Enter records

ID: 59722
Title: The crossroads of academic electronic availability: how well does Google Scholar measure up against a university-based metadata system in 2014?
Author: Niklas Karlson
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1661-1665 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Academic libraries, databases, electronic information, Google Scholar, metadata system, web search engine.
Abstract: Electronic availability of information resources has increasingly become an important of everyday vocation of academic libraries. This puts impetus on the libraries to know more about the way in which electronic information is being dispersed and handled. The present article aims to comparatively evaluate Uppsala University library ' s own metadata system Summon with the free, publicly available equivalent Google Scholar (GS). The evaluation is based on Peter Jacso ' s theories on database evaluation which puts focus on Summon and GS via the use of and application of ten different criteria. The uses of precision and relevance criteria were also implemented as additional evaluation. tools. The results indicate that at present GS has to be seen as a necessary complement in retrieving electronic information due to the fact the Summon is not yet fully functioning on all levels and that GS has a wider intake of information sources. The use of web-based academic search tools is now vital. Will the open access movement evolve with Google as the main actor and take over the scene leaving costly databases and search tools behind? This article deals with the economic implications of comparing the practical functions of a costly in-house information system with a public equivalent. It reveals the complex situation that a world-class university is in as regards to information resources and digitization and economic issues that follow.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: http://www.ub.uu.se/lana-och-ladda-ned/forvarvspolcy/?language-id=1 Allison, Dee Ann, McNeil, B. and Swanson, S., Database selection: one size does not fit al. Coll. Res. Lib., 2000, 61 (1), 56-63.
Literature cited 2: Neuhaus, C., Neuheus, E. and Asher, A., Google Scholar goes to school: the presence of Google Scholar on college and university websites. J. Acad. Lib., 2008, 34 (1), 39-51. Cothran, T., Google Scholar acceptance and use among graduate students: a quantitative study. Lib. Infor. Sci. Res., 2011, 33 (4), 293-301.

ID: 59721
Title: Feeding on non-plant food items by Western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)
Author: Mrigakhi Borah, Ashalata Devi, Awadhesh Kumar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1157-1660 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Non-plant food items, Western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock).
Abstract: The distribution and quality of food resources are generally recognized as the pre-eminent factors explaining much interspecific and intraspecific variation in the behaviour of non-human primates. The diet of non-human primates is characterized by large portion of plant items such as fruits, flowers and leaves and also contributes a small portion of non-plant food items. Primates that live in seasonal forests often show predictable responses of feeding to fluctuating resources.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Chapman, C. and Chapman, L., Primates, 1990, 31, 121-128. Hohmann, G., In The Evolution of Hominin Diets. Integrating Aproaches to the Study of Palaeolithic Subsistence (eds Hublin, J.J. and Richards, M.P), Springer Science+Business Media, 2009.
Literature cited 2: Charnov, E., Theor.Popul.Biol, 1976, 9, 129-136. Van Roosmalen, M.G.M. and Klein, L. L., In Ecology and Behaviour of Neotropical Primates (eds Mittermeier, R.A. et al), World Wildlife Fund, Washington DC, 1988, vol.2, pp. 455-537.

