Dynamics of urban greening in public squares: sustainable planning and the provision of ecosystem services in urban centers

Urban greening in public squares is a vital component of urban green infrastructure, which provides essential ecosystem services that promote human well-being and biodiversity conservation. However, the effectiveness of these benefits is intrinsically linked to technical criteria for species selection, which are frequently neglected in municipal planning. In this context, we evaluated the temporal dynamics of urban greening in public squares in the town of Jataí, Goiás state, Brazil, by comparing floristic parameters and the provision of ecosystem services between two surveys (2010 and 2024). A complete floristic census of 14 public squares was conducted, and species were classified according to origin (native or exotic), provision of edible fruits (edible or inedible), and deciduousness (evergreen, semideciduous, or deciduous). The results showed changes in floristic composition and diversity over time. Although no differences in total abundance were found (range: 1,030–1,274 individuals), a significant increase in species richness (range: 79–121) was observed. Consistently, diversity profiles based on Hill numbers also indicated higher effective numbers of species in 2024 compared to 2010. The most representative families in both years were Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae, and Fabaceae, while the most abundant and frequent species were Syagrus oleracea, Cenostigma pluviosum, and Moquilea tomentosa. In 2010, there was a tendency toward higher density of native trees, but by 2024 this pattern had shifted to an equivalent density of native and exotic trees, while species richness increased significantly for both origins. A similar trend was found for deciduous species, with increases in both parameters, especially richness. In contrast, for individuals with edible fruits, density increased in 2024, while species richness remained stable. The results indicate that, despite positive advances in density and species richness, urban greening management has prioritized exotic and deciduous species to the detriment of ecosystem attributes fundamental to sustainable planning, such as permanent shading and the valuation of the regional flora. The findings highlight a critical gap in technical planning, underscoring the urgent need to integrate ecological criteria into species selection. This shift is essential to ensure the provision of vital ecosystem services and to foster more functional and sustainable urban landscapes.