Growth responses to climatic variables of red pine (Pinus resinosa Aiton) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) were studied at the Morgan Arboretum, near Montreal, in southern Quebec, Canada (45$ sp circ$ 25$ sp prime$ N, 73$ sp circ$ 57$ sp prime$ W; 15.2 m above sea level). The relationships between climatic variables and basal area growth were examined using linear and quadratic models. Current and previous year's climatic variables were tested separately and in combination using multiple regression models. The best models explained 82% and 85% of the total variance of the growth of Norway spruce and red pine, respectively. The growth of both species was more associated with evapotranspiration than precipitation. The growth of Norway spruce was best explained by the current year's annual evapotranspiration (43%), while the growth of red pine was more related to previous year's August evapotranspiration (33%) at our site. / The JABOWA model was used to predict tree growth in hypothetical climates which could result from global climate changes. Based on literature, five treatments were applied: normal, and increases of 1, 3, 5, and 10$ sp circ$C. Comparison between the last (1983-1992) and next (1993-2002) ten years growth showed no significant differences between species when temperature was normal or increased by 1 and 3$ sp circ$C, but significant differences between species were observed when the temperature was increased by 5$ sp circ$C. Both species declined when the temperature was increased by 10$ sp circ$C. We concluded that Norway spruce is more sensitive to increases in atmospheric temperatures than red pine at our site.

Global climate change is a naturally occurring phenomenon, influencing weather and climate patterns. However, the greatest cause for concern at present is the rate at which climate change is currently occurring. Natural shifts in climate take place over a period of many thousands of years, not in a matter of decades, which is what is occurring at present. In South Africa, climate change is projected to have different regional effects, which in turn could impact on the components of the terrestrial hydrological system, such as land use. The alteration of the catchment upstream of the estuaries could affect the quantity and quality of streamflows entering estuaries. This could impact negatively upon estuaries, thereby reducing the considerable biodiversity in estuaries and the ecosystems goods and services provided by estuaries which would reduce the significant revenue provided by these systems. The research undertaken in this project investigates the possible effects of climate change, and changes in upstream land use on freshwater inflows into estuarine ecosystems using a daily hydrological model. Owing to the regionality of climate change in South Africa 10 estuaries in different climatic regions were selected for this investigation. Climate output from five GCMs under the SRES A2 climate scenario for the present (1971 – 1990), intermediate (2046 – 2065) and distant future (2081 – 2100) periods was used as input for the selected climate input. Results of these simulations show that the eastern regions of South Africa may experience considerable increases in the occurrence of high intensity rainfall events into the future. This could influence the abiotic factors of the system which may impact upon the biotic components of estuaries, as these systems are physically controlled. In the western regions the difference of the magnitude of flows between present and projected future is minimal. However, projected increases in temperature could influence evaporation, thereby decreasing future flows into estuaries. This, in some instances, may result in systems turning hyper-saline, which could have far reaching implications, both ecologically and economically. Additionally, an investigation, as to the possible effects of irrigation and climate change combined on flows entering and breaching events of the Klein estuary, was undertaken. Hence, simulations including and excluding irrigation routines have been completed. Results from these simulations illustrate the detrimental effects of irrigation into the future periods, especially during 1 in 10 low flow years, when flows into the Klein estuary cease completely. Breaching event results illustrate that climate change could have a negative impact on this estuarine system as the number of events decreases into distant future period. The addition of agricultural abstractions decreases the number of breaching events markedly. Therefore, the link between the marine and terrestrial hydrological systems is lost which could, if this estuary is isolated from the ocean for an extended period of time, become extremely detrimental to the ecological integrity of the Klein estuary. This highlights the value and vulnerabilities of estuarine ecosystems in South Africa to future climate and upstream land use changes. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

