Resumen en español

The objective of the study was to assess the capacity of vegetation to reduce the noise in the Aburrá valley. The methodology comprised two phases: the first was the revision of secondary information related to the role of vegetation and to obtain the conceptual bases for further experimental development. The second phase was the measurement of noise levels 10 m from the sound source (high traffic road) in urban public green zones with different plant coverage (tree, shrub, and a mixture of trees and shrubs) and without vegetation. Results showed no significant differences between the sites with and without vegetation, allowing us to infer that under conditions of the study, characterized by having few individuals of trees and shrubs dispersed, the vegetation does not play a significant role in reducing noise. Therefore, for its control in urban areas measures other than the planting of trees must be taken, or wider, longer, denser, and higher live barriers should be established.