Article

Introduction

Davangere, located in the heart of Karnataka, derives its name from the Kannada words “Davana kere”, meaning “village of the lake”, spanning around 5,924 Sq. kms. Initially, Davangere university operated as a post-graduate center under the University of Mysore until 1987, and later became affiliated to Kuvempu university until 2009. On August 18, 2009, it gained autonomy, becoming an independent institution. Situated at Tholahunse Shivagangotri campus, the university is approximately 9 km from Davangere city.

The district experiences a semi-arid climate throughout the year, characterised by prolonged dry periods and hot summers. The southwest monsoon contributes about 58% of the total annual rainfall, while the northeast monsoon contributes approximately 22%. The remaining 20% of rainfall is received as sporadic showers during the months of summer. Davangere receives low to moderate rainfall, with a normal annual rainfall of approximately 641 mm. These climatic conditions support a diverse assemblage of drought-tolerant and tropical tree species adapted to seasonal variations in temperature and moisture availability.

The university campus spans around 73 acres, showcasing a diverse array of flora that have adapted to the tropical environment and habitat. The campus features a mix of naturally occurring and intentionally cultivated tree species, serving both research and aesthetic purposes. The Department of Studies in Botany has been instrumental in enriching the campus floral diversity, continuously introducing new species and promoting a thriving botanical ecosystem. This dedication has transformed the campus into a vibrant oasis, showcasing the beauty and resilience of tropical plant life.

 However, comprehensive inventories of tree species are lacking for many educational institutions. Documentation of campus flora is therefore necessary to understand species richness, dominance patterns, and conservation status. Such information is valuable for planning conservation strategies, developing botanical gardens, promoting environmental awareness, and strengthening green-campus initiatives [1].   To the best of our knowledge, no published study has specifically documented the tree species diversity and floristic composition of Shivagangotri Campus. So, the present study was undertaken to assess and document the floristic diversity of tree species in the Shivagangotri campus of Davangere University, Karnataka. The objectives were to identify and catalogue the tree species present on the campus, evaluate their abundance and family representation, and document their conservation status. The findings of this study provide a valuable baseline database for future biodiversity assessments and highlight the significance of university campuses as reservoirs of urban plant diversity.

Materials and methods

1. Study area:

The study area encompasses Shivagangotri campus, Davangere university. The campus stands on an area covering approximately 73 acres, located in 14°23’24”N to 14°23’38”N latitude, and 75°57’34”E to 75°57’55”E longitude, with an altitude of 539 m. This study helps in understanding the diversity of trees, and the area was surveyed during the month of January 2024 to June 2024 [Fig. Ⅰ.].

2. Data collection procedure:

1. Field observation:
2. Visual features:  Determine tree species by observing and analysing their distinctive characteristics, including leaf morphology, configuration, hue, floral architecture, fruit and seed characteristics, and overall plant morphology [2].

• Field guides and keys: The specimens were identified with the help of flora (Bhandari 1978 [5], Cooke 1903 [7], Gamble 1919 [10], Gamble 1994 [11], Hooker, J. D. 1875 [12], Jain S. P. 1979 [13], Kotresha & Sidananda 2016 [16], Kumar S. 2001 [17], Manjunath et al. 2004 [18], Ramaswamy & Razi 1973 [24], Saldanha & Nicolson 1976 [28], Saldanha 1984 and 1996 [27], Sharma et al. 1984 [33], Sharma 1985 [34], Singh 1988 [37], Seetharam et al. 2002 [31], Seetharam et al. 2018 [32]). Bentham and hooker system of classification was followed [4].

• Picture collection: To assist in species identification and verification, photographs of the plants were captured in their natural habitat, providing a visual record for subsequent examination and confirmation by a taxonomic expert.

• Expert consultation: We consulted Dr. Haleshi C., Assistant Professor, Department of Studies in Botany, Davangere University, a renowned taxonomist with extensive expertise in plant taxonomy, for the confirmation and authentication of the recorded species.