ID: 59720
Title: Assessment of groundwater vulnerability using GIS-based DRASTIC technology for the basaltic aquifer of Burhner watershed, Mohgaon block, Mandla (India)
Author: Kamlesh Prasad and J.P. Shukla.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 11649-1656 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Assessment of groundwater vulnerability, GIS, DRASTIC technology, basaltic aquifer, Burhner watershed, Mohgaon block, Mandla, India
Abstract: Groundwater (GW) vulnerability is foundation stone for evaluating the risk of GW contamination and developing management options to preserve the quality of GW. The concept of GW vulnerability is based on the assumption that the physical environment may provide some degree of protection for GW against human activities as well as natural contamination. The main objective of this study is to find out the GW vulnerable zones in Burhner watershed using the DRASTIC model in a geographical information system environment. Determination of DRASTIC index involves multiplying each parameter weight by its site rating and summing the total. On the basis of DRASTIC index values, a GW vulnerability map was prepared using Arc GIS 10 platform. Based on the results of the GW vulnerability assessment, the study area was divided into three zones: Low vulnerable zones ranging from 92 to 123 DRASTIC index with a geographical area of about 113.35 sq.km; moderate vulnerable zones ranging from 123 to 142 with 98.42 sq.km geographical area and high vulnerable zones with DRASTIC index ranging from 142 to 164 with 113.23 sq.km geographical area.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Margat, J., Vulnerabilite des mappes d ' eau souterraine a la pollution, BRGM Publication no. 68, Orleans, France, 1968. Prior, J.C., Boekhoff, J.L., Howes, M., R., Libra, R.D. and Van Dorpe, P.E., In lowa Geological Survey Educational Series, lowa Department of Natural Resource Press, lowa, 2003, vol.6.
Literature cited 2: Anthony, J.T., Emily, L.I. and Frank, D.V., Assessing ground water vulnerability using logistic regressing. In Proceedings for the Source Water Assessment and Protection, Conference, Dakkas, TX, 1998, pp. 157-165. Groundwater vulnerability assessment: predicting relative contamination potential under conditions of uncertainty, National Research Council, Washington DC, 1993.

ID: 59719
Title: Integrated coastal zone management: a sustainable way to manage the coastal zone.
Author: Arindam Chakraborty.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 11637-1638 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Integated coastal zone, management, the coastal zone.
Abstract: Coastal areas are one of the vulnerable regions where the land is affected by its proximity to the sea and that part of the ocean is equally affected by the land. It is one of the areas which is most heavily exploited for its rich resources. Around 40 % of the world population resides within 100 km of the coastline. Most of the developing countries of the world lack the capacity to manage current coastal population growth in an equitable fashion. It is high time to develop and introduce management plans that will protect the vibrant coastal ecosystems, while permitting economic growth and ensuring a better quality of life for all coastal dwellers.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 59718
Title: Strategy of female tigers to avoid infanticide.
Author: Randeep Singh, Parag Nigam, Qamar Qureshi, Kalyanasundaram Sankar, Paul R. Krausman and Surendra Prakash Goyal.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1595-1597 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Camera trap, female tigers, infanticide avoidance, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Abstract: In fields, mortalitiy caused by dominant males can affect life history characteristics, demography and reproductive success. When a dominant male is removed, an incoming male may kill offspring sired by the previous male to induce the resident female into oestrus. We had the opportunity to observe the infanticide avoidance responses of female tigers (Panthera tigris) to incoming males in the core area of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), Rajasthan, during 2008-2010. In one case, following the disappearance of a dominant male tiger (TM-12) from established territory of a female tiger (TF-13), the female tiger, accompanied by two cubs, immediately moved approximately 20 km away into riverine areas outside the protected area of RTR. In another case, a female (TF-04) died from a battle with a male while defending her cubs. These observations reveal the attempts of female tigers to avoid infanticide. Observations and results from behavioural decisions made by tigers are important to understand the species and the factors that facilitate their conservation.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: LeGalliard, J.F., Fitze, P.S., Ferriere, R. and Clobert, J., Sex ratio bias, male aggression, and population collapse in lizards.Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA, 2005, 102 (18), 231-236. Parker, H., Rosell, F. and Mysterud, A., Harvesting of males delays female breeding in a socially monogamous mammal; the beaver.Biol.Lett., 2007, 3, 106-108.
Literature cited 2: Wielgus, R.B. and Bunnell, F.L., Tests of hypotheses of sexual segregation in grizzly bears.J.Wildl. Manage., 1995, 58, 552-560. Swenson, J.E., Sandegren, F., Soderberg, A., Bjarvall, A., Franzen, R. and Wabakken, P., Infanticide caused by hunting of male bears. Nature, 1997, 386, 450-451.

