Asian Journal of Probability and Statistics

Urban parks play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and providing green spaces that enhance the mental well-being of urban residents. Vadodara, one of the top four metropolitan cities in Gujarat, has expanded its horizon exponentially over the past decades. There are more than 75 urban parks scattered throughout the city. It is interesting to know about the biodiversity of the urban parks in the city. Understanding the biodiversity of these parks is essential for ecological conservation and sustainable urban planning. This study aims to conduct a biodiversity study of 43 urban parks in the city. Out of the total 75 parks, only those having an area of more than 5000 square meters were selected for the present study, assessing the distribution of species in terms of richness and evenness. Therefore, four key biodiversity indices are calculated. To explore species similarity and ecological clustering, two clustering algorithms were applied. The optimal distance metric for each clustering method was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation method, ensuring the most accurate representation of the species relationships. Based on the best-performing distance metric, graphical visualizations were created to interpret the grouping of species within urban parks. The results highlight key biodiversity patterns across the north, east, and west. Since the diversity of species is high, whether the south zone has less species diversity, this study will help to elucidate the sustainability of the urban ecosystem and also be helpful in urban planning and biodiversity conservation in Vadodara.