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Carbon sequestration in Pune University Campus with special reference to

Geographical information system

Article · January 2013

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Annals of Biological Research, 2013, 4 (4):169-175

(http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/archive.html)
ISSN 0976-1233
CODEN (USA): ABRNBW

Carbon sequestration in Pune university campus with special reference to

geographical information system (GIS)
Hamed Haghparast1, Azamsadat Delbari1 and D. K. Kulkarni2
1
Department of Environmental sciences, Pune University, India
2
BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune, India
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT

The potential of urban vegetation towards mitigation of Carbon dioxide as the most dominant green house gas was
studied in Pune city. It is second big city in the state of Maharashtra. According to the recorded data from Pune
University campus field survey and geographical information system (GIS)analyzes, Dalbergiamelanoxylon and
Gliricidia sepium are the most dominant species in terms of carbon sequestration, whereas species such as
Ficusbengalensis and Samaniasaman, Cocosnucifera and Delonixregia were categorized next to this two species.
106.4 tonnes per hectare was the highest recorded sequestration volume for Dalbergiamelanoxyloncounted in
Shivaji garden, front of Botany Department, Range hills sampling sites. Species wise Dalbergiamelanoxylon and
Gliricidiasepium sequestrating 49% and 30% respectively. According to final prepared map from Arc view 9.2, it is
safe to say that conservation and enhancement of such major terrestrial carbon pool seems to be essential for fast
developing cities such as Pune in terms of local mitigation of carbon dioxide and achieving sustainable development
through the most applicable and economic technique for CO2mitigation.

Keywords: Carbon sequestration, Pune City, urban forest, Global information system (GIS).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

Global warming is recognized as the most challenging environmental anthropogenic issue. Therefore, the need is to
develop strategies to reduce the greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration through biomass
seems to be a cheap and viable option. Trees, plants and grasses are natural storage sites for carbon. Carbon is stored
in the plant tissue above-ground, below-ground in the roots, and in the soil. According to the IPCC (5,6,7) Special
Report on CO2 Capture and Storage, CO2 capture and storage could be responsible for providing as much as 55% of
emission reductions until 2100. Carbon sequestration activities could play a pivotal role in the stabilization of these
concentrations, as required by the UNFCCC,(12) to which India is a signatory. Terrestrial carbon sequestration
involves the all biomass in living vegetation, both woody and herbaceous above the soil including stems, stumps,
branches, bark, seeds and foliage and the dead organic matter as well as soil organic carbon. In terms of atmospheric
carbon reduction, trees in urban areas offer the double benefit of direct carbon storage and stability of natural
ecosystem with increased recycling of nutrient along with maintenance of climatic conditions by the biogeochemical
processes. In this respect, Warran and Patwardhan (13) selected five sites around Pune city, like Vetal hill, Parvati-
Pachgaon, Katraj, Singad and Sambhaji Garden for carbon sequestration of tree sources. They reported that
maximum carbon was sequestrated at Sinhagad region i.e. 12.92 T/year. The second maximum carbon sequestrating
region was Katraj i.e. 4.03 T/year. Vetal hill 0.43 t/year, Parvati-pachgaon 0.28 T/year and Sambhaji garden

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0.13T/year. This indicates that Sinhgad and Katraj regions were having major tree resources in forest land and the
other regions of the city with less no of trees. Chavan and Rasal (1) carried out standing carbon stock in selective
tree species grown in Dr. B.A.M. University campus at Aurangabad. They had selected 20 different tree species
having diameter > 10 cm. The average standing stock of organic carbon was about 1.65 t/tree. Chavan and Rasal (2)
has estimated the carbon sequestration potential of single tree species Peltophorumpterocarpum (DC.) K. Heyne
planted in Aurangabad city. Hangarge (4) estimated carbon sequestration from SomjaichiRai at village Nandghur,
TalukaBhor. They reported 31 tree species in 5 hectors area of the sacred grove. Total biomass and carbon
sequesteredby the species have been estimated using non-destructive method. The mean above and belowground
organic carbon (tones/tree) and total organic carbon of each species were calculated. The calculated total organic
carbon has been compared with allometric model. Terminaliabellirica species was found to be dominant and
followed by Ficusamplissima. The species Gnidiaglauca was found to be lowest carbon sequestrating. The second
lowest carbon sequestrating species was Nathapodytesnimoniana. On this background, preliminary work carried out
(3) on carbon sequestration of Dalbergiamelanoxylon and Gliricida sepium from Shivaji garden, front of Botany
Department, Range hills and recorded 57% and 20% carbon sequestration potential respectively. The highest
recorded soil organic carbon (SOC) at 0.15 meters ranged from 1.39-1.56 where as 2.87-3.23 tonnes /hectare was
the acceptable level for 30 cm depth as the second important carbon pool in the Pune University campus. All these
regions selected for carbon sequestration study were from urban areas.