ID: 59717
Title: Fire and soil temperatures during controlled burns in seasonally dry tropical forests of southern India.
Author: Nandita Mondal and Raman Sukumar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1590-1594 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, fuel load, fuel moisture, Madumalai Wildlife, Sanctuary, temperature indicating lacquers, weather.
Abstract: Fire and soil temperatures were measured during controlled burns conducted by the Forest Department at two seasonally dry tropical forest sites in southern India, and their relationships with fuel load, fuel moisture and weather variables assessed using stepwise regression. Fire temperatures at the ground level varied between 79 ? C and 760 ?C, with higher temperatures recorded at high fuel loads and ambient temperatures did not vary with fuel moisture or wind speed. Soil temperatures varied between <79 ? C and 302 ? C and were positively correlated with ground-level fire temperatures. Results from the study imply that fuel loads in forested areas have to be reduced to ensure low intensity fires in the dry season. Low fire temperatures would ensure lower mortality of above-ground saplings and minimal damage to root stocks of tree species that would maintain the regenerative capacity of a tropical dry forest subject to dry season wildfires.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Bond, W.J. and Keeley, J.E., Fire as a global herbivore: the ecology and evolution of flammable ecosystems. Trends Ecol. Evol., 2005, 20, 387-394. Neary, D.G., Klopatek, C.C., DeBano, L.F. and Ffolliott, P.F., Fire effects on belowground sustainability: a review and synthesis. For. Ecol. Manage, 1999,122, 51-71.
Literature cited 2: Moreno, J.M. and Oechel, W.C., Fire intensity effects on germination of shrubs and herbs in southern California chaparral. Ecology, 1991, 72, 1993-2004. Werner, P.A. and Prior, L.D., Demography and growth of subadult savanna trees: interactions of life history, size, fire season and grassy understorey. Ecol. Monogr., 2013, 83, 67-93.

ID: 59716
Title: Hydrological controls of radon in a few hot springs in the Western Ghats at Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra, India.
Author: Md. Arzoo Ansari, Suman Sharma, U.Saravana Kumar, Sitangshu Chatterjee, Diksha and Upananda Low.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1587-1590 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Deccan Traps, geothermal, hydrogeology, radon, Western Ghats.
Abstract: Geological structures (faults, fractures and weak zones) and high heat flow in geothermal areas allow easy passage for release of radon gas to the atmosphere. Radon is constantly transported from the Earth ' s interior and vented out through exhalation points at permeable fault zones. 222Rn concentrations were measured in a few hot springs and nearby groundwater using RAD7 at Tural and Rajwadi, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. The 222Rn concentrations in the hot springs vary from 1087 ? 132 to 1655 ? 177 Bq/m3 at Tural and from 152 ? 67 to 350 ? 82 Bq/ m3 at Rajwadi. Groundwaters from wells within a radius of 200 m around the geothermal fields have radon concentration between 1087 ?132 and 5445 ? 337 Bq/ m3. We have assessed the radon activity in the vicinity of the hot springs to understand their hydrogeological control, origin of heat source and possible effect on the tourist and the human population residing nearby.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Wanty, R.B. and Nordstorm, D.K., Natural radionuclides.In Regional Groundwater Quality (ed. Aley, W.M.), Van Norstrand Reinhold, New York, 1993, pp. 423-441. Sturchio, N.C., Banner, J.L., Binz, C.M., Heraty, L.B. and Musgrove, M., Radium geochemistry of ground waters in Paleozoic carbonate aquifers, midcontinent, USA. AAAppl.Geochem., 2001, 16, 109-122.
Literature cited 2: Vengosh, A. et al., High naturally occurring radioactivity in fossil groundwater from the Middle East. Environ.Sci.Technol., 2009, 43, 1769-1775. Kruger, P., Stoker, A. and Umana, A., Radon in geothermal reservoir engineering.Geothermics, 1977, 5 (1-4), 13-19.

