Dynamics of land use and green index in Poza Rica, Veracruz

Abstract

The dynamics of land and vegetation use in Poza Rica, Veracruz, from 1997 to 2016 were analyzed and related to the perception that the inhabitants of the city have regarding the ecosystem services provided by green areas (GA). Thus, the GAs were georeferenced and by means of cluster sampling, the number of trees in the city was estimated, which allowed the construction of an Urban Green Index (UGI). Additionally, 100 residents of different paid activities were surveyed: academics (25), housewives (21), merchants (37) and industrialists (17). Results indicate that the urban sprawl increased by 98 %, from 1 587 ha in 1997 to 3 145 ha in 2016, the areas that were reconverted were mostly areas agriculture and livestock. This fact directly impacts the UGI, which turned out to be 12.21830 m² per cápita and 0.13527 trees per inhabitant, with negative annual average growth rates for both UGI: -0.83 and -0.01, respectively. All respondents recognize the importance of green areas in the city, although only 52 % know their positive effects on the regulation of temperature, hydrological cycle and air quality Scholars, housewives and merchants showed greater interest in preserving and increasing GA in the city. Environmental education stood out as a priority axis to ensure that citizens respect the GA, and eventually increase their number.