Floristic composition and conservation significance of Dev Singh Bisht Campus an academic institute of Kumaun University Nainital

The protection of biodiversity is greatly aided by urban biodiversity, especially on college campuses in developing nations with little private green spaces. Campuses of universities are important green areas that support ecological awareness, education, and environmental research. This study focuses on the floristic inventory of the DSB (Dev Singh Bisht) Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India, aiming to document the existing vegetation, analyzing overall species based on their habit form, family, and economic values, and to evaluate conservation strategies for cultivated and restored plant species. Overall, 251 plant species, comprising 228 dicotyledons, 12 monocotyledons, and 11 gymnosperms, were identified from 89 families. The most common plant families found there include Lauraceae (angiosperms), Pinaceae (gymnosperms), Rosaceae (shrubs), and Asteraceae (herbs). The campus has a wide variety of plant life, with the most common plant form being herbs (53%) followed by shrubs (24%), trees (18.3%), and climbers (5%). The research also highlighted economic values of listed plant species with medicinal property as dominant. Two endemics (Trachycarpus takil, Pittosporum eriocarpum), and one endemic and critically endangered (Butea pellita), and many keystone species (Quercus leucotrichophora, Betula utilis) are growing naturally or cultivated in the campus area. The occurrence of rare and endemic plants on the University campus indicated that the campus is suitable for the conservation of ecologically sensitive plants, so there is a chance to develop rare and threatened plant gardens on the University campus through ex-situ and in-situ conservation.This research underscores the role of academic campuses in biodiversity conservation and provides a foundation for long-term conservation planning and habitat restoration efforts in urban green spaces.