ID: 59197
Title: Conserving biodiversity for sustainable development.
Author: M F Quamar.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 12), pp. 1659-1659. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: conserving biodiversity, sustainable development.
Abstract: The prinicipal themes of the international conference on ' Conserving Biodiversity for Sustainable Development ' (INCCBSD 2013) were: Man, society and biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation strategies; Biodiverstity for sustainable energy development; Biodiversity and climate change; Molecular diversity and system biology; Disease, epidemiology and biodiversity; Bio-threats and biosecurity; Biodiversity informatics; Biodiversity, human intelligence and innovation; Bio-diversity research. About 100 participants from India, Sri Lanka and Japan participated and presented their research findings as oral and paper presentations. The conference was inaugrated by J K Tewari (Ministry of Environment and Forests, Bhubaneswar), in the presence of Sunil K. Sarangi (NIT Rourkela), Krishna Pramanik (Chairperson and Convenor, INCCBSD 2013, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, NIT Rourkela).
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59196
Title: Soil acidification: a recent issue in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya.
Author: S I Bhuyan, O P Thripathi, M L Khan.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 12), pp. 1657-1658. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: soil acidification, Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya.
Abstract: Soil acidification - The net production of protons in the soil, is a result of various biological, chemical and plant processes such as cation/anion uptake, mineralization of soil organic matter, nitrification, dissociation of organic acids, and oxidation/reduction processes. It occurs gradually in undistributed ecosystems, but can be accelerated by intensive agriculture. It may also be enhanced by the nitrogenous fertilizers, particularly through drip irrigation systems, or the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen using leguminous plants. Change in nutrient cycles also causes soil acidification.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59195
Title: Buried river channels
Author: N M Shareef.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 12), pp. 1655-1655. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: River channels, Marine and Coastal Survey Division.
Abstract: The Marine and Coastal Survery Division of the Geological Survey of India, Mangalore, has recently carried out shallow seismic survey off Ponani, Kerala in order to understand the disposition of Bharathapuzha river channels during the geological past. The survey carried out on the basis of data collected during the geological past. The survey was carried out on the basis of data collected during the single line coast parallel reconnaisance shallow seismic survey which had brought out signatures of river channels at 50m water depth off Ponnani.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59194
Title: Sacred mountains: their ecological importance.
Author: V M Meher Homji.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 12), pp. 1655-1655. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Sacred mountains, ecological importance.
Abstract: While a good deal of literature is available on the sacred groves, their montane counterpart (pavitra parbats) have recieved scant attention. The question: Is it because of venerable deities are installed on the hilltops that the mountains are considered sacred, or realizing the essential ecosystem services rendered by the elevated surfaces of the planet the temples were constructed on the mountain summits?
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59193
Title: Region-specific biodiversity education - the role of People ' s Biodiverstiy Register.
Author: K P Laladhas, N Preetha, B Baijulal, O V Oommen.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 12), pp. 1653-1653. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Biodiversity education, peoples biodiversity register.
Abstract: Biodiversity education is a crucial tool for conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity. It is widely acknowledged that ' loss of biodiversity is the problem ; conservation biology is an attempt of science to discover solutions and environment education is the means of getting solutions implemented ' . Bharucha has stressed the role of field exposure in formal and non-formal education systems. An innovative approach to nature education that can recreate bonding with nature education system.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59192
Title: Early to Middle Albian age calcareous nannofossils from Pariwar Formation of Jaisalmer Basin, Rajasthan, Western India and their significance.
Author: Jyotsana Rai, Abha Singh, Dhirendra Kumar Pandey.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1604-1611. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Calcareous, cold and warm waters, depositional environment, sedimentary succession.
Abstract: Early-Middle Albian calcareous nannofossil assemblage comprising 55 species has been recovered from the Pariwar Formation, Jaisalmer Basin, western India. The nannofossils are moderate to well-preserved and are calibrated with Early-Middle nannofossil zones CC7-CC8 of Albian age. The present record of nannofossils indicates a marine depositional environment with good connection to the open ocean for the Pariwar Formation. Presence of species, Seribiscutum primitivum in small numbers in surface sediments of Pariwar Formation and its common occurence in coeval subsurface succession of Tanot Well-1 is the first record from the Cretaceous of Western India, which was located at ~30 S of the equator during mid-Cretaceous. S. primitivum is considered as cold-water, high-latitude taxa. Its presence in the Jaisalmer Basin suggests influx of cooler water currents from southern high latitudes during Albian time. Its co-existence with warm-water, wide-canal-bearing robust Tethyan nannoconids in the Jaisalmer assemblage suggests mixing of cold water masses with the warm waters in the western margin of the Indian subcontinent during Albian.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59191
Title: Reliability of earthquake nucleation model in Koyna region.
