Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Shalini Toppo, Lalji Singh, Pratap Toppo, Rakesh Banwasi and Jaimangal Tirkey

Abstract:
The importance of street trees within urban environments cannot be overstated due to their multifaceted contributions. These trees serve as a crucial resource for the city by mitigating the urban heat island effect, lowering ambient temperatures, minimizing rainwater runoff, reducing aerial particulate matter, enhancing the visual appeal of the urban landscape, and notably, by storing and sequestering a significant amount of carbon from the surrounding CO₂. Our study focused on the carbon storage and sequestration potential specifically exhibited by the roadside trees. The highest C_seq was recorded for Eucalyptus spp. (13803.72 kg tree^–1) and lowest C was sequestered by Lagerstroemia speciosa (104.25 kg tree^–1). On the area basis total C_seq by street trees on VIP road was 508.76 t ha^-1. This study sought to provide quantifiable data showcasing the remarkable role these trees play in absorbing and retaining carbon within their biomass, contributing to the mitigation of atmospheric CO₂ levels.