Trees as Reliable Carbon Capture and Storage in Urban Spaces: A Case Study in Kalaburagi, India

The urgency of climate action has never been more apparent, and this research seeks to align the vital task of carbon mitigation with pragmatic solutions grounded in urban forestry. The objectives of this study encompass the quantification of carbon and CO2 stocks within the urban trees of Kalaburagi city, India, the analysis of the relative abundance of tree species, and the dissemination of findings aimed at raising awareness about the imperative of climate action. This study follows a systematic sampling approach to measure and collect data. Physical measurements were taken of each tree species spanning 20 hectares, and the readings were enumerated using allometric formulas to obtain the carbon and CO2 stocks (in metric tons). A total of over 500 individual trees belonging to 20 families were recorded. The total Biomass stood at 188.286 t, Carbon stocks reached 89.436 t, and CO2 stocks reached 327.871 t in the study area. Azadirachta indica had the highest relative abundance and sequestration potential, followed by other members of the family Meliaceae and Fabaceae, Murraya koenigii had the lowest carbon storage potential. The results satisfied the Shannon-Simpson indices. This research is not merely an academic endeavour; it is a call to arms, a clarion call for cities to recognize the invaluable contribution of their arboreal denizens in the struggle against climate change.