CO₂ SEQUESTRATION AND O₂ PRODUCTION IN URBAN PARKS: THE CASE OF AN INTRODUCED SPECIES IN TROPICAL SOUTH AMERICA

Urban parks make up the most significant proportion of green areas in cities and significantly help to mitigate climate change and improve the physical and mental well-being of the city inhabitants. In Latin America, one of the predominant species within the vegetation in these parks is Ficus benjamina (F. benjamina). However, this species has a questionable history due to the damage it produces to public infrastructures and its invasive non-native origin has biased its potential to provide ecosystem services. This study quantifies the capacity F. benjamina has for storing carbon (C) and producing oxygen (O₂ ) in seven parks of one of the most affected districts of Lima, the Peruvian capital. The average C captured ranged from 2.31 ± 0.27 to 8.19 ± 1.88 t C ha-¹, ranging from 8.48 ± 0.99 to 30.04 ± 6.91 t CO₂ ha^-1 and producing between 6.17 ± 0.72 and 21.85 ± 5.01 t O₂ ha^-1. These results show the benefits of these species in urban areas and should be considered for conserving these trees. Further research on ornamental plants, management policies implementation based on an ecological approach and good arboricultural practices will guarantee urban center purification in this global context.