ID: 51472
Title: Forest Type Mapping using Object-specific Texture Measures from Multispectral Ikonos Imagery: Segmentation Quality and Image Classification Issues
Author: Minho Kim, Marguerite Madden, and Timothy A. Warner
Editor: Russell G.Congalton
Year: 2009
Publisher: ASPRS, Vol 75, No 7, July 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing
Keywords: geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA), Grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) , Digital numbers (DNs), Kappa, evergreen and mixed forest
Abstract: This study investigated the use of a geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) approach with the incorporation of object-specific grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture measures from a multispectral Ikonos image for delineation of deciduous, evergreen, and mixed forest types in Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, North Carolina. A series of automated segmentations was produced at a range of scales, each resulting in an associated range of number and size of objects ( or segments). Prior to classification, the spatial autocorrelation of each segmentation was evaluated by calculating Moran ' s I using the average image digital numbers (DNs) per segment. An initial assumption was made that the optimal segmentation scales would have the lowest spatial autocorrelation, and conversely, that over-and under - segmentation would result in higher autocorrelation between segments. At these optimal segmentation scales, the automated segmentation was found to yield information comparable to manually interpreted stand-level forest maps in terms of the size and number of segements. A series of object-based classifications was carried out on the image at the entire range of segmentation scales. The results demonstrated that the scale of segmentation directly influenced tha object-based forest type classification results. The accuracies were higher for classification of images identified from a spatial autocorrelation analysis to have an optimal segmentation, compared to those determined to have over-and under-segmentation. An overall accuracy of 79 percent with a Kappa of 0.65 was obtained at the optimal segmentation scale of 19. The addition of object-specific GLCM multiple texture analysis improved classification accuracies up to a value of 83 percent overall accuracy and a Kappa of 0.71 by reducing the confusion between evergreen and mixed forest types. Although some misclassification still remained because of local segementation quality, a visual assessment of the texture-enhanced GEOBIA classification generally agreeable with the manually interpreted forest types.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51471
Title: GIS Analysis of Global Impacts from Sea Level Rise
Author: Xingong Li, Rex j. Rowley, John C.Kosteinick, David Braaten, Joshua Meisel, and Kalonie Hulbutta
Editor: Russell G.Congalton
Year: 2009
Publisher: ASPRS, Vol 75, No 7, July 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Sea level rise, Coastal regions, Susceptible areas, forest and grassland
Abstract: Future sea level rise caused by climate change would disrupt the physical processes, economic activities, and social systems in coastal regions. Based on a hypothetical global sea level increase of one to six meters, we developed GIS methods to assess and visualize the global impacts of potential inundation using the best available global datasets. After susceptible areas were delineated, we estimated that the size of the areas is between 1.055 (one meter) to 2.193 million Km2 ( six meters). Population in the susceptible areas was estimated to range from 108 (one meter) to 431 million (six meters) people. Among the seven land-cover types in the susceptible areas, forest and grassland account for more than 60 percent for all the increments of sea level rise. A suite of interactive visualization products was also developed to understand and communicate the ramifications of potential sea level rise.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51470
Title: An Accuracy Index with Positional and Thematic Fuzzy Bounds for Land-use/Land-covvver Maps
Author: Stephane Courturier, Jean-Francois Mas, Gabriela Cuevas, Jorge Benitez, Alvaro Vega-Guzman, and Valdemar Coria-Tapia
Editor: Russell G.Congalton
Year: 2009
Publisher: ASPRS, Vol 75, No 7, July 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing
Keywords: LULC maps, Complex landscapes
Abstract: This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for the accuracyd assessment of taxonomically diverse LULC maps. A widely accepted difficulty in assessing such maps is associated with the vagueness in the interpretation of complex landscapes. For every class of the map, this method quantified the thematic and positional fuzziness of accuracy, induced by this difficulty. The labeling protocol consisted of a fuzzy comparison between the map and a reference maplet, for which degrees of positional and thematic tolerance can be user-defined. The construction of reference maplets permitted a flexible analysis (comparable with the assessment of other maps) of the positional fuzziness of the reference dataset and of the vagueness of the assessment process, while the alternate evaluation protocol, based o traditional point like data collection, did not allow such analysis.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51469