ID: 59715
Title: An assessment of terrestrial water storage, rainfall and river discharge over Northern India from satellite data.
Author: Satya Prakash, R.M. Gairola, F.Papa and A.K. Mitra
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1582-1586 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Earth-observation satellites, rainfall, river discharge, terrestrial water storage.
Abstract: Terrestrial water storage (TWS) plays a key role in the global water cycle and is highly influenced by climate variability and human activities. In this study, monthly TWS, rainfall and Ganga-Brahmaputra river discharge (GBRD) are analysed over India for the period of 2003-12 using remote sensing satellite data. The spatial pattern of mean TWS sows a decrease over a large and populous region of Northern India comprising the foothills of the Himalayas, the Indo-Gangetic Plains and North East India. Over this region, the mean monthly TWS exhibits pronounced seasonal cycle and a large interannual variability, highly correlated with rainfall and GBRD variations (r> 0.8) with a lag time of 2 months and 1 month respectively. The time series of monthly TWS shows a consistent and statistically significant decrease of about 1cm year-1 over Northern India, which is not associated with changes in rainfall and GBRD. This recent change in TWS suggests a possible impact of rapid industrialization, urbanization and increase in population on land water resources. Our analysis high-lights the potential of the Earth -observation satellite data for hydrological applications.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Mall, R.K., Gupta, A., Singh, R., Singh, R.S. and Rathore, L.S., Water resources and climate change: an Indian perspective. Curr. Sci, 2006, 90 (12), 1610-1626. Ramillien, G., Famiglietti, J.S. and Wahr, J., Detection of continental hydrology and glaciology signals from GRACE: a review Surv. Geophys., 2008, 29, 361-374; doi: 10.1007/s 10712-008-9048-9
Literature cited 2: Taylor, R.G. et al., Groundwater and climate change. Nature Climate Change, 2013, 3. 322-328; doi: 10.1038/NCCLIMATE1744. Tapley, B.D., Bettadpur, S., Ries, J.C., Thompson, P.F. and Watkins, M.M., GRACE measurements of mass variability in the Earth system. Science, 2004, 305, 503-505.

ID: 59714
Title: Soil information system: use and potentials in humid and semi-arid tropics.
Author: T. Bhattacharya, D. Sarkar, S.K. Ray, P.Chandran, D. K. Pal, D.K. Mandal, J. Prasad, G.S. Sidhu, K.M. Nair, A.K. Sahoo, T.H. Das, R.S. Singh, C. Mandal, R.Srivastava, T.K. Sen, S. Chatterji, N.G.Patil, G.P. Obireddy, S.K.Mahapatra, K.S. Anil Kumar, K
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1550-1564 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agricultural land-use planning, humid and semi-arid tropics, soil information system, soil information technology, temporal datasets.
Abstract: The articles presented in this special section emanated from the researches of consortium members of the National Agricultural Innovative Project (NAIP, Component 4) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. These researches have helped develop a soil information system (SIS). In view of the changing scenario all over the world, the need of the hour is to get assistance from a host of researchers specialized in soils, crops, geology, geography and information technology to make proper use of the datasets. Equipped with the essential knowledge of data storage and retrieval for management recommendations, these experts should be able to address the issues of land degradation, biodiversity, food security, climate change and ultimately arrive at an appropriate agricultural land-use planning. Moreover, as the natural resource information is an essential prerequisite for monitoring and predicting global environmental change with special reference to climate and land use options, the SIS needs to be a dynamic exercise to accommodate temporal datasets, so that subsequently it should result in the evolution of the soil information technology. The database developed through this NAIP would serve as an example of the usefulness of the consortium and the research initiative of ICAR involving experts from different fields to find out the potentials of the soils of humid and semi-arid bioclimatic systems of the country.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: ASRIS, Australian Soil Resource Information, Technical specification Version 1.5, 2005; www.aris.esiro.au. Bhattacharya, T., Sarkar, D., Pal, D.K., Mandal, C., Baruah, U., Telpande, B. and Vaidaya, P.H., Soil information system for resource management-Tripura as a case study. Curr. Sci., 2010, 99, 1208-1217.