The dynamics and complexities of climate-soil-vegetation relations in the Kruger National Park are poorly known. Although primary production and composition of the grass layer are very important components of the Park's ecosystem, equally little is known about the determinants of these parameters. A better understanding of these processes and relations will be of value to the management of this Park, as well as providing a better insight into these complex dynamics. A study was consequently undertaken covering a 14-year period to identify the most important determinants of above-ground grass production and composition. At the core of the study is the soil water balance. The use of evapotranspiration data in a study of this nature is however not absolutely essential, provided a variety of rainfall parameters are used, though it has the important advantage of providing a much more detailed and more complete insight into the relations of the grass sward with its environment. Stepwise and tree regression procedures were used to identify the important factors. It is concluded that rainfall in its various forms is the primary determinant of grass production, standing crop, and composition, the latter either as perennials or Decreasers. Secondary determinants, in varying degrees of importance, are the thickness and base status of the A horizon, distance to permanent drinking water, and competition by woody plants. Herbivore utilization is insignificant or at most, plays a relatively minor role. Herbivores appear to exert a negative influence on Decreaser abundance only when soil moisture stress exceeds a threshold level. When this is exceeded, relatively low herbivore densities are apparently sufficient to reduce Decreaser abundance. The definitions of Decreasers and Increasers consequently require revision to take into account the overriding influence of environmental factors, particularly those of soil moisture stress. The calibration of the disc pasture meter was re-evaluated. The relation between mean disc height and standing crop is non-linear. Up to a mean disc pasture meter height of 260 mm, the correlation between this parameter and above-ground standing crop is very strong (r2 = 0.95; P<0.0005). Beyond this height, the correlation is very poor (r2 =0.09; P<0.0005), apparently being strongly influenced by the structure of the grass plant, with tall grasses, or grasses with highly lignified culms resulting in a weaker correlation. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) feeding scars on trees were used as an index of past porcupine abundance in the Bas St. Laurent region of eastern Quebec, Canada. The frequency distribution of scars revealed that porcupine populations have fluctuated regularly over the past 130 years in the Bas St. Laurent region, with superimposed periodicities of 11 and 22 years. This porcupine population cycle has closely followed the 11 and 22-year solar activity cycles. An analysis of local temperature and precipitation data revealed a close relationship between fluctuations in annual precipitation and both the solar cycle and the porcupine cycle. These results suggest that the solar cycle has sufficiently important effects on the climate along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence estuary to influence terrestrial ecosystem functioning to the point of setting the rhythm of porcupine population fluctuations. This is the strongest available evidence of a top-down cascading effect of solar variability on ecological systems at the decadal time scale and local spatial scale. These results confirm and extend those obtained by others at greater temporal and spatial scales and provide exciting opportunities for future research on the extensively debated topic of solar variability and its impact on our planet.

This thesis presents results from two separate studies. First, the impact of bearer length on yield components within the canopy was investigated in season 2005/06, on a commercially-managed, mechanically-pruned vineyard of Vitis vinifera L. Cabernet Sauvignon in Coonawarra, South Australia. Pruning resulted in the retention of bearers with 1-7 nodes, with the weighted average bearer length being two nodes for the canopy. As bearers of one to five nodes in length were the most common, these were studied. Yield components (on a per shoot basis) were analysed according to the node position on the bearer at which the shoot arose. Both budburst and inflorescence number per node were highest at the distal node positions on each length bearer, even if the nodes were at the same positions from the base of the bearer and would normally be expected to have similar fertility. Budburst appeared to act by modifying inflorescence number per node based on the relative location of each node from the apex of the bearer. Shoots that arose from the most distal node positions had the highest flower number per inflorescence and berry number per bunch. Flower number per inflorescence was significantly higher on two-inflorescence shoots than single-inflorescence shoots. The relationship between bunch size and node position, unlike that between inflorescence number and node position, was dependent on bearer length. The relative size of the inflorescence appeared to be affected more so by the node pOSition at which the shoot occurred on the bearer, as opposed to the actual node position on the shoot at which the inflorescence occurred. There was a positive, non-linear relationship between average fruit yield per bearer and bearer length. Although yield was highest from the bearer with the highest node number (five nodes), there was no significant difference in yield per bearer for the bearers of three to five nodes in length. If average bearer length was increased from two to three nodes, the potential yield gain per bearer is estimated at 38 per cent. The second study presents results of correlations between bunch number and components of bunch weight (flower number and berry number) to investigate co-development of bunch number and bunch size. These data were collected from 4 vineyards in the Limestone Coast Zone of South Australia from Vilis vinifera L. Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabemet Sauvignon during seasons 2002/03 to 2006/07. The significant correlations found between fertility and both bunch weight and flower number per inflorescence suggest that the same factors that affect bunch number in a particular season will also affect bunch size. When inflorescence primordia were initiated and differentiated under cool conditions, actual bunches per node and flowers per inflorescence were low. Differences in climate between the vineyard sites were found to be minimal and therefore did not strongly affect the magnitude of the yield components at the vineyard sites. Cultural practices at each vineyard site were sufficiently variable to affect fertility levels. Genotype is thought to determine the range of flowers per inflorescence that a variety can potentially carry, whereas actual flower number per inflorescence is thought to be determined by inflorescence primordium initiation and differentiation temperatures, as well as temperatures during budburst. Despite significant correlations between flower number per inflorescence and berry number per bunch, flower number per inflorescence preflowering for Cabemet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay is inversely related to actual percentage fruit set. This is possibly a survival mechanism for the grapevine as it allows the vine to maximise yield each season without detriment to its longevity. Bunches per vine accounted for the majority of the seasonal variation in yield per vine. Fluctuations in bunch number per vine (and therefore yield) are likely to be reduced by varying the number of nodes retained per vine according to the relative fruitfulness per node present pre-pruning. This practice is therefore likely to result in the seasonal variation of berries per bunch becoming a stronger driver of yield. The commercial impacts of these studies are two-fold. Data presented will assist growers to understand the reasons for which their pruning regimes are affecting yield production and how these pruning regimes may be modified to achieve a target yield-particularly when growers are faced with seasons of low predicted fertility. In addition, data presented will allow growers to improve their crop forecasting accuracy, with a greater understanding of the link between bunch number and bunch size. In the current situation of oversupply in the wine industry, wineries are adopting a tough stance towards growers over-delivering on their grape contracts. Therefore, any assistance that can be provided to growers on improving accuracy of yield estimates will be beneficial both to the grower and winery. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1352744 / Thesis (M.Ag.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2009

This thesis presents results from two separate studies. First, the impact of bearer length on yield components within the canopy was investigated in season 2005/06, on a commercially-managed, mechanically-pruned vineyard of Vitis vinifera L. Cabernet Sauvignon in Coonawarra, South Australia. Pruning resulted in the retention of bearers with 1-7 nodes, with the weighted average bearer length being two nodes for the canopy. As bearers of one to five nodes in length were the most common, these were studied. Yield components (on a per shoot basis) were analysed according to the node position on the bearer at which the shoot arose. Both budburst and inflorescence number per node were highest at the distal node positions on each length bearer, even if the nodes were at the same positions from the base of the bearer and would normally be expected to have similar fertility. Budburst appeared to act by modifying inflorescence number per node based on the relative location of each node from the apex of the bearer. Shoots that arose from the most distal node positions had the highest flower number per inflorescence and berry number per bunch. Flower number per inflorescence was significantly higher on two-inflorescence shoots than single-inflorescence shoots. The relationship between bunch size and node position, unlike that between inflorescence number and node position, was dependent on bearer length. The relative size of the inflorescence appeared to be affected more so by the node pOSition at which the shoot occurred on the bearer, as opposed to the actual node position on the shoot at which the inflorescence occurred. There was a positive, non-linear relationship between average fruit yield per bearer and bearer length. Although yield was highest from the bearer with the highest node number (five nodes), there was no significant difference in yield per bearer for the bearers of three to five nodes in length. If average bearer length was increased from two to three nodes, the potential yield gain per bearer is estimated at 38 per cent. The second study presents results of correlations between bunch number and components of bunch weight (flower number and berry number) to investigate co-development of bunch number and bunch size. These data were collected from 4 vineyards in the Limestone Coast Zone of South Australia from Vilis vinifera L. Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabemet Sauvignon during seasons 2002/03 to 2006/07. The significant correlations found between fertility and both bunch weight and flower number per inflorescence suggest that the same factors that affect bunch number in a particular season will also affect bunch size. When inflorescence primordia were initiated and differentiated under cool conditions, actual bunches per node and flowers per inflorescence were low. Differences in climate between the vineyard sites were found to be minimal and therefore did not strongly affect the magnitude of the yield components at the vineyard sites. Cultural practices at each vineyard site were sufficiently variable to affect fertility levels. Genotype is thought to determine the range of flowers per inflorescence that a variety can potentially carry, whereas actual flower number per inflorescence is thought to be determined