroeder HW, Rowntree RA (1992) Assessing the benefits and costs of the urban forest. J Arboriculture 18(5):227–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Endlicher W (1998) Stadtklima und Lufthygiene argentinischer Andenrandstädte. Tübinger Geographische Studien 119:325–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Gehrig M (2004) Methoden zur Vitalitätsbeurteilung von Bäumen. Vergleichende Untersuchungen mit visuellen, nadelanalytischen und bioelektrischen Verfahren. Diss. ETH Zürich

  • Grieg-Gran M, Porras I, Wunder S (2005) How can market mechanisms for forest environment services help the poor? Preliminary lessons from Latin America. World Dev 33(9):151–1527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hladnik D, Pirnat J (2011) Urban forestry—linking naturalness and amenity: the case of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Urban For Urban Green 10(2):105–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias R et al (1998) Arbolado público de la Ciudad de Mendoza—Una propuesta para su recuperación. Municipalidad de Mendoza, Mendoza

    Google Scholar 

  • Jim CY, Chen WY (2009) Ecosystem services and valuation of urban forests in China. Cities 26(4):187–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson CW, Baker FS, Johnson WS (1990) Urban and community forestry. USDA Forest Service, Ogden

    Google Scholar 

  • Konijnendijk CC (2003) A decade of urban forestry in Europe. Forest Pol Econ 5(2):173–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Konijnendijk CC, Ricard RM, Kenney A, Randrup TB (2006) Defining urban forestry—a comparative perspective of North America and Europe. Urban For Urban Green 4(3–4):93–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Labitzke S, Werne J (2000) Untersuchung zum Umweltbewusstsein und Verhalten der Bevölkerung von Mendoza/Argentinien. Unpublished Report C.R.I.C.Y.T, UFZ Halle‐Leipzig, University Leipzig, Mendoza

  • Little S, Noyes JH (eds) (1971) Trees and forests in an urbanizing environment. USDA Cooperative Extension Service, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovasi GS, Quinn JW, Neckerman KM, Perzanowski MS, Rundle A (2008) Children living in areas with more street trees have lower prevalence of asthma. J Epidemiol Community Health 62:647–649

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer H, Kuppe S, Holst J, Imbery F, Matzarakis A (2009) Human thermal comfort below the canopy of street trees on a typical Central European summer day. Meteorological Institute, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg

    Google Scholar 

  • McPerson EG, Dougherty E (1989) Selecting trees for shade in the Southwest. J Arboriculture 15:35–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministerio de Economía del Gobierno de Mendoza (ed) (2001) Censo de pobulacion de Mendoza 2001. Mendoza

  • Morello J (1958) La provincia fitogeográfica del monte. Opera Lilloana 2:1–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Morello J (1968) Las grandes unidades de vegetación y ambiente del Chaco Argentino. La vegetación de la República Argentina 10, Buenos Aires, Argentina

  • Municipalidad de la Capital, Mendoza (ed) (2000) Diario Los Andes. Mendoza

  • Needell JD (1995) Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires: public spaces and public consciousness. Fin-de-siècle Latin America. Comp Stud Soc Hist 37:519–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nowak D (2006) Institutionalizing urban forestry as a “biotechnology” to improve environmental quality. Urban For Urban Green 5(2):93–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JF (1984) Neighborhoods as stands in the urban forest. Urban Ecol 8(3):229–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pauleit S, Jones N, Garcia-Martin G, Carcia Valdecantos JL, Riviére LM, Vidal-Beaudet L, Bodson M, Randrup TB (2002) Tree establishment practice in towns and cities—results from a European survey. Urban For Urban Green 1(2):83–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillmann W, Schmied (2003) Tree protection legislation in European cities. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 2003(2):115–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Poland T, McCullough M, Deborah G (2006) Emerald Ash Borer: invasion of the urban forest and the threat to North America’s Ash resource. J For 104(3):118–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Price C (2003) Quantifying the aesthetic benefits of urban forestry. Urban For Urban Green 1(3):123–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reethof G, McDaniel OH (1978) Acoustics and the urban forest. In: Hopkins G (ed) Proceedings of the National Urban Forestry Conference. USDA Forest Service, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, N.Y., pp 321–329

  • Rich S (1971) Effects of trees and forests in reducing air pollution. In: Little S, Noyes J.H. (eds) Trees and Forests in an Urbanizing Environment. USDA Cooperative Extension Service, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, pp 29–34