Literature cited 2: Pal D.K., Bhattacharya, T., Srivastava, P., Chandran, P. and Ray, S.K., Soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains: their historical perspective and management. Curr. Sci., 2009, 9, 1193-1201. Wani, S.P. et al., Combating drought through integrated water-shed management for sustainable dryland agriculture. In Regional Workshop on Agricultural Drought Monitoring and Assessment using Space Technology, National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad, 4 May 2004, pp.39-48.

ID: 59713
Title: Natural resources of the Indo-Gangetic Plains: a land- use planning perspective.
Author: N.G.Patil, P. Tiwary, T. Bhattacharya, P.Chandran, D. Sarkar, D. K. Pal, D.K. Mandal, J. Prasad, G.S. Sidhu, K.M. Nair, A.K. Sahoo, T.H. Das, R.S. Singh, C. Mandal, R.Srivastava, T.K. Sen, S. Chatterji, S.K. Ray, G.P. Obireddy, S.K.Mahapatra, K.S. An
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1537-1549 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agricultural productivity, land use planning, natural resources, soil properties and soil management.
Abstract: Current status of land/soil resources of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) is analysed to highlight the issues that need to be tackled in near future for sustained agricultural variations in soil properties, cropping systems; status of land usage, groundwater utilization and irrigation development which vary across the sub-regions besides demographies. Framework for land use policy is suggested that includes acquisition of farm-level data, detailing capability of each unit to support a chosen land use, assess infrastructural support required to meet the projected challenges and finally develop skilled manpower to effectively monitor the dynamics of land use changes.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Pal, D.K., Bhattacharya, T., Srivastava, P., Chandran, P. and Ray, S.K., Soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains: their historical perspective and management. Cur, Sci., 2009, 96, 1193-1202. Olaf, E., Resource scarcity gradients in the post-Green Revolution Indo-Gangetic Plains: implications for agricultural technology use and supply. In paper presented at the International Association of Agricultural Economists Conference, Beijing, China, 16-22.
Literature cited 2: Paroda, R.S., Woodhead, T. and Singh, R.B., Sustainability of Rice-Wheat Production Systems in Asia, RAPA Publication, 1994/11, FAO, Bangkok. http://www.rightsandresources.org (accessed February 2014).

ID: 59712
Title: Revisiting agro-ecological sub-regions of India-a case study of two major food production zones.
Author: C. Mandal, D.K. Mandal, T. Bhattacharya, D. Sarkar, D. K. Pal, Jagdish Prasad, G.S. Sidhu, K.M. Nair, A.K. Sahoo, T.H. Das, R.S. Singh, R.Srivastava, T.K. Sen, S. Chatterji, P.Chandran, S.K. Ray, N.G. Patil, G.P. Obireddy, S.K.Mahapatra, K.S. Anil Ku
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1502-1511 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agro-ecological sub-regions, food production zones, land-use planning, length of growing period.
