PROPOSAL FOR A SYSTEM OF TREES FALL POTENTIAL RISK ASSESSMENT IN URBAN PARKS1

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to create a system to assess the potential tree fall risk (SARPQA) and to assess all the trees in the Museum Paraense Emílio Goeldi Zoo (PZB/MPEG) and in the Rodrigues Alves Park/Botanical Garden of Amazônia (BRA/JBA). We analyzed aspects, such as diameter at breast height (DBH), tree total heigh, surface biomass, apparent phytosanitary, stem inclination, canopy balance and presence of lianas. We assessed 1074 trees (DBH e” 20 cm) distributed in 229 species and 40 families. The average stem height, the total height and diameter at breast height were 10.9 m, 18.7 m and 41.9 cm respectively. The SARPQA showed that 23 trees had very high risk of fall, 142 had high risk, 750 individuals had medium and low risk and 159 had very low risk. Both parks have hundreds of large trees, which associated with the amount of people using these spaces, can increase the risk of accidents by tree fall. Trees with high risk of fall need immediate attention because they present risks to human life and/or property. The system proposed in this study proved to be practical and can be an effective tool for decision makers in the management of urban parks.