by inflorescence primordium initiation and differentiation temperatures, as well as temperatures during budburst. Despite significant correlations between flower number per inflorescence and berry number per bunch, flower number per inflorescence preflowering for Cabemet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay is inversely related to actual percentage fruit set. This is possibly a survival mechanism for the grapevine as it allows the vine to maximise yield each season without detriment to its longevity. Bunches per vine accounted for the majority of the seasonal variation in yield per vine. Fluctuations in bunch number per vine (and therefore yield) are likely to be reduced by varying the number of nodes retained per vine according to the relative fruitfulness per node present pre-pruning. This practice is therefore likely to result in the seasonal variation of berries per bunch becoming a stronger driver of yield. The commercial impacts of these studies are two-fold. Data presented will assist growers to understand the reasons for which their pruning regimes are affecting yield production and how these pruning regimes may be modified to achieve a target yield-particularly when growers are faced with seasons of low predicted fertility. In addition, data presented will allow growers to improve their crop forecasting accuracy, with a greater understanding of the link between bunch number and bunch size. In the current situation of oversupply in the wine industry, wineries are adopting a tough stance towards growers over-delivering on their grape contracts. Therefore, any assistance that can be provided to growers on improving accuracy of yield estimates will be beneficial both to the grower and winery. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1352744 / Thesis (M.Ag.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2009

This thesis presents results from two separate studies. First, the impact of bearer length on yield components within the canopy was investigated in season 2005/06, on a commercially-managed, mechanically-pruned vineyard of Vitis vinifera L. Cabernet Sauvignon in Coonawarra, South Australia. Pruning resulted in the retention of bearers with 1-7 nodes, with the weighted average bearer length being two nodes for the canopy. As bearers of one to five nodes in length were the most common, these were studied. Yield components (on a per shoot basis) were analysed according to the node position on the bearer at which the shoot arose. Both budburst and inflorescence number per node were highest at the distal node positions on each length bearer, even if the nodes were at the same positions from the base of the bearer and would normally be expected to have similar fertility. Budburst appeared to act by modifying inflorescence number per node based on the relative location of each node from the apex of the bearer. Shoots that arose from the most distal node positions had the highest flower number per inflorescence and berry number per bunch. Flower number per inflorescence was significantly higher on two-inflorescence shoots than single-inflorescence shoots. The relationship between bunch size and node position, unlike that between inflorescence number and node position, was dependent on bearer length. The relative size of the inflorescence appeared to be affected more so by the node pOSition at which the shoot occurred on the bearer, as opposed to the actual node position on the shoot at which the inflorescence occurred. There was a positive, non-linear relationship between average fruit yield per bearer and bearer length. Although yield was highest from the bearer with the highest node number (five nodes), there was no significant difference in yield per bearer for the bearers of three to five nodes in length. If average bearer length was increased from two to three nodes, the potential yield gain per bearer is estimated at 38 per cent. The second study presents results of correlations between bunch number and components of bunch weight (flower number and berry number) to investigate co-development of bunch number and bunch size. These data were collected from 4 vineyards in the Limestone Coast Zone of South Australia from Vilis vinifera L. Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabemet Sauvignon during seasons 2002/03 to 2006/07. The significant correlations found between fertility and both bunch weight and flower number per inflorescence suggest that the same factors that affect bunch number in a particular season will also affect bunch size. When inflorescence primordia were initiated and differentiated under cool conditions, actual bunches per node and flowers per inflorescence were low. Differences in climate between the vineyard sites were found to be minimal and therefore did not strongly affect the magnitude of the yield components at the vineyard sites. Cultural practices at each vineyard site were sufficiently variable to affect fertility levels. Genotype is thought to determine the range of flowers per inflorescence that a variety can potentially carry, whereas actual flower number per inflorescence is thought to be determined by inflorescence primordium initiation and differentiation temperatures, as well as temperatures during budburst. Despite significant correlations between flower number per inflorescence and berry number per bunch, flower number per inflorescence preflowering for Cabemet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay is inversely related to actual percentage fruit set. This is possibly a survival mechanism for the grapevine as it allows the vine to maximise yield each season without detriment to its longevity. Bunches per vine accounted for the majority of the seasonal variation