Assessment of Carbon Sequestration Potential of Urban Green Spaces (PMC Gardens) in Pune City, India

Aim: To estimate the Carbon sequestration potential of trees in Urban green spaces of Pune city. Study Design: The methods suggested by Ravindranath and Ostwald were used for measuring the above and belowground biomass and estimation of carbon pool. Random sampling technique was used to collect soil samples. As the study area was one acre and above, each and every tree was sampled for various parameters. The GPS instrument was used for measuring latitude and longitude of each and every tree. Objective of Study: To assess the carbon sequestration potential of garden vegetation developed by Pune Municipal Corporation and to check the potential of native and exotic species. Also, to take the mitigation measures and framing a policy for carbon credits based on the results Place and Duration of Study: The gardens developed by Pune Municipal Corporation (total 66 having an area one acre and above) Pune, Three years (from January 2015 to December 2015, January 2016 to December 2016, January 2017 to December 2017) Methodology: The gardens having an area one acre and above were selected for the work. Each calculated as per the standard methods given by Ravindranath and Ostwald [1] Soil samples were collected randomly from a depth of 30 cm as it is a zone of highest microbial activity. Walkley Black Wet Oxidation method was used to find out soil organic carbon. Results: Total amount of above and belowground carbon sequestered was estimated to be 7,00,507.83 tonnes; litter and deadwood 24,904.05, and soil organic carbon 1879.905; and the sum of all were 7,27,291.785 tonnes. The exotic species sequester 2,69,287.4 tonnes and native sequester 80,966.55 tonnes of carbon. The rates of carbon in active markets are US 30 (Thirty dollars) per tonne. Conclusion: Putting a conservative value of US 30 per tonne of CO2 locked in these sampled gardens, this carbon sink of about 7,27,291.785 tonnes of CO2 is worth of US 21818753.55 or Indian Rs. 1606733011.422/-It will help in Climate mitigation and reducing the carbon footprints of Pune city. Our results are based on one two-time field measurement. However, long-term measurement of biomass is necessary for more accurate and precise results.