Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Hedgerows in Urban Areas

Abstract

The research aimed to analyze the maintenance, composition, pruning, planting aspects and architectural elements on urban hedgerows. This study was carried out in an area of Imbiribeira, Recife, PE, Brazil, during six months. The survey was conducted in an area of 30 city blocks (37.024 hectares). The application of the questionnaire was directed to people residing, working, or owning real estate that contained hedgerows. Maintenance (person with the responsibility of pruning and maintenance of the hedge and types of maintenance performed on the hedges); Plant species aspects (species used were classified into groups of plant species: arboreal, shrub, herbaceous and climbing plants); Composition (homogeneous or heterogeneous); Pruning (maintenance or topiary); Planting aspects (planting alignment, spacing rhythm and dimensions of the hedge). In the study area, 30 blocks were sampled, where the presence of hedgerows was observed in 18 of them. The people responsible for the maintenance and management of hedgerows were mostly non-professional workers. The practice of watering hedgerows was found in 95.24% of the visited properties. The use fertilizer was found in 28.57% of the cases and only 4.76% of the properties use pesticide products due to phytosanitary problems. Most of the hedgerows had a homogeneous composition. Topiary pruning is the most practiced treatment on the hedgerows, with a frequency of 82.28% in the study area. The quincux planting with no definite spacing rhythm was the most found. The most observed Planting Alignment in the study area was in line. The most observed Spacing Rhythm was the one with no rhythm of planting. Although hedgerows are widely used in urban and rural areas, studies on their maintenance, composition, structure, ecological importance and relevance to biodiversity conservation are scarce.