The Urban Trees of India (UTI): A Database of Trees in Built-Up Areas of India

Urbanization is causing irreversible changes in land cover and driving environmental alterations. Tree species have been an integral part of urban India, and their demand is expected to grow rapidly with the fast pace of urbanization in recent decades. However, the absence of a comprehensive database on Indian urban tree species limits the assessment of the positive feedback loop in terms of urban growth. The Urban Trees of India (UTI) database documents tree species that grow in urban areas across India. It can potentially address dynamic questions related to the distribution, ecology, and biogeography of urban tree species, facilitating effective conservation and management. The UTI database includes taxonomic classification, nativity, foliage retention, and IUCN Red List status for 742 urban tree species in India. The database comprises 7,646 tree species records from 380 urban areas in 32 Indian states and Union Territories (UT). The curation of the UTI database will substantially contribute to a better understanding of ecological functionality and urban ecosystem management.