Inventory of tree species in the Libertad Urban Center, San Salvador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66778/RA.a10n29.03Keywords:
Native trees, introduced trees, predominant tree speciesAbstract
The study aimed to inventory the urban trees in the Libertad Urban Center Sector in San Salvador, in order to determine their floristic composition, structure, and the ecosystem services they provide, using the I-Tree Eco
tool. The fieldwork was carried out between August and November 2022 in an area of 8.45 hectares, recording all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) equal to or greater than 5 cm. A total of 1,012 individuals belonging to 34 families, 56 genera, and 63 species were identified, of which 52 % are introduced and 48 % are native. Trees account for 84 %, palm trees for 10 %, and shrubs for 6 %. The most representative families were Arecaceae, Anacardiaceae, Bignoniaceae, Myrtaceae, and Fabaceae. The dominant species were Dypsis lutescens (Egyptian
palm, 12.2 %), Mangifera indica (mango, 9.4 %), and Tabebuia rosea (maquilishuat, 7.3 %). The average density was 122 trees per hectare, concentrated mainly in Pasaje Santander, El Pañuelo Park, and ANDA.
Nearly 80 % of the individuals have diameters between 7.6 and 45.7 cm, indicating a growing population. The results provide guidance for management, replacement, and sustainable urban planning strategies in San Salvador.
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