Author: S S Rai, Rajgopala Sarma.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1598-1604. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Earthquake nucleation, micro-earthquakes, short-term prediction.
Abstract: We question the inferred downward nucleation of hypocentres that forms the basis for short-term earth-quake prediction in the Koyna region. A careful relocation of foreshocks/aftershocks for a Mw 4.4 main shock sequence in 1996, hitherto belileved to have occurred at a depth of only 1.8 km, and formed part of a clear and almost instantaneous northward migration of micro-earthquakes along a narrow zone that could only be a fault plane at 4-8 km depth. This finding requires the current hypothesis for forcasting deep main shocks from shallow foreshocks in Koyna region to be discarded.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59190
Title: Spatial decision support system for managing agricultural experimental farms.
Author: P D Sreekanth, S K Soam, K V Kumar, N H Rao.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1588-1592. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Agricultural farms, farm management, web-based spatial decision support system.
Abstract: Research farm management in agricultural experimental stations requires effective use of geographical information on farm layout, field boundaries, location of buildings, roads, irrigation channels, wells and electric lines, together with information facilities like farm, machinery, livestock, etc. and the planned crop field experiments. The field experiment data will include details of crop and variety information, field preparation and input applications. Record-keeping of such information is laborious, time-consuming and cumbersome process. It also becomes difficult to maintain these records over time, when evaluating the effectiveness of changes in management plans. Advances in information technology allow agricultural experimental farms to acquire large amount of farm data more efficiently. Geospatial technologies can enhance the efficacy incorporating traditional IT information management tools for farm management. This study presents the design and application of a web-based spatial decision support system (SDSS) for experimental farm management using open-source GIS. This prototype SDSS allows farm managers, researchers and students to explore and access land-use options, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and track and visualize historical data of weather, input use, pest infestation and yield by field plots for better farm management.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59189
Title: Scattering mechanism-based algorithm for improved mapping of water-ice deposits in the lunar polar regions.
Author: Shiv Mohan, Sriram Saran, Anup Das.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1579-1587. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cirucular polarization ratio, craters, lunar surface, water-ice deposits.
Abstract: Due to the smaller axial tilt of the Moon, interiors of some of the polar craters on the lunar surface never get sunlight and are considered to be permanently shadowed regions. Several of such regions are known to contain water-ice deposits. These regions are expected to show elevated values of circular polarization ratio (CPR). Hence, the interiors of craters containing water-ice deposits are characterized by elevates CPR values as observed by the S-band synthetic aperture radar (Mini-SAR) on-board Chandrayaan-1 mission of ISRO. However, elevated CPR values were also observed from the interiors of some non-polar craters and also from young, fresh polar craters. Thus, elevated CPR values are not a unique signature of water ice deposits. Therefore, additional information related to geological setting and roughness patterns should also be considered while identifying the regions containing water-ice deposits. For identifying a unique signature of water-ice deposits, analysis of radar scattering mechanism in elevated CPR regions was carried out. Areas of elevated CPR due to double-bounce and surface scattering conditions were segmented and polarimetric, backscattering properties of diffuse scatterers were analysed. Based on the signatures of diffuse scatterers and radar backscattering coefficient, a scattering mechanism-based algorithm was developed, which has the advantage in classifying regions showing elevated CPR due to the surface and double-bounce scattering effects. The algorithm was then tested using Mini-SAR data and it was also found to be useful in eliminating regions of elevated CPR in fresh craters observed due to the double-bounce effect.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59188
Title: Analysing the gross and net deforestation rates in India.
Author: C Sudhakar Reddy, Kalloli Dutta, C S Jha.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1492-1500. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Deforestation, forest cover, gross and net rate, national and regional scale.
Abstract: Monitoring of forests has gained vital recognition in the international scenario due to realization of its role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity and global warming. Through advancement of remote sensing and GIS technology it is possible to monitor and analyse gross and net changes in forest ecosystems. This article analyses the deforestation rates and drivers of deforestation in India and summarizes the Government initiatives for conservation of forests based on the published literature. It also reviews gross and net rate of deforestation from the national level to locale scale. At the national level, Forest Survey of India has been carrying out mapping of forest cover on a biennial basis. The current estimate of gross deforestation in India is quite low (-0.43%) for 2009-2011 compared to the global average of -0.6%. Even though considerable progress has been made in the protection of forests, gross deforestation rate continues as a focal hinderance. The deforestation studies carried out in various parts of India are found to be fragmentary and far from being comphrehensive. From the regional analysis carried out, it can be seen that the overall net rate of deforestation was relatively high in the North East region (-0.90 to -5.29) and Deccan Peninsula (-0.19 to -3.2) followed by the Western Ghats. For precise estimation of gross and net deforestation, consistency in definitions, uniform methodology and new techniques for quantifying forest cover have been realized.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59187
Title: Was the Rann of Kachchh navigable during the Harappan times (Mid-Holocene)? An archaeological perspective.