Abstract: The sustenance of food and nutritional security are the major challenges of the 21st century. The domestic food production needs to increase per annum at the rate of 2% for cereals and 0.6 % for oilseeds and pulses to meet the demand by 2030. The Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and the black soil regions (BSR) are the two major food production zones of the country. Since irrigation potential is limited and expansion of irrigated area is tardy, rainfed agriculture holds promise to satisfy future food needs. Frontline demonstrations of these two regions have shown that there is a large gap at the farmers ' and achievable levels of yields. This gap can be filled by adopting scientific approach of managing the natural resources. There is tremendous pressure of biotic and abiotic stresses hindering the crop production and that warrants for a systematic appraisal of natural resources. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) divided the country into 60 agro-ecological sub-regions (AESRs) in 1994 by superimposing maps on natural resources like soils, climate and length of growing period (LGP) for crops and other associated parameters. With the passage of nearly two decades and the advent of modern facilities of database management and improved knowledge base on natural resources, a need was felt to revise the existing AESR map to reach near the ground reality of crop performance. The new database stored in soil and terrain digital database (SOTER) has helped in modifying the AESR delineations of the BSR (76.4 m ha) and the IGP (52.01 m ha). The estimated available water content, saturated hydraulic conductivity and use of pedo-transfer functions in assessing the drainage conditions and soil quality have helped in computing with improved precision the LGP, and revise the earlier AESRs in BSR and IGP areas. This innovative exercise will be useful for the future AESR-based agricultural land use planning.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Venkateswarlu, B. and Prasad, J.V.N.S., Carrying capacity o Indian agricultural issues related to rainfed agriculture. Curr.Sci., 2012, 102, 882-888. http:// www.fao.org/AG/agL/aglw/aquastat/main/index.stm
Literature cited 2: Pal, D.K., Mandal, D.K., Bhattacharyya, T., Mandal, C. and Sarkar, D., Revisiting the agro-ecological zones for crop evaluation. Indian J. Genet., 2009, 69, 315-318 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Planning for sustainable use of land resources: towards a new approach. FAO Land and Water Bulletin No.2, Land and Water Development Division, FAO, Rome, 1995.

ID: 59711
Title: Land evaluation for major crops in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and black soil regions using fuzzy model.
Author: S. Chatterji, P. Tiwary, T.K. Sen, J. Prasad, T. Bhattacharya, D. Sarkar, D. K. Pal, D.K. Mandal, G.S. Sidhu, K.M. Nair, A.K. Sahoo, T.H. Das, R.S. Singh, C. Mandal, R.Srivastava, P.Chandran, S.K. Ray, N.G. Patil, G.P. Obireddy, S.K.Mahapatra, S.Srin
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1487-1501 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Benchmark sites, fuzzy model, land evaluation, minimum datasets.
Abstract: Land evaluation is carried out to assess the suitability of land for a specific use. Land evaluation procedures focus increasingly on the use of quantitative procedures to enhance the qualitative interpretation of land resource surveys. Conventional Boolean retrieval of soil survey data and logical models for assessing land suitability, treat both spatial units and attribute value ranges as exactly specifiable quantities. They ignore the continuous nature of soil and landscape variation and uncertainties in measurement, which may result in the failure to correctly classify sites that just fail to match strictly defined requirements. The objective of this article is to apply fuzzy model to land suitability evaluation for major crops in the 15 benchmark sites of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and 17 benchmark sites of the black soil regions (BSR). Minimum datasets of land characteristics considered relevant to rice and wheat in the IGP and cotton and soybean in the BSR were identified to enhance pragmatic value of land evaluation. The use of fuzzy model is intuitive, robust and helpful for land suitability evaluation and classification, especially in applications in which subtle differences in land characteristics are of a major interest, such as development of threshold values of land characteristics.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Rossiter, D.G., A theoretical framework for land evaluation. Geoderma, 1996, 72, 165-202. FAO, A framework for land evaluation.FAO Soils Bulletin No. 32. Rome, p. 72. Also published as Publication 22, ILRI, Wageningen, the Netherlands, 1976, p. 87.
Literature cited 2: Sys, C., Land evaluation. State University of Ghent, The Netherlands, 1976. Borrough, P.A., Fuzzy mathematical methods for soil survey and land evaluation. J. Soil Sci., 1989, 40, 477-492.