Title: GeoSAR and DBInSAR: Combining "X" with "P" for Tropical Forest "C"
Author: Mark L. Williams and L.G.Jenkins
Editor: Russell G.Congalton
Year: 2009
Publisher: ASPRS, Vol 75, No 7, July 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing
Keywords: New global currency: Carbon, Greenhouse gas, REDD, Tropical forest
Abstract: Recent and anticipated policy changes in the U.S and abroad are moving the world closer to a new global currency: carbon. As an increasingly valuable commodity, governments around the world are promoting carbon-trading programs to help curb greenhouse gas emissions. Protection of tropical forests is key to this concept. Holding upto 40 percent of the world ' s vegetation -based carbon stock, loss and degradation of tropical forests is a major contributor to anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) initiative of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change proposes performance-based incentives to reverse these high rates of emission through large-scale tropical forest conservation. Forest inventory and land-cover change detection will be an essential part of any such program. While best practices for gathering these data have yet to be determined, current research indicated that a remote sensing approach should support efficient and effective monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon stocks among tropical forest regions.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51468
Title: Marine
Author: Ramakrishna and K.Venkataraman
Editor: Director, Zoological Survey of India
Year: 2002
Publisher: Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Ecosystems of India
Keywords: Marine and coastal biological diversity, coral reefs,crustaceans, molluscs,worms, Invertebrates
Abstract: Marine and coastal biological diversity encompasses the enormous variety of marine and coastal species and their genetic variety, the global oceans cornucopia of living resources, myriad coastal and open sea habitats and ecosystems, and the wealth of ecological processes that support all of these. The oceans cover over 70% of the planet ' s surface area and account for 99% of the volume that is known to sustain life. Coastal ecosystems, such as, tidal flats (sea-shores), coastal wetlands, viz., backwaters, estuaries, lagoons and mangrove forests also harbour significant diversity and are highly valuable for coastal communities. Much of the world ' s of biodiversity is found in highly diverse marine and coastal habitats. These habitats range from tidal flats and shallow coral reefs to the dark ocean floor ' s soft sediments thousands of meters below the water surface. While the total number of described marine species is smaller than that found on land, scientists are continually discovering new concentrations of diversity. Coral reefs are already known to be among the richest habitats in species diversity on the planet. The deep sea bottom, dark and subjected to tremendous pressure, is now thought to be a dwelling pace for thousands, perhaps millions of species of small invertebrate animals including crustaceans, molluscs and worms. In recent years, scientists exploring the dim middle depths have discovered numerous new species that compose almost unknown, yet apparently productive ecosystems (De Fontaubert et al., 1996). Until today marine biodiversity is less well known that terrestrial biodiversity due to the difficulty in access and expense. We know astonishingly little about marine life, even in the most familiar seascapes. For instance, scientists have identified twenty-two phyla of meiofauna, two of which were identified only in the past two decades. These animals, barely visible to the naked eye, live on grains of coastal and ocean-bottom sands. Up to 10,000 such animals can be found in single handful of wet sands. Thousands of species may live in soft bottom sands off the Atlantic coast of Canada. Yet only recently have scientists begun to suspect the important role they play in marine ecosystems. They are a major source of food for shrimp and bottom feeding fish and they consume detrius and pollutants in seawater that filters through coastal and near shore sands.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51467
Title: Mangroves
Author: A.K.Das
Editor: Director, Zoological Survey of India
Year: 2002
Publisher: Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Ecosystems of India
Keywords: Littora forest ecosystem, estuaries, manglar, mangau, cyclone