in yield per vine. Fluctuations in bunch number per vine (and therefore yield) are likely to be reduced by varying the number of nodes retained per vine according to the relative fruitfulness per node present pre-pruning. This practice is therefore likely to result in the seasonal variation of berries per bunch becoming a stronger driver of yield. The commercial impacts of these studies are two-fold. Data presented will assist growers to understand the reasons for which their pruning regimes are affecting yield production and how these pruning regimes may be modified to achieve a target yield-particularly when growers are faced with seasons of low predicted fertility. In addition, data presented will allow growers to improve their crop forecasting accuracy, with a greater understanding of the link between bunch number and bunch size. In the current situation of oversupply in the wine industry, wineries are adopting a tough stance towards growers over-delivering on their grape contracts. Therefore, any assistance that can be provided to growers on improving accuracy of yield estimates will be beneficial both to the grower and winery. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1352744 / Thesis (M.Ag.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2009

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

O planejamento ou a readequação urbana de espaços abertos são capazes de promover a melhoria das condições térmicas exteriores, e assim, influenciar qualitativamente o uso de espaços abertos. Neste contexto, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a sensação térmica da população de Curitiba e propor um modelo de predição de sensação térmica adequado às condições climáticas locais. Os locais de estudo são ruas de pedestres da Rua XV de Novembro e cercanias. Foram realizados 15 levantamentos de campo, sendo 14 dias no período entre janeiro e agosto de 2009 e um dia em junho de 2010, totalizando 15 situações urbanas distintas. Os levantamentos ocorreram entre 10h00 e 15h00 em dias de semana e foram monitorados dados climáticos e levantados dados pessoais, com o uso de questionários. A metodologia utilizada compreendeu quatro etapas: análise da relação entre as características urbanas e a sensação térmica; análise da sensação térmica real, a partir dos dados coletados; análise da sensação térmica por meio dos índices PMV, PET e UTCI; e proposição de um modelo preditivo de sensação térmica para Curitiba. Da análise dos atributos urbanos e sua relação com as variáveis climáticas e a sensação térmica, concluiu-se que a orientação do cânion e o perfil vertical das fachadas são importantes para compreender o comportamento das variáveis climáticas e para propor sugestões que melhorem o conforto térmico no ambiente urbano. A análise dos índices PMV, PET e UTCI mostrou a necessidade de calibração destes índices para a avaliação da sensação térmica da população de Curitiba. Ao analisar as respostas de sensação térmica e as variáveis climáticas verificou-se que as três categorias de sensação térmica se misturam entre si, não havendo clara distinção entre o grupo de conforto e os de desconforto para o frio e para o calor, o que dificulta a definição de faixas climáticas de conforto térmico para Curitiba. Em relação aos dois métodos estatísticos utilizados para a definição do modelo de predição, a Função Discriminante Linear (FDL) apresentou melhor desempenho que o Modelo de Regressão Logístico (MRL), tendo taxa total de acerto de 53%, se mostrando adequada para a avaliação da sensação térmica da população analisada. / Urban planning and modifications in open spaces are able to promote the improvement of outdoor thermal conditions and thus qualitatively influence the use of open spaces. In this context, this research aims to analyze the thermal sensation of the population of Curitiba and propose a model for predicting thermal sensation suited to local climatic conditions. The study was carried out at the pedestrian street Rua XV de November and adjacent streets. As a whole, fifteen monitoring campaigns were carried out (14 days in the period between January and August 2009 and one day in June 2010), encompassing fifteen different urban situations. The surveys took place between 10h00 and 15h00 on week days and weather data were monitored and personal data collected, using questionnaires. The method comprised four steps: analysis of the relationship between urban characteristics and thermal sensation; analysis of observed thermal sensation vote; analysis of calculated thermal sensation expressed by the indeces PMV, PET and UTCI and proposal of a thermal sensation predictive model for Curitiba. From the analysis of urban attributes and their relationship with climatic variables and thermal sensation, it was concluded that the canyon orientation and the vertical profile of the facades are important to understand the behavior of the climatic variables and to propose suggestions to improve the thermal comfort in urban environment. The analysis of PMV, PET and UTCI indeces showed the need for calibration to evaluate the thermal sensation of the population of Curitiba. The analysis between the observed thermal sensation and the climatic variables showed that the three categories of thermal sensation are mixed among themselves, with no clear distinction between the group of comfort and cold/heat discomfort, making difficult the definition of climatic zones of thermal comfort for Curitiba. Regarding both statistical methods used to develop the thermal sensation predictive model, the Linear Discriminant Function performed better than the Logistic Regression Model and the total success rate of 53% is adequate for the thermal sensation evaluation of the population analyzed.

