Top 20 Common Species of Trees and their abundance in the city of Karachi
According to a study conducted in 2020, Abundance and Species of Common Trees in Karachi were assessed using DBH method in Karachi, Pakistan. All of the data recorded is presented here in tabular form for the ease to the investigators, urban planners, and students. Most common found trees were Conocarpus erectus, followed by Cocos nucifera and Guaiacum officinale. These Trees were recorded in city areas specially public parks. All the local names are also mentioned. Importance of urban trees in a locality is certain.
Karachi is the biggest city in Pakistan and is an economic hub. It is considered the most populous city in the country population due to the highest immigration rate and has around 20 million on record and 36 million unofficially. Karachi hosts people from all parts of the country provides livelihood and welcomes them with an open arm irrespective of their age, gender, education, religion, caste, and domicile (see map of Karachi). Management of green spaces is very necessary for the city. mass plantation is required with high diversity of tress to make city clean and habitable for the city locals.
| S.No | Trees Scientific names | Abundance % | Local names |
| 1 | Conocarpus erectus | 39.39 | Buttonwood or Silver buttonwood |
| 2 | Cocos nucifera | 25.70 | Coconut palm |
| 3 | Guaiacum officinale | 10.86 | Lignum vitae |
| 4 | Azadirachta indica | 7.38 | Neem |
| 5 | Eucalyptus | 2.40 | Eucalyptus |
| 6 | Thespesia | 1.82 | Māilo |
| 7 | Cordia sebestena | 1.41 | Geiger tree |
| 8 | Ficus virens | 1.41 | White fig |
| 9 | Tamarindus indica | 1.33 | Tamarind |
| 10 | Moringa oleifera | 1.24 | Moringa |
| 11 | Ficus religiosa | 1.16 | Peepal tree or Sacred fig |
| 12 | Mangifera indica | 1.00 | Mango tree |
| 13 | Phoenix dactylifera | 0.91 | Date palm |
| 14 | Albizia lebbeck | 0.75 | Siris tree or Frywood |
| 15 | Melia azedarach | 0.66 | Chinaberry or Bead tree |
| 16 | Plumeria rubra | 0.66 | Frangipani or Temple tree |
| 17 | Terminalia catappa | 0.66 | Indian almond or Tropical almond |
| 18 | Araucaria cunninghamii | 0.41 | Hoop pine |
| 19 | Cassia fistula | 0.41 | Golden shower tree |
| 20 | Polyalthia longifolia | 0.41 | Mast tree or False ashoka |
Benefits of urban forest in a city
there are numerous benefits of these trees, provided to the city of Karachi such as:
- Trees cool the atmosphere of the city
- Trees does atmospheric detoxification
- Urban forests reduces flood risk and erosion
- Trees do purification of water
- Urban trees improves biodiversity locally
- City trees help in energy cost-cutting
How does an urban forest benefit humans?
Tree has a lot of advantages not only for the environment but for the people who are living in cities as well. Urban forests provide various ecosystem services like wood medicine fuel and food that are crucial for the well-being of humans living nearby. Urban forestry can also increase the recreational opportunities for the people in the form of parks, gardens, and trails which facilitate the physical and mental health of people. Urban forestry is just not very healthy in maintaining social and community engagement and it also provides a static and economic value to cities with cheap investment.
