INSTITUTIONS : BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS IN URBAN AREAS 

M. Kulkarni, S. Dighe, A. Sawant, P. Oswal , K. Sahsrabuddhe, A. Patwardhan.*

* Research And Action in Natural Wealth Administration (RANWA), C - 26/1, Ketan Heights, Kothrud, Pune - 411029, Maharashtra, India.
 e-Mail : ranwa@pn3.vsnl.net.in

Key words - Urban biodiversity, Biomass, Carbon sequestration 

Urbanization & habitat fragmentation seem to be increasing world wide, proved by a case study in Pune City. A study shows 25% decline in vegetation cover within 50 years of time due to encroachment of human habitation (1). But, still institutes in the Pune city like Ferguson College & Pune University campus harbor a good vegetation cover, which act as Hot Spot in urban biodiversity. Here we make an attempt to explore ecological conservation values of such institutions in urban ecosystem. The study constitutes an assessment of species richness, standing biomass, carbon sequestration of tree flora in Pune university campus, with inventories on butterflies. Though area of university is just 0.23% of city, it harbors 51%(194) of tree species and 40%(40) butterfly species from total recorded species in the city(2,3). Total area of University campus is 166 ha. Which constitutes 51% of vegetation cover (4) . This is categorized in to four structural vegetation types.

1. Scrub savanna ( 29% ) - Barren land, with dry deciduous trees frequently distributed.

2. Monoculture (32% of vegetation area) - Plantation of dry deciduous species like Dalbergia melanoxylon & Gliricidia.

3. Mixed vegetation (32% of vegetation area) - Quite dense with more % of evergreen species.

4. Garden (6%) - Highly diverse species with high percentage of evergreen species. Densest vegetation type.
   

For each of this vegetation type species richness & biomass were estimated. Check list of plants in this area was already done by Varadpande(5) which cover 194 tree species. Comparison of it with present status hardly finds any change. 

A line transect of 500m. x 20m. was taken in each vegetation type. The corresponding GBH (girth at breast height) & height for each individual was noted. Biomass & stored carbon in each vegetation type were calculated. (6,7) The following table provides a brief view of the estimated values.

Thus human influence on areas such as scrub savanna & monoculture show less percentage of standing biomass. While mixed plantation holds more than 50% of total biomass. The area also shows highest regeneration. 

Gardens occupy just 6% of total area of the campus. Still highly rich in biomass holding almost 108ton/ha. This is quite comparable with semi evergreen forest (120-130ton/ha.) (7). Increasing carbon emission is one of todays concern. Trees, important sinks for this carbon as 50% of their standing biomass is carbon itself. Importance of forested areas in carbon sequestration is already accepted. Non-forested but tree dominated area including avenue and public gardens (5.3% of countries total area.) also play some role. (7)

Our study area a representative of this 5.3 %, holds up to 1846 tons. of Carbon.

These aspects definitely add to the conservation value of such institutionally safeguarded areas in the urban biodiversity.

Acknowledgement :- 

We are very thankful to RANWA to giving us this opportunity and encouragement. We are thankful to Head, Dept. of Env. Sci., Pune university for providing us computer facility.

REFERENCES :-

DIXIT A. S. NALAWADE AND G.UTKARSH 2000-1: Pune urban Biodiversity: A case of millenium Ecosystem Assessment Journal of Ecological Society 13/14: 8-13. 

PATWARDHAN A.A AND R. V. GANDHE 2000-1: Tree Div. of Pune urban area: cosmetic increase? Journal of Ecological Society 13/14: 21-33.

KUNTE KRUSHNAMEGH 2000-1: Butterfly Diversity of Pune City along Human Impact Gradient. Journal of Ecological Society 13/14: 40-45.

MOGHE KAUSTUBH (Unpublished): State of the art of Pune University Campus. Dissertation submitted for M.Sc. degree to Dept. of Environmental Science, University of Pune. 

VARADPANDE,D.G. 1973: The flora of Ganeshkhind , Poona. Jr. of Poona Univ.(Sci. & Tech) 44: 97-133.

GADGIL MADHAV, R.J RANJIT AND UTKARSH G.(Unpublished) A methodology manual for sc. Inventorying, monitoring & conservation of biodiversity vol.I. 

N.H.RAVINDRANATHA AND MADHAV GADGIL, B.S.SOMASHEKHARA.1997: Carbon flows in Indian forests, In Climatic Changes, Kluwer Academic Publishers,297-320.