Study Reveals Native Trees Outperform Invasive Species in Carbon Storage and Cooling Effects in Delhi
Delhi’s roadside trees are cooling roads but failing carbon goals: JNU study
Hindustan Times
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A study from Jawaharlal Nehru University highlights that while roadside trees in Delhi reduce temperatures by up to 2.24°C, invasive species like vilayati kikar and subabul have significantly lower carbon storage capacities compared to native species. The research advocates for planting more native trees to enhance ecological benefits and urban cooling.
- 01Native trees in Delhi's roadside green spaces store significantly more carbon than invasive species.
- 02Air temperature reductions from roadside trees can reach up to 2.24°C.
- 03Invasive species like vilayati kikar and subabul account for nearly 50% of the vegetation but offer minimal ecological benefits.
- 04The study emphasizes the need for diverse native tree plantations to improve urban cooling and air quality.
- 05Management of invasive species is crucial for enhancing the ecological effectiveness of urban green spaces.
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A recent study conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi found that roadside trees can lower air temperatures by up to 2.24°C and land surface temperatures by 3.80°C to 8.37°C. However, the invasive tree species vilayati kikar (Prosopis juliflora) and subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) have a much lower carbon storage capacity compared to native species. Among the native trees studied, chamror (Ehretia laevis) was found to store the most carbon at 6.20 tC/m2. The study, titled “Roadside green spaces: role of tree diversity in carbon storage and thermal comfort,” highlights the ecological harm caused by invasive species and advocates for the planting of native trees to enhance urban cooling and carbon sequestration. It emphasizes that a diverse selection of native species can significantly improve air quality and thermal comfort in urban areas. The study suggests that invasive species management should be integrated into urban green space policies to maximize ecological benefits and improve the effectiveness of roadside green spaces.
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The findings suggest that increasing the planting of native trees could significantly enhance urban cooling and improve air quality in Delhi, which is crucial given the city's heat stress.
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