The use of the exotic species Weeping Ficus and Neem in urban afforestation in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, in Brazilian northeastern cities, it has been observed that the number of Ficus benjamina Linn. (Weeping Fig) trees used in urban afforestation has gradually decreased to the detriment of a new exotic species considered invasive, Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem). The objective of this work was to evaluate these hypotheses through a systematic literature review of scientific articles published between 2002 and 2023. The excessive use of exotic species in urban afforestation was observed in almost all Northeastern states, characterizing a regional problem. However, the high frequency of two specific species, Weeping Fig and Neem, in the last 10 years, became an even more serious problem as makes the Northeast urban landscape monotone. By comparing the frequency of use of these two species in municipalities of northeastern states, it was possible to confirm the possibility of changing habits. Since approximately 2015, the predominance of Neem has been gradually increasing while of Weeping Fig is flowing. Studies of this nature are important to assist decision makers in choose the most appropriate planning of urban afforestation considering the specificities of each region.