S.S. Prema and J. Narayan
Abstract
The primary objective of this study is to enhance comprehension of the functions played by urban green spaces in promoting urban sustainability. This will be achieved by the documentation of tree diversity and the assessment of their capacity for carbon sequestration at Sahyadri College Campus in Shivamogga city. Tree species diversity was assessed by the quadrat method. Tree species having a diameter ? 10cm were selected in the Sahyadri college campus. The measurement of Diameter at Breast Height was conducted using a non-destructive method. The tree girth is taken into consideration for measurement of biomass and carbon sequestration potential. The total biomass and total carbon sequestration was calculated by standard equations. The diversity of trees in urban green spaces of college campus was surveyed using 25 sample sites. A total of 378 tree individuals from 53 distinct species belonging to 23 different families were recorded. Total carbon sequestration recorded was 67663.89 kg/tree. Samanea saman species with high girth size was found to be dominant sequestrated 23591.41 kg/tree of carbon and having 25 trees followed by Tectona grandis 11469.65 kg/tree having 62 trees. The species Cassia fistula has lowest carbon sequestration potential, i.e. 6.29 kg/tree. The study concludes that Sahyadri College Campus vegetation is relatively high in terms of both diversity and carbon sequestration potential. The findings highlight the major functions of urban green spaces in reducing pollution by carbon capturing and storing in safer biomass and also supporting biodiversity and regulating the microclimate, all of which contribute to Shivamogga cityâs urban sustainability.