ID: 59710
Title: Impact of management levels and land-use changes on soil properties in rice-wheat cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
Author: G.S. Sidhu, T. Bhattacharya, D. Sarkar, S.K. Ray, P. Chandaran, D.K. Pal, D.K Mandal, J. Prasad, K.M. Nair, A.K. Sahoo, T.H. Das, R.S. Singh, C.Mandal, R. Srivastava, T.K. Sen, S. Chatterjee, N.G. Patil, G.P. Obiredy, S.K., Mahapatra, K.S. Anil Kumar
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1470-1486 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Benchmark soil, bulk density, land-use changes, rice-wheat system, soil properties.
Abstract: Five benchmark soils, namely Fatehpur (Punjab) and Haldi (Uttatakhand) non-sodic soils, Zarifa Viran (Haryana) Sakit and Itwa sodic soils (Uttar Pradesh) representing Trans, Upper, Middle and Central Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) were revisited for studying the morphological, physical and chemical properties of soils at low and high management levels to monitor changes in soil properties due to the impact of land-use as well as management levels. The results indicate an increase in bulk density (BD) below the plough layer, and build up of organic carbon (OC) and decline in pH in surface layers of Zarifa Viran, Sakit and Itwa sodic soils under high management. The concentration of carbonates and biocarbonates in sodic soils decreased due to adaptation of rice-wheat system. The build-up of OC and decrease of pH in surface soils under rice-wheat system enhanced the soil health. Increase in BD in subsurface soils, however, is a cause of concern for sustaining rice-wheat cropping system. Soil management interventions such as tillage, conservation agriculture and alternate cropping system have been suggested for improved soil health and productivity.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Singh, J. and Sidhu, R.S., Accounting for impact of environmental degradation in agriculture of India, Punjab. Agric. Econ. Res. Rev., 2006, 19, 37-48. Sinha, S.K., Singh, G.B. and Rai, M., Decline in Crop Productivity in Haryana and Punjab: Myth or reality? Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, 1998.
Literature cited 2: Bhattacharyya, T., Chandran, P., Ray, S.K., Pal, D.K., Venugopalan, M.V., Mandal, C.and Wani, S.P., Changes in levels of carbon in soils over years of two important food production zones of India. Curr.Sci., 2007, 93, 1854-1863. Pathak, H., Mohanty, S., Jain, N. and Bhatia, A., Nitrogen, Phosphorus and potassium budgets in Indian agriculture. Nutr. Cycling Agroecosyst., 2010, 86, 287-299.

ID: 59709
Title: Soil and land quality indicators of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.
Author: S.K. Ray, T. Bhattacharya, K.R. Reddy, D.K. Pal. Chandaran, P.Tiwary, D.K Mandal, C.Mandal, J. Prasad, D. Sarkar, M.V., Venugopalan, K., K. Velmourougane, G.S. Sidhu, K.M. Nair, A.K. Sahoo, T.H. Das, R.S. Singh, R. Srivastava, T.K. Sen, S. Chatterjee
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1464-1469 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Land Quality index, Principal component analysis, soil quality and health.
Abstract: Sustaining soil and land quality under intensive land use and fast economic development is a major challenge for improving crop productivity in the developing world. Assessment of soil and land quality indicators is necessary to evaluate the degradation status and changing trends of different land use and management interventions. During the last four decades, the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) which covers an area of about 52.01 m ha has been the major food producing region of the country. However at present, the yield of crops in IGP has stagnated; one of the major reasons being deterioration of soil and land quality. The present article deals with the estimation of soil and land quality indicators of IGP, so that, proper soil and land management measures can be taken up to restore and improve the soil health. Use of principal component analysis is detailed to derive the minimum dataset or indicators for soil quality. The article also describes spatial distribution of soil and land quality with respect to major crops of IGP.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Andrews, S.S. and Carroll, C.R., Designing a tool for sustainable agroecosystem management: soil quality assessment of a poultry litter management case study. Ecol. Appl., 2001, 11, 1573-1585; Doi: 10/1890/1051-0761 (2001) /011 (1573 DASQAT/2.0.CO:2. Doran, J. W. and Parkin, T.B., Defining and assessing soil quality. In Defining Soil Quality for a Sustainable Environment (eds Doran, J. W. et al.), SSSA Spec. Publ. No. 35, SSSA, Madison, WI, USA, 1994, pp, 3-21.
