Nature Based Solutions: Carbon Sequestration by Standing Trees in Urban Parks and Gardens of Katni City in Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Aims: This study aims at estimating contribution of urban Parks and gardens by carbon sequestration and suggests suitable strategies that can be helpful in reducing climate change impacts in urban centres. The challenges of climate change can be efficiently overcome by the storage of carbon in terrestrial carbon sinks viz. plants, plant products and soils for longer periods. Selection of appropriate trees can help mitigate climate impact. Study Design: Non-destructive sampling method of biomass estimation was used to measure to GBH of individual trees. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Katni city, Madhya Pradesh in 2020. Methodology: The parks and gardens in Katni were categorized into three groups based on their sizes: (A) large parks/gardens, (B) medium parks/gardens, and (C) small parks/gardens. The height of the trees was estimated using a relascope, while the girth classes of the trees were measured at different heights, including the basal area at Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and at a 2-meter height. Results: 26 parks were systematically selected from a total of 62, encompassing small, medium, and large-sized areas, representing 42% of the city's green cover. The sampled parks sequestered 340 tons of carbon, projecting an annual sequestration of 414 tons by all parks combined. Among the planted trees in these spaces were (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis), Fishtailed palm (Carota urens) Ashok (Polyalthia longifolia), Neem (Azardirachta indica), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Champa (Magnolia champaca), Saptaparni (Alstonia scholaris), etc. Furthermore, the study identified ten suitable tree species—Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Gulmohar (Delonix regia), Karanj (Millettia pinnata), Kassod (Cassia siamea), Mahaneem (Ailanthus excelsa), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Umar (Ficus racemosa), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Peltaforum (Peltophorum pterocarpum) and Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) ideal for planting in parks for climate mitigation. The study advocates for widespread planting of these identified indigenous species in urban areas to enhance environmental quality and contribute significantly to climate improvement efforts. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the nature of carbon sequestration in urban green spaces, stressing the need for selection of tree species based on multiple criteria discussed in the paper. Holistic approaches in environmental management and conservation will help mitigate climate impact.