Title: The influence of vegetation covers on urban thermal comfort in a Brazilian semiarid region

Authors: Nicole Alves de Oliveira; Stanley Schettino; Deicy Danielle Silva; Luciano José Minette; Rubia Santos Fonseca; Roldão Carlos Andrade Lima

Addresses: Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Agrarian Sciences, Av. Universitária, 1000 – Bairro Universitário, Montes Claros – MG, 39404-547, Brazil ' Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Agrarian Sciences, Av. Universitária, 1000 – Bairro Universitário, Montes Claros – MG, 39404-547, Brazil ' Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Agrarian Sciences, Av. Universitária, 1000 – Bairro Universitário, Montes Claros – MG, 39404-547, Brazil ' Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Mechanical e Production Engineer, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n – Campus Universitário, Viçosa – MG 36570-000, Brazil ' Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Agrarian Sciences, Av. Universitária, 1000 – Bairro Universitário, Montes Claros – MG, 39404-547, Brazil ' School of Agriculture, São Paulo State University – FCA UNESP, Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu – SP, 18.618-687, Brazil

Abstract: We quantified the level of thermal comfort provided by forest cover in a semi-arid region through the heat index (HI) and the temperature and humidity index (THI). The variables were associated with the seasons and the presence or absence of vegetation cover. The results indicated a positive correlation between THI and HI concerning temperature and relative humidity; increasing ambient temperature lead to increases in the values of the indices. Relative air humidity showed a negative correlation with HI, indicating that the decrease in its values, associated with the increase in air temperature, significantly contributes to the worsening of HI. It was then concluded that, in addition to the green areas being significantly cooler, the fact that the species in the region are deciduous does not reduce the effectiveness of improving the thermal comfort provided.

Keywords: urban forests; urban climate; microclimate; quality of life; population health.

DOI: 10.1504/LAJMSD.2023.132347

Latin American Journal of Management for Sustainable Development, 2023 Vol.6 No.1, pp.29 - 44

Received: 05 Sep 2022
Accepted: 09 Feb 2023
Published online: 18 Jul 2023 *

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