CAPES / A vegetação pode produzir efeitos positivos mensuráveis no campo térmico dos recintos urbanos. Diante das inadequações térmicas verificadas nos espaços citadinos, existe a necessidade de projetos e planos urbanos que considerem a utilização da vegetação como elemento estratégico para a criação de condições de conforto térmico em espaços abertos. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa assume relevância ao propor um índice que identifique a quantidade de cobertura vegetal necessária para reduzir a temperatura do ar em ambientes urbanos. O índice foi desenvolvido para a cidade de Curitiba, especialmente para a Avenida Sete de Setembro e a Avenida Linha Verde. Adicionalmente, são apresentados estudos pilotos para as cidades de Genebra, Paris e São Paulo. De caráter experimental, a pesquisa utiliza medições em campo para coleta de dados microclimáticos e simulação computacional com o modelo ENVI-met, o qual viabilizou a comparação entre cenários atuais e cenários alternativos. Todas as simulações foram realizadas considerando situações de verão. Os índices Temperatura Fisiológica Equivalente (PET) e Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) foram utilizados para avaliar os níveis de estresse térmico na escala do pedestre. De forma geral, observou-se que a inserção de áreas arborizadas (especialmente sob copa densa) poderia reduzir o potencial de aquecimento das áreas urbanas no período diurno, com mudanças substanciais nas categorias de estresse térmico. A máxima redução na temperatura do ar conseguida foi de 2,5°C, verificada nos estudos piloto de São Paulo e Paris. Na Sete de Setembro a redução máxima de temperatura do ar foi de 1,2°C e na Linha Verde foi de 1,5°C. Verificou-se que os fatores que contribuem para reduções na temperatura ambiente são a forma de distribuição das árvores e a densidade da copa (fator relacionado à qualidade da sombra). O índice proposto (proporção entre cobertura vegetal e a área construída) pode explicar a redução média de Ta em 83,1%. A partir da aplicação do mesmo, pode-se concluir que a redução de 1°C na temperatura do ar deve ser esperada para um aumento de 49% de cobertura vegetal. Em cidades com ocorrência de ondas de calor, a vantagem de um plano de arborização é o custo relativamente baixo de implantação se considerar o benefício na redução das categorias de estresse térmico. A importância do índice (e da metodologia proposta para seu desenvolvimento) reside na possibilidade da sua aplicação no desenho urbano climaticamente orientado. / Vegetation can produce measurable positive effects on the thermal field of urban spaces. In view of thermal inadequacies in outdoor spaces, there is a need for projects and urban plans which consider the use of vegetation as strategic element for the creation of thermal comfort conditions in open spaces. In this sense, the relevance of this study is the proposition of an index which estimates the amount of vegetation fraction needed to reduce the air temperature in urban environments. The index was developed for the city of Curitiba, specifically for its central arteries such as Avenida Sete de Setembro and Avenida Linha Verde. Additionally, pilot studies for the cities of Geneva, Paris and São Paulo are presented. The experimental research uses field measurements for collecting microclimatic data and computer simulations with the ENVI-met model, which allowed the comparison of current and alternative scenarios. All simulations were carried out for summer conditions. The thermal comfort indices Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) were used to assess levels of thermal stress at the pedestrian level. In general, it was observed that the insertion of green areas (particularly under dense canopy) could reduce the daytime heating in urban areas, with substantial changes in heat stress categories. The maximum reduction of air temperature was 2.5°C, observed in the pilot studies in São Paulo and Paris. In the Sete de Setembro the maximum reduction of air temperature was 1.2°C and in the Linha Verde it was 1.5°C. It was found that contributing factors to ambient temperature reductions are the distribution of trees and the canopy density (related to the shadow quality). The proposed index (ratio between the increase of vegetated over built-up area) may explain the reduction of mean air temperature by 83.1%. From its application, it can be concluded that a 1°C reduction in air temperature should be expected for an increase of 49% in vegetated fraction. In cities impacted by heat waves, the advantage of greenery insertion is the relatively low investment with considerable benefits in changes of heat stress categories. In cities impacted by heat waves, the advantage of greenery insertion is the relatively low investment with considerable benefits in changes of heat stress categories. The importance of the index (and the proposed methodology behind it) lies in the possibility of its application in climate- responsive urban design.