Abstract: Mangroves represent a characteristic littoral forest ecosystem, dominated by some specially adapted salt-tolerant plant community that grow at land-sea interphase and border sheltered sea-coasts and estuaries of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The word ' magro ' was orginally the common name for a particular plant species, Rhizophora mangle in Surinam. In the Spanish ' manglar ' signifies the formation of ' mangles ' or mangrove formation. In Portugal ' mangle ' is used for plant community and ' mangau ' for individual trees. In this context and to bring uniformity in usage Macne (1968) suggested the term ' mangroves ' for the plant species and ' mangal ' for the mangrove forest community. The same is generally followed by the present day mangrove researchers. The mangrove forests comprise a diverse composition of trees and shrubs which exhibit unique adaptation to an environment which is periodically innundated by saltwater from one side and fresh water from the other. These plants are well adapted to encounter higher salinity, oppressive heat and tidal extremes. They can grow well in water logged and anaerobic saline soils of coastal environment where no other group of terrestrial plants can survive. Mangrove ecosystem is highly productive and exchanges matter and energy with adjacent terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This ecosystem constitutes an important reservior and refuse of rich microbial, floral and faunal components and, feeding and breading grounds of large number of commercially important and ecologically significant animal species. The recent devastating cyclone in Orissa has clearly demonstrated the remarkable role of mangrove vegetation in shore line protection. The supercyclone almost ruined the coastal region of Orissa. But, it had only a marginal impact on the coastal sanctuary of Bhitarkanika which harbours luxuriant mangrove forests.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51466
Title: Estuaries
Author: C.A.Nageswara Rao
Editor: Director, Zoological Survey of India
Year: 2002
Publisher: Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Ecosystems of India
Keywords: River, Sea, Tides, Estuary,
Abstract: At and near the mouth of the river, where it meets the sea, a dynamic and distinct environment prevails. Here the river water mixes with the sea water, and the tides in regular recurring rythms push in and out in the eternal ebb and flow. This transitional ecotone which is the confluence of the river and the sea is the estuary. The Oxford dictionary defines it briefly as the tidal mouth of a large river. But estuaries are of different sizes and shapes. In reality, an estuary is a semienclosed coastal body of water which has a free connection with the open sea and within which the sea water is measurably diluted with freshwater derived form land drainage (Pritchard, 1967). However, this definition excludes those estuaries, which are temporarily cut off from the sea during the dry season and the estuaries which far from being diluted with seawater become hypersaline when evaporation exceeds freshwater inflow. In view of the above, Day (1981) defined an estuary as a partially enclosed coastal body of water which is either permanently or periodically open to the sea and within which there is a measurable variation of salinity due to the mixture of sea water with freshwater derived from land drainage. Being at the confluence of the river with the sea this environment naturally has the interaction of the sea, river and land characterised by variable gradients in physico-chemical factors. These in turn influence and determine the nature of living organisms of this area. Among the physico-chemical factors,the nature of substratum, the extent of tidal influence, the nature and distribution of salinity, the type of sediments, dissolved oxygen content of water, pH, temperature, amount of organic matter, the nature and extent of pollution among others are important (Balakrishnan Nair, 1987). Estuaries are beautiful areas of our planet, situated as they are, between land and sea, play a dynamic role in the mixing, circulation, sedimentation and water dynamics. Penetrated by the sea through the recurring tides and flushed by the freshwater outflows of the lotic systems an estuary is indeed a very dynamic ecotone where freshwater mix with the sea water and these areas witnessed by the lush verdure of mangal forests (mangroves) that fringe this area. Blessed by the fertile flows of the both sea and rivers, these fascinating biotopes are by far the most productive ecosystems on our planet, the abode of unique species of plants and animals,the cradle of several species of fin fish, the nursery of commercially important shrimps, prawns and crabs and the natural habitat of various other invertebrates (Balakrishnan Nair, 1987). Estuaries have also been witnessing for ages and serving as high-ways for the phenomenal and spectacular instinctive migrations of such anadromous fishes as the Hilsa and Salmon from the sea to freshwater and the catadromus fishes like the eels from freshwater to sea during the reproductive cycles. These fascinating semi-enclosed and sheltered bodies of water have been since the dawn of history, the focal points of maritime activities culminating in the commercial, social and cultural interaction between the nations. No wonder most of the great cities of the world, have developed around the estuaries. The process of mixing of fresh and salt waters in the estuary determines the ecology of tidal streams so much so the distribution of salinity. The incidence and relative abundance of organisms, movement of planktonic populations, the fisheries, etc., depend to a great extent on the nature of circulation of fresh and salt water. Studies of ecology of estuaries is beset with difficulties since no two estuaries are alike. Interaction of so many variables and differences in the physico-chemical and meteorological parameters, that exist in different regions of the country considerably add up to the problem. This aspect makes generalisation some what difficult necessitating detailed studies on each estuary.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51465