Present work at Pune University campus encompasses carbon sequestration in relation to GIS and above ground
biomass(AGB), below ground biomass(BGB), total biomass(AGB+BGB), total biomass carbon, deadwood carbon,
leaf litter carbon, soil organic carbon in detailed.

Pune lies between 18°25’ N to 18°37’ N and 73°44’ E and 73° 57’ E and at 560 m ASL (Fig.1). Pune urban area
measuring about 700 sq km. In Pune, there are two cantonment areas. The rapid urbanization and industrialization
with better job opportunities has attracted migrants from various corners of the country to Pune, resulting into
expansion of the settlements of Pune.In present scenarioof urban hot spots such as Pune University campus, Vetal
hill, Pachgaonparvati hill, Sambhaji garden, Peshwe park and Empress Garden are balancing Pune city atmosphere.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sampling site
Pune University campus includes 166 hectare, out of that almost 50% is covered by deciduous plants dominated by
Dalbergiamelanoxylon and Gliricidiasepium, and evergreen trees such as Mangiferaindica, Ficusbenghalensis, etc.
This area is considered as the biggest urban hot spot of Pune city, which plays very important role in carbon
sequestration and eventually local climate sustainability. Fig.1 shows the study area of Pune University Campus.

Carbon sequestration methodology:

Biomass and soil carbon are the two major carbon pools. Biomass is defined as the total quantity of live and inert or
dead organic matter, above and below the ground, expressed in tonnesof dry matter per unit area, such as a hectare.
Soil carbon is carbon held in soil as organic matter in stable structures such as charcoal. Biomass eventually gets
converted to carbon by multiplying it with a carbon fraction of dry matter. The exact value of the fraction varies
within a small range for different species and components of plants and is usually about 0.5 (8).

Biomass carbon = (aboveground biomass carbon + belowground biomass carbon + dead organic matter carbon +
Soil carbon)

Carbon inventory methods suggested (11) were used for measuring the above and belowground biomass and
estimation of carbon pool. All the terrestrial carbon pools were measured step by step (Fig.2). Random sampling
was used to collect different variables since it was the most versatile and scientific method for estimating above
ground biomass. Below ground carbon sequestration was calculated by multiplying above ground biomass into 0.6
since using of destructive methods was avoided.

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Fig.1, sampling site.

Fig. 2, Stepwise physical field measurements.

PROJECT BOUNDARY
The project boundary was defined as the geographically marked area dedicated to the project activity. Both study
areas i.e. Pune University Campus and Pardisan forest were mapped with GPS for precise and accurate plotting and
descriptive GIS maps of both study areas were prepared.

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GIS Application in Carbon Sequestration Assessment
The application of GIS comes from a database management system that is designed to store and manipulate data (9).
Apart from its application for remote sensing data, GIS also offers the possibility of integrating further analysis of
other types of information including data on soil types and population of a certain area in terms of different types of
projects (10). In the present study GIS was used as a complimentary technique along with field measurements to
obtain more accurate and precise calculation and interpretation of different layers including above and below ground
biomass, soil organic carbon, leaf litter, herb biomass distribution and eventually it was used as a worthy technique
for indicating dominant species in the study area and marking hot spots of the project as an important step in any
terrestrial carbon inventory project at the baseline stage. Arc view 9.2, as a recent software of Geographic
Information System (GIS) was used. Above and below ground values along with other important parameters of all
plots were entered in the software to show the concentration of carbon pools in both areas. GIS based map shows the
location and value of above and below ground carbon sequestration for each plot in the study area. Green color
indicated the high concentration and shifting toward red indicated lower CO2 presence in the carbon pool.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

For the assessment of Above Ground Biomass (AGB) and Belowground Biomass (BGB) Pune University campus
was divided into ten major sites namely,Range hills (11.63 ha),Shivaji Garden (4.5 ha), Opposite of Botany
Department (6.6 ha), Botanical Garden (5.25 ha), Elease garden (5.35 ha), Q Building (Teachers Quarters) (8.7 ha),
Gen. Joshi gate No. 1 (7.14 ha), Gen. Joshi gate No. 2 (5.42 ha), Agricultural center 9.6 ha), and IUCCA(Inter-
University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics) gate (0.4 ha). These sites were selected as major sequestration
pools in the study area. High variation was recorded in terms of species and biomass. Total seventy six plots of
25×25meters (625m2) were laid in 64.59hectares vegetated area of Pune University Campus. Table 1 shows the
major sites in the entirestudy area.

