Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) and Casuarina (Casuarinaceae) in urban parks, an environmental issue

Abstract

In the present paper, a review of scientific publications on the impacts generated by trees of the Casuarina and Eucalyptus genera in urban environments was carried out, evaluating them through indicators such as the frequency of pest invasion, biological capacity to filter contaminants, dynamics of their pollen and roots that directly affect economic and social issues due to their excessive use to create urban green areas. The use of Eucalyptus and Casuarina trees is due to the supposed advantage they offer of a relatively fast growth rate and especially in public projects that require a rapid response; however, they obviously generate an environmental impact, they produce allergies in people sensitive to their pollen, especially Casuarina, as well as damage to urban infrastructure. Concluding that there are economic benefits for its use, but showing a clear deficiency in the policies on its distribution and use, coming to be classified as an invasive species for the country.