Title: Wetlands : Brackishwater
Author: N.C.Nandi
Editor: Director, Zoological Survey of India
Year: 2002
Publisher: Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Ecosystems of India
Keywords: Brackishwater, freshwater, Salt water, sprawling estuaries, river, sea, intertidal salt marshes, salt meadows, mangrove swamps,Brackishwater lagoons, brackishwater lakes, brackishwater impoundments
Abstract: Water, be it fresh, brackish or salt, is one of the most important inputs in sustaining life. Besides being a constituent, it influences almost all biophysiological processes of plants and animals. Of the three broad categories, brackishwater is the admixture of freshwater and salt water and accordingly the low-lying inland areas, natural or man-made, located within the country, having such a mixed type of water is termed as inland brackishwater wetlands. It includes the sprawling estuaries at the confluence of the river system with the sea; large lagoons, brackishwater lakes and backwaters; intertidal mud, sand or salt flats; intertidal salt marshes and salt meadows; salt pans and salines as well as brackishwater impoundments and the vast areas of mangrove swamps containing tidal waters of fluctuating salinity. However, leaving estuarine wetlands and mangroves, as assigned, this paper concentrates on aspects related to brackishwater lagoons, lakes and impoundments as well as backwaters. These four categories of brackishwater wetland habitats are defined as follows:
(1) Brackishwater lagoons: Large, shallow inland, natural brackish or salt water lakes connected or separated from the sea by dunes.
(2) Brackishwater lakes: Large, shallow, inland body of brakishwater, usually natural, containing standing water, not connected with sea.
(3) Brackishwater impoundments:Man made brackishwater ponds including fish ponds and shrimp ponds.
(4) Backwaters: Currentless, usually coastal, water held back by dam etc., beside streams, rivers and estuaries, is known as backwaters.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51464
Title: Wetlands:Freshwater
Author: J.R.B.Alfred and N.C.Nandi
Editor: Director, Zoological Survey of India
Year: 2002
Publisher: Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Ecosystems of India
Keywords: Habitats, Ramsar Convention, IUCN, hydric soils, saturate
Abstract: Wetlands have been defined by more than fifty different ways to include a wide spectrum of habitats. The 1971 Ramsar Convention has defined wetlands as ' areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres".The above IUCN definition, however, fails to specify parameters in case of inland waters. To classify these inland waterbodies the following definition of Cowardin et al. (1979) of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is useful. "The wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water". The term wetlands include a wide range of inland, coastal and marine habitats which should have th following three essential attributes:
? An area which is permanently or periodically inundated for at least seven successive days during growing season.
? An area which supports hydrophytic vegetation at least for some part of the year.
? An area which has predominantly hydric soils that are saturated for a sufficiently long period to become anaerobic (lacking in oxygen) in their upper layers.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51463
Title: e-Yearbook 2008
Author: None
Editor: Dr. R.K.Thukral
Year: 2008
Publisher: Datanet India Pvt. Ltd, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Socio-economic reference database of the post reform period in India: 1991 to 2007
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51462
Title: An evaluation of alternatives for cooking energy in Nigeria ' s household energy mix
Author: I O Akinwumi, I B Obioh, A S Momodu and J-F K Akinbami
Editor: R.K.Pachauri
Year: 2009
Publisher: TERI, Vol 6, Issue 1, March 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Resources, Energy, and Development
Keywords: Bio-energy, Household energy, NEEDS, NEEDS Trend Scenario, NEEDS Action Scenario,forest, savanna, LEAP
Abstract: Globally, energy consumpton is projected to grow, with major increase expected in developing countries, including Nigeria. Bio-energy sources accounted for 60% of the total final energy consumption in Nigeria, of which 85% was utilized by the household sector, in 2000. The effect of technology intervention on household energy mix in Nigeria was examined for a 30-year period by using four different economic development scenarios. These consist of the baseline scenario, NEEDS (National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy) Baseline, or N_BS, and three technology intervention scenarios, namely, NEEDS Trend Scenario, or N_TS, NEEDS Action Scenario, or N_AOS, and Non-NEEDS Scenario, or N-NS. The study was carried out for different ecological zones, namely, forest and