  • Rowntree RA, Nowak DJ (1991) Quantifying the role of urban forests in removing atmospheric carbon dioxide. J Arbor 17:269–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Rydberg D, Falck J (2000) Urban forestry in Sweden from a siliviculture perspective: a review. Landsc Urban Plann 47(1–2):1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders RA (1984) Some determinates of urban forest structure. Urban Ecol 8(1–2):13–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder HW (1989) Environment, behavior, and design research on urban forests. In: Zube EH, Moore GT (eds) Advances in environment, behavior and design. Plenum, New York, pp 87–107

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder HW (1991) Social values of urban trees. In: Intern. Soc. of Arboriculture, Research Trust (ed.) A National Research Agenda for Urban Forestry in the 1990’s, Urbana, IL, pp 33–36

  • Shashua-Bar L, Potcher O, Bitan A, Boltansky D, Yaakov Y (2009) Microclimate modelling of street tree species effects within the varied urban morphology in the Mediterranean city of Tel Aviv, Israel. In: International Journal of Climatology. Vol. 30/1. January 2010: 44–57

  • Smardon RC (1988) Perception and aesthetics of the urban environment: review of the role of vegetation. Landsc Urban Plann 15:85–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soares AL, Rego FC, McPherson EG, Simpson JR, Peper PJ, Xiao Q (2011) Benefits and costs of street trees in Lisbon, Portugal. In: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. Vol. 10/2. January 2011: 69–78

  • Sociedade dos Amigos do Parque Nacional da Tijuca (ed) (2004) Trilhas. Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

    Google Scholar 

  • Sosa G (1960) Árboles cultivados en las calles de la ciudad de Mendoza y alrededores. Sus principales plagas y medios para su control. Gobierno de Mendoza, Mendoza, unpublished report

  • Stadt Bern (1997) Baumschutzreglement der Stadt Bern. http://www.baumpflege-schweiz.ch/pdf/pdf_rechtliches/be_baumschutz1.pdf. Last visited 2 May 2012

  • Stadt Wien, Presse- und Informationsdienst (Magistratsabteilung 53) (1973) Gesetz zum Schutze des Baumbestandes in Wien (Wiener Baumschutzgesetz). http://www.wien.gv.at/recht/landesrecht-wien/rechtsvorschriften/html/l5400000.htm, last visited 2 May 2012

  • Strasser (Cespedes) G (2005) Zustand und Akzeptanz des Straßenbaumbestandes von Capital Mendoza, Argentinien. Master Thesis, Salzburg University

  • Tsiros IX (2009) Assessment and energy implications of street air temperature cooling by shadetress [sic!] in Athens (Greece) under extremely hot weather conditions. In RenewableEngery. Vol. 35/8. August 2010: 1866–1869

  • Tyrväinen L (1997) The amenity value of the urban forest: an application of the hedonic pricing method. Landsc Urban Plann 37(34):21–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyrväinen L, Miettinen A (2000) Property prices and urban forest amenities. J Environ Econ Manag 39(2):205–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyrväinen L, Silvennoinen H, Kolehmainen O (2003) Ecological and aesthetic values in urban forest management. Urban For Urban Green 1(3):135–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welch JM (1994) Street and park trees of Boston: a comparison of urban forest structure. Landsc Urban Plann 29(2–3):131–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Zhang X, Li L, Zhang Z (2007) Urban forest in Jinan City: distribution, classification and ecological significance. Catena 69(1):44–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zipperer WC, Sisinni SM, Pouyat R (1997) Urban tree cover: an ecological perspective. Urban Ecosyst 1(4):229–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author thanks the Laboratorio de Ambiente Humano y Vivienda (L.A.H.V.) in the Centro Regional de Investigationes Cientificas y Tecnológiacas (CRYCIT) in Mendoza for long-term support and cooperation during the investigation, especially Dr. de Rosa, Mrs. Cantón, Mrs. Ing. Claudia F. Martinez, and Mr. Leandro Ferrón. An important part of the practical data collections were very much supported by Mrs. Gunda Strasser (Cespedes), diploma student of Salzburg University, who married a Mendozan after finishing her project work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Geology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, Salzburg, 5020, Austria

    Jürgen H. Breuste

Authors
  1. Jürgen H. Breuste
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jürgen H. Breuste.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Breuste, J.H. Investigations of the urban street tree forest of Mendoza, Argentina. Urban Ecosyst 16, 801–818 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-012-0255-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-012-0255-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation