Soil Ecosystem and Restoration Ecology Lab, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
Environ Monit Assess. 2024 May 3;196(6):504. doi: 10.1007/s10661-024-12634-x.
Urbanisation has emerged as a formidable challenge for urban policymakers, reaching unparalleled heights and unsettling the ecological equilibrium of the cities. Urban areas now grapple with many issues encompassing climate change, resource depletion, population surges and increased pollution levels. Many planned cities have planted trees and other vegetation within the urban sectors to enhance air quality, mitigate climate effects and provide valuable ecosystem services. This study assessed tree species diversity and their potential for carbon sequestration in Panjab University Campus, Chandigarh. We established 188 plots, each comprising randomly selected quadrats measuring 10 m × 10 m, encompassing areas with varying levels of vegetation, ranging from low to moderate and high density. We used four different allometric equations to estimate tree biomass and carbon stock. Our findings revealed that 92 tree species belong to 72 genera and 35 families, with a total tree density of 975 ha. The total CO sequestration in form of carbon stock was 18,769.46 Mg C ha, with Manilkara hexandra (1239.20 Mg C ha), Ficus benghalensis (1072.24 Mg C ha), Kigelia pinnata (989.89 Mg C ha) and Lagerstroemia floribunda (716.88 Mg C ha) being the top contributors. Specifically, the equation of Chave et al. (2005) without tree height yielded the highest biomass and carbon stock estimates than other equations. The present study underscores the vital role of trees on the campus as potent carbon reservoirs meet to maintain an aesthetic sense for biotic components and alleviate rising levels of CO in the atmospheric environment. By emphasising the role of urban trees as potent carbon reservoirs, the study underscores the importance of integrating green infrastructure into urban planning strategies. Furthermore, it offers valuable guidance for urban planners. It suggests that strategic tree planting and maintenance can enhance green spaces, regulate temperatures and ultimately support regional and global climate change mitigation goals. Incorporating these findings into urban planning processes can aid policymakers in developing resilient, ecologically sustainable cities worldwide.
城市化已经成为城市政策制定者面临的一项艰巨挑战，其规模达到前所未有的高度，打破了城市的生态平衡。城市现在面临着许多问题，包括气候变化、资源枯竭、人口激增和污染水平上升。许多规划城市在城市区域内种植了树木和其他植被，以提高空气质量、减轻气候影响并提供有价值的生态系统服务。本研究评估了旁遮普大学坎普尔校区的树种多样性及其固碳潜力。我们建立了 188 个样方，每个样方包括随机选择的 10 m × 10 m 的四分体，涵盖了不同植被水平的区域，从低密度到中密度和高密度。我们使用了四种不同的异速生长方程来估计树木生物量和碳储量。我们的研究结果表明，92 种树种属于 72 属和 35 科，树木总密度为 975 株/公顷。以碳储量形式的总 CO 固存量为 18769.46 Mg C ha，其中 Manilkara hexandra（1239.20 Mg C ha）、Ficus benghalensis（1072.24 Mg C ha）、Kigelia pinnata（989.89 Mg C ha）和 Lagerstroemia floribunda（716.88 Mg C ha）是最大的贡献者。具体来说，Chave 等人（2005 年）的方程在不考虑树高的情况下，产生的生物量和碳储量估算值高于其他方程。本研究强调了校园树木的重要作用，因为它们是潜在的碳库，有助于维持生物成分的美学感，并减轻大气环境中 CO 浓度的上升。通过强调城市树木作为潜在碳库的作用，本研究强调了将绿色基础设施纳入城市规划策略的重要性。此外，它为城市规划者提供了有价值的指导。它表明，战略性植树和维护可以增加绿地，调节温度，最终支持区域和全球气候变化缓解目标。将这些发现纳入城市规划过程可以帮助政策制定者在全球范围内开发有弹性、生态可持续的城市。
