• Dr. Nisha R. Choudhari
• Dr. D.M. Mahajan
• Dr. V.R. Gunale
• Dr. M.G. Chaskar

The exotic plant species occurs virtually in all urban ecosystems. The exotic plant species were planted in urban areas with the aim of rapid greening that has resulted in rapid alteration of land use. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (Pune, India) area is no exception to this. During the field surveys 8,586 individual trees (67 species) of exotics were documented in sampled area (181 km2). Total numbers of native trees were 2,757 in sampled area. After comparing between exotic and native species among four zones (residential, industrial, roadside and garden); the contribution of exotic species in carbon sequestration was more (1957.67 t) than the native ones (445.52 t). The overall biomass carbon was higher in exotic species (81%) than native ones (19%). The amount of carbon accumulated in individual trees showed higher variation among exotic and native species. Small tree size and low wood density results in less amount of carbon storage. These exotic species counted were high in number but most of these trees were of younger age (31 years old plantation started from 1983-2014). The gardens were developed on the barren land as well as old forest land (PCMC ESR, 2013-14) where the major vegetation was native trees. The biomass of individual exotic trees was not so high but altogether their carbon accumulation was higher (81%) than native species (19%). Homogenous plantations (Leucaena leucocephala) were preferred by respective authorities in all zones. The carbon sequestration potential (488.89 t/year) of such woody exotic species has added the advantage in this regard.

Exotic species, native species, wood density, biomass carbon sequestration

"EXOTIC VERSUS NATIVE PLANT SPECIES ROLE IN URBAN BIOMASS CARBON SEQUESTRATION", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.206-213, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907G74.pdf

"EXOTIC VERSUS NATIVE PLANT SPECIES ROLE IN URBAN BIOMASS CARBON SEQUESTRATION", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp206-213, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907G74.pdf