Literature cited 2: Doran, J.W. and Parkin, T.B., Quantitative indicators of soil quality: a minimum data set. In Methods for Assessing Soil Quality: a minimum data set. In Methods for Assessing Soil Quality (eds Doran, J.W. and Jones, A.J), SSSA Spec.Publ. No. 49, SSSA, Madison, WI, USA, 1996, pp. 25-37. Doran, J.W., Sarrantonio, M. and Liebig, M., Soil health and sustainability. In Adv. Agron (ed. Sparks, D.L), Academic Press, San Diego, 1996, vol. 56, pp. 1-54.

ID: 59708
Title: Impacts of agro-climates and land use systems on culturable microbial population in soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India.
Author: Alok Kumar Srivastava, Kulandaivelu Velmourougane, T. Bhattacharya, D. Sarkar, D.K. Pal, J. Prasad, G.S. Sidhu, K.M. Nair, A.K. Sahoo, T.H. Das, R.S. Singh, R. Srivastava, T.K. Sen, S. Chatterjee, P.Chandran, S.K. Ray, N.G. Patil, G.P. Obireddy, S.K.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1464-1469 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agro-ecosystems, microbial population, land use type, soil depth.
Abstract: Comprehensive reports on land-use changes and their impact on soil biological properties, specifically microbial population in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India, are lacking. Since IGP is the most fertile land, data on microbial population of IGP may contribute towards the evaluation of various soil quality parameters, disease suppression, organic matter decomposition, plant growth promotion and soil management pattern. To enhance our knowledge on culturable microbial populations in different soil horizons of the agro-ecological sub-regions (AESRs) in the IGP, a study has been undertaken to collect soil samples from the established benchmark (BM) spots of these plains with an objective to investigate the impacts of bioclimates, soil depth, cropping systems, land use systems and management practices on the distribution of culturable microbial population. Bacterial: fungal ratios are significantly different across the land use types. The bacterial and fungal populations are strongly and negatively correlated with soil depth and maximum microbial population (40 %) exists in the surface horizon (0-30 cm) than in the subsurface horizon (121-150 cm). Generally, bacterial populations are higher than actinomycetes and fungal populations in all soil profiles of the IGP. Approximately 10 % decrease in Shannon diversity index has been observed with increase of 30 cm depth and 89 % fall between surface and subsurface profiles. Non-significant difference in microbial population (P< 0.05) is noticed across the management and land use systems. Sub-humid (moist) bioclimatic system recorded higher microbial population than sub-humid (dry) and semi-arid bioclimatic systems. Legume-based cropping system has higher microbial population than cereal or vegetable-based cropping.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Bell, C.N., McIntyre, S., Cox, D. and Tissue, J. Z., Soil microbial responses to t4emporal variations of moisture and temperature in a Chihuahuan Desert grassland. Microbiol Ecol, 2008, 56, 153-167. Bhattacharya, T. et al., Morphological properties of red and black soils of selected benchmark spots in semi-arid tropics, India. Global theme on agroecosystems report no. 21. International Crops Research Institute for the semi-arid Tropics and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, Patancheru, 2006, p. 100.
Literature cited 2: Velayutham, M., Mandal, D.K., Mandal, C. and Sehgal, J., Agroecological subregion of India for planning and development. NBSS Publication No. 35. NBSS & LUP, Nagpur, 1999,p. 372. Mandal, C. et al., Revisiting agro-ecological sub-regions of India-a case study of two major food production zones. Curr. Sci., 2014, 107 (9), 1519-1536.