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The Problem Of Urban Forest

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Urban Forest plays a very important role in restoring the relationship between man and the natural environment ensuring better quality of life. Urban Forests contribute to the retention of air pollution, although this property has been occasionally overrated. The use of trees as form of protection against pollution in polluted environments is a common practice in many developed countries. In 2012, approximately 3,732,500 people died worldwide, consequence of ambient air pollution (WHO, 2014). Several studies have proved the importance and benefits of trees in urban areas: reduction in air pollution through air purification rates, absorptions of particulate matters, reduction of need of energy, through air conditioning and heating, which …show more content…

Therefore, it includes the trees found in streets, avenues, squares, parks, protected areas, public or private areas, and remains of natural or planted ecosystems. Interestingly, the term "Urban Forest" is basically constant throughout the US consulted bibliography (Nowak & O’Connor 2001; Cumming et al., 2007; Nowak et al., 2002). The reason for this conceptual consolidation is most likely the definition chosen for purposes of state planning by United States Census Bureau which express the conservation policy and the planning for development of urban forests in many US cities (Cumming et al 2007).
More than half the world 's population (54%) lives in urban areas and it is projected to grow 1.84% annually between 2015 and 2020 (WHO, 2014). The overcrowded cities are causing a large reduction on the number of green areas increasing air pollution and affecting the quality of life of the population. About 99% of the "clean dry air" we breathe is made up of two gases: 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The remaining 1% includes CO2 (0.03%), inert gases, and a number of other gases such as CO, O3, H2S, SO2, NO2, and other (SOJKA et al 2002), many of which are now considered as pollutants when they are found in high concentrations. Under natural conditions it must also be considered the water vapor present in addition to the so-called particulate matter, which is

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