Sr.
Sites Number of Sampling plots Total Area of site (In Hectare)
No.
1 Range Hills 10 11.63
2 Shivaji Garden 12 04.50
3 Opposite of Botany Department 10 06.60
4 Botanical Garden 03 05.25
5 EleaseGarden 10 05.35
6 Q Building (Teachers Quarters) 13 08.70
7 Gen. Joshi Gate No. 1 07 07.14
8 Gen. Joshi Gate No. 2 06 05.42
9 Agriculture Centre 04 09.60
10 IUCAA 01 00.40
TOTAL 76 64.59

Arc view 9.2, was used for interpretation, analysis, and eventually conceptualizing of above-ground carbon
sequestration in the entire forested area of Pune University campus. Above and below ground values of all plots
located in different pools were entered in the software to show the concentration of biomass all along the study area
of University Campus. As it was predicted prior to the study, the Botanical garden, Elease garden, Gen. Joshi gate
sites and planted part in front of the Botany Department and Shivaji garden site, have sequestrated the maximum
CO2 in its above-ground biomass. 78.3 tonnes/plot was the highest value, whereas, 2.5 tonnes/plot was recorded as
the lowest value of carbon sequestration in above ground biomass in the entire study area. The highest sequestration
in terms of area and number of plots was recorded in the Botanical garden in which total 178.88 tonnes biomass
were recorded. Total 1694.54tonnes of sequestrated carbon were recorded in seventhly six plots covering 47,500 m2
of the entire study area, whereas 21.73 tonnes /plot is recorded as the average value of CO2 for each plot laid in the
forested parts of the campus. GIS based map shows the location and value of above-ground carbon sequestration for
each plot in the study area. Green color shows the high concentration and shifting toward red indicated lower carbon
concentration in the green biomass (Fig. 3, 4). Similarly, belowground biomass indicated 26.96 as highest and 0.65
tonnes as lowest carbon sequestration values

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Fig 3,4. Above and below carbon sequestration

DISTRIBUTION OF DOMINANT TREE SPECIES AND ITS RELEVANCE TO CARBON

SEQUESTRATION
In any carbon inventory project on above ground biomass, the main focus is paid to the dominant species of living
trees in the project areas. Pune University campus was almost a homogeneous foforest. The field surveys revealed that
the Pune University campus was dominated by Dalbergiamelanoxylon and Gliricidiasepium,
Gliricidiasepium covering 77% of the
campus. These were followed by Ficusbenghalensis, Samaniasaman, Cocosnucifera and Delonixregia.
Delonixregia Numerically,
Dalbergiamelanoxylon stands as the most dominant species having 57% of the counted species in the campus (Fig.
5). It was followed by Gliricidiasepium which covers 20% of the green standing biomass of the study area (Fig. 5).
In terms of amount of carbon sequestration
questration Dalbergiamelanoxylon (49%) was recorded as the most dominant
species followed by Gliricidiasepium amounting 31% of carbon sequestration. Samaniasaman,
Samaniasaman Ficusbengalensis,
Cocosnucifera,, and some other species follow Dalbergia and Gliricidia, in terms of amount of carbon sequestration
in its biomass (Fig. 6).

Fig. 5, Species dominancy in the Campus

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Fig. 6. Sequestration of Carbon in dominant species

The distribution of DalbergiamelanoxylonandGliricidiasepium;

Dalbergiamelanoxylon and the amount of carbon sequestration by these
speciesare illustrated in Figure 7 and 8, respectively.Dalbergiamelanoxylon showed maximum sequestration at
Shivaji garden site, opposite of Botany Department, Range hills and to some extent in Q-
Q building, representing its
dominance. Multiple trunk formation and high wood density were the main reasons of high carbon sequestration.
The distribution and amount of carbon sequestration by Gliricidiasepium has been shown in the figure 6.
Accordingly, Gliricildia has dominated species at Range hills, whereas areas such as Q-building,
building, Shivajigardedn and
Gen. Joshi gate sites showed lower sequestration by Gliricidiasepium.

Fig 6, 7.Distribution of dominant species in the study area

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CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the importance and applicability of GISin better assessment and easier understanding of
carbon inventory projects at baseline level. Such assessments can be used further for monitoring periodical
sequestration.The study of above and below ground carbon sequestration highlithed the importance of urban
forestsnot only as an onamental greenplantations, but as an important, and in a better word, vital carbon pools in
Pune as a fast developing city in India.

Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful to Dr. D.M. Mahajan and Dr. V.R. Gunale, for guidance for carbon sequestration work at
Pune University campus. They are thankful to President , BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune for
encouragement in present work. Prof. (Mrs.) S.M. Rajurkar, Head, Department of Environmental Science, Pune
University for keen interest in carbon sequestration work.

REFERENCES

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