• Recording data: We utilised field guides and taxonomic keys to accurately identify plant species, meticulously recording both their vernacular names and scientific nomenclature. Additionally, we conducted a manual count to document the abundance of each species within the study area, ensuring a comprehensive and precise record of the tree population.

Results and discussion

The present investigation documented 68 tree species belonging to 33 families with a total of 710 individual trees distributed across the Shivagangotri campus of Davangere University, indicating considerable floristic richness within a relatively small urban university landscape. The predominance of tree diversity within the 73-acre campus demonstrates that educational institutions can function as important repositories of urban biodiversity while simultaneously providing ecological, educational, and conservation benefits. The documented diversity is noteworthy considering that the study area is situated in the semi-arid region of central Karnataka, where climatic conditions are generally characterised by limited annual rainfall and prolonged dry periods.

Among the recorded taxa, Fabaceae emerged as the dominant family with 15 species, followed by Moraceae (7 species), while Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae, and Rubiaceae were represented by three species each [Fig. Ⅳ.]. Similar dominance of Fabaceae has been consistently reported in floristic investigations conducted across Karnataka. Studies at the GKVK Biodiversity Heritage Site, Bengaluru, reported Fabaceae among the dominant families supporting high woody species diversity [38]. Likewise, floristic investigations at Jnana Tunga Campus, Raichur, documented Fabaceae as the largest family comprising 45 species, followed by Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae [30]. Similar observations were made in Karnatak College, Dharwad, where Fabaceae represented 44 species and constituted the most dominant family [15]. Furthermore, the recent survey of Karnatak University, Dharwad, also identified Fabaceae as the richest family with 41 tree species [19]. The repeated dominance of Fabaceae across university campuses can be attributed to their remarkable ecological adaptability, nitrogen-fixing capability, drought tolerance, rapid establishment, and extensive use in urban landscaping and afforestation programmes [14].

Species abundance analysis revealed that Pongamia pinnata was the most dominant tree with 76 individuals, followed by Monoon longifolium (60), Tectona grandis (55), Syzygium cumini (47), Balanites aegyptiaca (42), and Azadirachta indica (37) [Table 1 & Fig.Ⅱ.]. These species are widely planted throughout southern India because of their multiple ecological and economic functions. Pongamia pinnata is recognised for its drought tolerance, nitrogen-fixing ability, shade production, and biofuel potential, making it highly suitable for semi-arid landscapes [8,9]. Likewise, Monoon longifolium is extensively planted as an avenue and ornamental tree because of its rapid growth and narrow crown architecture, whereas Tectona grandis is valued for its commercial timber. The abundance of these species reflects intentional plantation strategies adopted by the university to combine ecological restoration with landscape beautification and educational utility [20,26].

Compared with other university campuses, the Shivagangotri campus possesses relatively lower overall species richness than larger campuses such as Karnatak University (223 tree species) [19], Karnatak College (303 plant species) [15], Jnana Tunga Campus (295 plant species) [30], Kuvempu University campus (69 plant species) [21]. However, these campuses extend over substantially larger geographical areas and encompass multiple habitat types, including botanical gardens, scrub forests, plantations, and natural woodlands. In contrast, the Shivagangotri campus occupies only about 73 acres, yet supports a comparatively high tree diversity, suggesting efficient land management and sustained plantation activities. Therefore, species richness should be interpreted relative to campus size and habitat heterogeneity rather than by absolute species numbers alone.

The Family Value Index (FVI) is an important quantitative measure for evaluating the ecological significance and dominance of plant families within a vegetation community based on their relative representation and abundance [29]. In the present study, the FVI demonstrated the ecological importance of Fabaceae within the campus vegetation, with higher FVI values indicating greater ecological dominance associated with higher species richness and abundance [Fig. III]. Similar interpretations have been reported using Importance Value Index (IVI) and family dominance analyses in GKVK and Karnatak University studies, where dominant taxa largely determined the structural composition of the vegetation [19,38]. The observed family dominance therefore reflects both ecological adaptation and anthropogenic planting preferences.

