Urban Green Campus as Atmospheric Carbon Sink: Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur
Abstract:
Deforestation has led to a noticeable decline in forest areas, making the restoration of forest trees increasingly difficult at the current pace of degradation. Urban trees, however, continue to play a crucial role in our environ ment by producing oxygen and fixing CO2 from the atmosphere through carbon sequestration. This contribution to enhancing air quality is often overlooked. Unfortunately, the health of urban greenery is on the decline, yet the Dhanamanjuri University and surrounding campuses frequently stand out as exceptions. Their expansive grounds alongside dedicated administrative efforts, help maintain a vibrant green space. This study highlights the impor tance of exploring the diverse tree species found on campuses and understanding their role as carbon sinks through both carbon sequestration and oxygen generation. In this study examining 124 different tree species found in the Dhanamanjuri University campus, it is found that Eucalyptus mannifera has the highest carbon sequestration po tential while Citrus lemon ranks the lowest. Notably, Enterolobium cyclocarpum stands out as the most important tree for carbon sequestration on the Dhana manjuri University campus in Imphal. Their abundance contributes significantly to CO2 fixation and oxygen pro duction. Thus, the trees on the campus of Dhanamanjuri University in Imphal represent a significant asset to the urban landscape of the city.
