The Value of Ecosystem Services by the Trees in the Cities of India: A Synthesis

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Indian cities are currently facing several challenges due to the abrupt increase in urbanization and global climate changes. Since human development is an inevitable part of civilization that is rapidly increasing at unprecedented rates; therefore, demands for natural resources have gone up many folds to ensure the survival of human beings. Among urban ecosystems, trees play a vital role in stabilizing nature and provide several essential ecosystem services such as water and air purification, noise reduction, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, food supply, wildlife habitat. At this time, we are moving toward a new urban period in which the ecology of our world as a whole is mainly influenced by both natural and anthropogenic activities with more outstanding contributions from the latter side. Therefore, urbanization presents fundamental challenges and provides new opportunities to boost the resilience and functioning of ecosystem. Through a review of several global works of literature concerning ecosystem services, this article highlights the ecosystem services values provided by the trees in some prominent cities of India. Various ecosystem services have been examined like air filtration, carbon sequestration, surface runoff mitigation, noise reduction, temperature regulation, climate regulation etc. We concluded that ecosystem services have a substantial impact on the quality of life in urban areas. The ecosystem services concept can play a crucial role in interconnecting cities globally.