One of the notable findings of the present investigation is the high representation of medicinally important tree species. Species such as Azadirachta indica, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia arjuna, Santalum album, Senna auriculata, and Moringa oleifera possess well-documented pharmacological properties and continue to play significant roles in traditional Indian medicine [36, 23]. The coexistence of numerous medicinal species within a university campus enhances opportunities for botanical education, pharmacognostic research, conservation awareness, and sustainable utilisation. Similar observations have been reported from the Biodiversity Heritage Site of GKVK [38], where medicinal plants constitute an important component of campus biodiversity, and from Jnanabharathi Campus, Bengaluru, where native medicinal herbs contribute significantly to ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation [39].

The presence of economically important timber species including Tectona grandis, Swietenia mahagoni, Gmelina arborea, Pongamia pinnata, and Santalum album further enhances the ecological and socioeconomic value of the campus vegetation. Simultaneously, ornamental species such as Monoon longifolium, Bougainvillaea glabra, Tecoma stans, Millingtonia hortensis, and Ixora coccinea [Table. 1] improve landscape aesthetics while providing habitat and food resources for urban birds, insects, and pollinators. Such multifunctional vegetation increases ecological resilience and contributes to improved microclimatic conditions, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services within university environments [19].

An important conservation outcome of the present study is the occurrence of several globally threatened species, including Santalum album (Vulnerable), Araucaria araucana, Hyophorbe indica, and Tecomella undulata (Endangered). The conservation of threatened taxa within educational institutions represents an effective ex-situ conservation strategy that complements natural habitat protection. Similar conservation initiatives have been successfully implemented through the establishment of endemic arboreta at Mangalore University for preserving threatened Western Ghats flora [35]. The inclusion of threatened and native species within campus plantations therefore substantially increases the conservation value of the Shivagangotri campus.

Overall, the present study demonstrates that the Shivagangotri campus functions as an important urban green space supporting diverse native, cultivated, medicinal, ornamental, and economically valuable tree species. Although the campus is smaller than several other universities in Karnataka, its high tree diversity, representation of threatened taxa, and dominance of ecologically significant families underscore its importance as a centre for biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and ecological research. Continued enrichment planting using native species, regular biodiversity monitoring, and establishment of a dedicated botanical garden would further strengthen the campus as a model green university and contribute to long-term conservation of university floristic diversity.

Conclusion

The Shivagangotri campus is nestled within a vibrant tapestry of flora, boasting an impressive array of plant species. Our survey revealed 68 species spanning 33 families, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard and cultivate this botanical treasure trove. Establishing a botanical garden on campus would not only preserve this biodiversity but also provide a valuable resource for the academic community, including Botany students, research scholars, and lecturers, as well as the forest department. Despite having ample space, its potential remains untapped. It is imperative that we capitalize on this opportunity to optimize our campus natural assets and further enrich its diversity, fostering a thriving hub for botanical exploration and discovery.

Several species identified during the survey possess considerable medicinal and economic value. Azadirachta indica is widely recognised for its antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties, while Syzygium cumini & Senna auriculata is extensively used in traditional medicine for the management of diabetes [3,22]. Terminalia arjuna is valued for its cardioprotective properties [25], and Santalum album is renowned for its medicinal, aromatic, and commercial importance [6]. Timber-producing species such as Tectona grandis, Swietenia mahagoni, and Gmelina arborea contribute substantially to the economic value of the campus flora. Furthermore, the occurrence of threatened species such as Santalum album (Vulnerable), Araucaria araucana (Endangered), Hyophorbe indica (Endangered), and Tecomella undulata (Endangered) highlights the conservation significance of the campus and emphasizes the need for their protection and sustainable management.

Acknowledgment

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Department of Studies in Botany for all their help in conducting a survey and providing us with the necessary resources to identify different tree species.

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