D.M. Mahajan and Madhuri R. Wani
Abstract
Urban roadside vegetation constitutes a critical yet under-evaluated component of urban green infrastructure in rapidly urbanizing tropical cities. This study presents a comprehensive, indicator-based assessment of roadside vegetation across major road corridors in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), India, integrating structural attributes like girth at breast height (GBH) and height-class distributions, biomass carbon storage, phyto-sociological phytosociology dominance indices (relative frequency, relative density, relative dominance, and Importance Value Index), and Raunkiaer frequency-class patterns. Belt-transect surveys were conducted along representative road corridors, and biomass carbon was estimated using standard allometric approaches. Results reveal pronounced structural asymmetry in roadside vegetation, with a small proportion of large-GBH (??91 cm), tall trees contributing a disproportionate share of total iomass carbon, while most individuals remain confined to smaller girth and intermediate height classes. Height-class analysis indicates compressed vertical structure across most corridors, limiting canopy development and associated ecosystem services. Phytosociological analysis shows strong dominance by a limited set of high-IVI species, resulting in either compositional homogenization or spatial fragmentation, as reflected in Raunkiaer frequency-class distributions. Corridors exhibiting greater representation of intermediate to high frequency classes (C-E) demonstrate higher structural maturity, spatial stability, and carbon storage. Integration of structural and compositional indicators highlights clear road-wise gradients in ecosystem-service performance and provides direct linkage to Sustainable Development Goals SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG-13 (Climate Action). The study demonstrates that roadside vegetation functions as an effective urban climate and liveability asset only where tree maturity, canopy continuity, and spatial stability coincide. These findings underscore the need to shift from plantation-centric greening to structure-centric, longevity-focused management strategies in Indian cities, emphasizing protection of mature trees, canopy development, and corridor-specific ecological planning.