Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.33765/thate.16.1.1
Published in: Holistic Approach Environ. 16(2026) 1, pp. 1 – 15
Paper reference number: HAE-2504
Download Full text PDF

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

CARBON STOCK EVALUATION IN NATIVE AND EXOTIC TREE SPECIES USING MULTIPLE ALLOMETRIC EQUATIONS: INSIGHTS FROM INDIA’S GREENEST UNIVERSITY

Abhishek Nandal^*, Sunita Rani^**, Amrender Singh Rao^*, Surender Singh Yadav^*

^* Maharshi Dayanand University, Department of Botany, Rohtak, Haryana, India

^** Government Senior Secondary School, Bhainswan Khurd, Sonipat, Haryana, India

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT

Understanding the dynamics of tree carbon stock in urban green spaces is critical for sustainable ecosystem management and climate change mitigation. This study evaluates carbon stock in native and exotic tree species at India’s greenest university (Maharshi Dayanand University) using four different allometric equations. A total of 5742 trees (22.81 trees/ha) were analysed, representing 56 species from 28 families. Tree parameters showed substantial variation. Diameter at breast height (DBH) ranged from 10.21 cm (Citrus limon) to 24.29 cm (Ficus benghalensis), with an average of 16 cm. Basal area (BA) ranged from 0.008 m²/tree to 0.046 m²/tree, with an average of 0.020 m²/tree. Biomass ranged from 20.22 kg/tree (Pterospermum acerifolium) to 194.82 kg/tree (Casuarina equisetifolia), with an average of 70.35 kg/tree, totalling 403.95 Mg. In comparison, the mean total carbon (TC) was 35.17 kg/tree, giving a total of 201.97 Mg and 0.80 Mg/ha. The dominant families, Fabaceae (112.31 kg/ha) and Moraceae (146.02 kg/ha) contributed significantly to carbon storage, while families like Lauraceae (0.19 kg/ha) and Moringaceae (0.34 kg/ha) showed minimal contributions. Equation A [AGB = exp (−2.409 + 0.9522 ln (D² H ρ))] gave the maximum values of carbon stock. Statistical analysis revealed significant variation between equations (one-way repeated measures ANOVA, p < 0.0001). Pearson correlation analysis highlighted the number of trees, DBH, and BA as the strongest predictors of biomass and carbon stock (r > 0.6). Native trees showed greater carbon stocks. These findings highlight the superior carbon storage of native trees and the role of allometric equations in precise carbon estimation, aiding urban carbon management.

Keywords: urban trees, ecosystem management, allometric equations, carbon assessment
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________