savanna. Long range Energy Alternatives Planning, or LEAP, system, an energy simulation model, was employed for the analysis of the study. Lower and upper limits of the cost of technology intervention are $ 17.40 billion and $ 39.20 billion for N_BS and N-NS, respectively. The final energy demand dropped by about 47%, 55% and 64% for the three intervention scenarios, namely, N_TS, N_AOS, and N-NS, respectively. Environmental implications, in terms of GHG (greenhouse gas) savings, are savings of 1.5 billion kg of C equivalent, and the avoided cost is about -$ 0.11 million/tonne of C equivalent, which actually represents benefit. Cumulative GHG emission per capita at about 690 kg CO2 equivalent was highest for N_BS in 2030, with the least emission occuring for N-NS for the same time period, at 550 kg CO2 equivalent. The final energy intensity for the country ' s household sector was estimated to be 50.96 GJ/annum. With a technology intervention that is more efficient than the current trend and provides better alternatives for cooking energy, this figure is expected to drop appreciable over the 30-year time frame of the analysis. However, the immediate contending issues for household energy use in Nigeria are ensuring accessibility to energy sources in terms of availability and affordability, and enabling the rural populace and urban poor to achieve a sustainable path for national economic growth and development.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51461
Title: Norms, institutions, and collective action: the changing face of inland fisheries in Kerala
Author: Sunil D Santha
Editor: R.K.Pachauri
Year: 2009
Publisher: TERI, Vol 6, Issue 1, March 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Resources, Energy, and Development
Keywords: Inland fisheries, Kerala, Sustainable management, Natural resource management
Abstract: This paper examines the continuity and change in the governance of inland fisheries in Kerala. It analyses the transformations taking place in riverine fisheries management due to social, technological, and policy changes. Further, it discusses the significance of contextual factors in the sustainable management of riverine fisheries. The findings of this paper show that contextual factors such as family structure, technological changes, intervention by state government, market, and resource scarity have significantly influenced sustainable fishing practices. Exploring the dynamics of norms and sanctions that facilitate sustainable resource use, this paper also signifies the limitations of static models of institutions in natural resource management. This paper is based on ethnographic fieldwork among two fishing communities along the Pamba-Achankovil River basin in Kerala, South India. Interview guides and focussed group discussion were the primary tools of data collection.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51460
Title: Petroleum consumption and economic growth: evidence from China and some South Asian Countries
Author: Sajal Ghosh
Editor: R.K.Pachauri
Year: 2009
Publisher: TERI, Vol 6, Issue 1, March 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Resources, Energy, and Development
Keywords: Economic growth, Petroleum consumption, Dickey-Fuller tests, policy
Abstract: The study probes cointegration and Granger causality between economic growth and petroleum consumption, using annual data covering the period 1980 - 2004, for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan in a bivariate vector autoregression framework with change in international oil price as exogenous variable. Augmented Dickey-Fuller tests reveal that all the series are non-stationary in nature. Existence of long -run equilibrium relationship has been established between economic activity and petroleum consumption in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Pakistan. Unidirectional long-term causality running from economic growth to petroleum consumption has been found to exist for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and China while long-run bi-directional causality has been found for Pakistan. For countries like Maldives and Nepal, though series are found to be non - cointegrated, there exists bi-directional short-run causality between economic growth and petroleum consumption. For Burma, no causality is found in either direction. The study also highlights the implications of the results and, finally, suggests some policy prescriptions based on empirical findings, which are country-specific.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51459
Title: Review of Paragonimiasis in India
Author: R.K.Ghosh
Editor: Director, Zoological Survey of India
Year: 1991
Publisher: Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkatta, August 1991
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Snails, Flukes and Man
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51458
Title: Schistosomes and Schistosomiasis with particular Reference to India
Author: C.B.Srivastava
Editor: Director, Zoological Survey of India
Year: 1991
Publisher: Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkatta, August 1991
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Snails, Flukes and Man
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None