Author: A S Gaur, K H Vora, Sundaresh, R Mani Murali , S Jayakumar.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1485-1491. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Ancient ports, Harappan sites, navigation, palaeoenvironment, Rann of Kachchh.
Abstract: The Kachchh region, presently, is one of the difficult areas in the Indian subcontinent for human settlement due to harsh climate, scanty rainfall and hence no scope for agriculture production. However, the region was probably densely populated in the past, as can be inferred from archaeological studies around the Rann. Several sites of the Harappan period (Dholavira, Juni Kuran, Surkotada, Shikarpur, etc.) urban in nature have been located within the borders of Rann. Thus a pertinent question arises as to why such large settlements were established in this area? Presently, the Rann of Kachchh is a storehouse of a thick layer of salt between Kori Creek in the west and Nagarparkar in the east. There are several geological studies indicating that different environmental conditions prevailed here in the past. The area of Rann probably could have served as a navigational channel/water body, which facilitated safe harbours for overseas trade with the Gulf countries and internal trade through riverine route which prevailed in the recent past.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59186
Title: Incidence of hydrofluorosis and its adverse effects on animal health in Durg district, Chhattisgarh.
Author: D K Giri, R C Ghosh, S Dey, M Mondal, Deepak Kumar Kashyap, Govina Dewanagan.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1477-1479. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Hydrofluorosis, adverse effects, Durg district, Chattisgarh.
Abstract: Water is the prime natural resource and physiological neccessity for mankind. India is plagued with numerous water quality problems due to prolific contaminants mainly of geogenic (those from soil) origin and also from increasing industrialization. Fluoride is one such chemical which is a major contaminant of ground water in some parts of India. According to WHO2, the safe fluoride level in drinking water is 1-1.5 ppm. Fluoride toxicity is increasingly becoming a matter of concern in many countries, which have been declared endemic for fluorosis. In the global scenario, 23 nations have the problem of hydrofluorosis.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59185
Title: Orographic control of Kedarnath disaster.
Author: Chandra S Dubey, Dericks P Shukla, A S Ningreichon, Arnold L Usham.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1474-1476. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Orographic control, Kedarnath disaster,calamity in Uttarakhand.
Abstract: The 2013 calamity in Uttarakhand is considered as India ' s worst natural disaster since the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Heavy, continuous rains have caused unprecedented damage to life and property where torrential rivers from the Himalaya swept away roads, bridges, houses and buildings in the swirling waters. According to the government officials, more than 1000 persons are expected dead with more than 6000 missing and tens of thousands have been displaced. The torrential rainfall between 15 and 17 June 2013 flooded the area causing excessive gulley erosions and sediment deposition on its way. It is suggested that during the night of 16 June 2013, due to incessant precipitation, large volume of water carrying huge amount of sediments, and debris from glacial moraines and surrounding areas struck Kedarnath town and washed off its upper parts.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59184
Title: Lessons from Kedarnath tragedy of Uttarakhand Himalaya, India.
Author: Aniruddha Uniyal.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1472-1474. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Kedarnath tragedy, Uttarakhand Himalaya, India.
Abstract: The complete destruction by Mandakini River in Kedarnath on 16 and 17 June 2013 could not have been avoided. Yet, the number of casualities would have been far less had the mushrooming growth of hotels, lodges and dharmshalas not been allowed in Kedarnath. This has been one of the worst Himalayan tragedies in recent years in which the exact number of people buried/perished is not known as thousands are still missing. Almost the entire Rambara and a large part of Gaurikhand and many villages of Mandakini valley were wiped out. The flash flood and attendant debris flow was undoubtedly an irrepressible natural hazard.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59183
Title: Indicators for localized regions of heavier species in the lunar surface from CHACE on Chandrayan - 1
Author: R Shridharan, Thirtha Pratim Das, S M Ahmed, Anil Bharadhwaj.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 11), pp. 1470-1472. 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: indicators, localized regions, heavier species, lunar surface, CHACE, Chandrayaan - 1
Abstract: Chandra ' s Altitudinal Composition Explorer (CHACE) has been a unique experiment on the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) - a micro satellite riding piggyback on Chandrayan - 1, India ' s first mission to the Moon. CHACE, based on a quadrupole mass spectometer, was intended to get the altitudinal and latitudinal composition of the tenuous lunar ambience, a ' first of its kind ' attempt and has yielded significant results, including the first ' direct detection of water ' , revealing the sunlit-side ambient pressure to be at least two orders of magnitude larger than expected and also showing the dominance of CO2 and H2O in the lunar atmosphere.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None