ID: 59167
Title: Application of fractal geometry in determining optimal quadrat size for vegetation sampling.
Author: Anubhav Chaturvedi, P Rama Chandra Prasad.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1275-1281, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Ecological patterns, fractal geometry, quadrat size, spatial dependence, vegetation sampling.
Abstract: Geometry in ecological patterns of landscape and vegetation is not truly fractal, and varies across a range of scales, whereas fractal geometry provides tools for predicting and describing ecological patterns. In this study, fractal analysis is used to assess presence of pseudo random quadrats or spatial dependence which hamper generality and performance of classical inferential statistics. Fractal dimension (FD) as a function of scale is used to determine quadrat size which eliminates spatial dependence. The semivariograms are plotted with fractograms to correlate structures of spatial dependence of the properties studied. The use of FD as a degree of spatial dependence of variables is the basis of applications of fractals.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59166
Title: Improved content based classification and retrieval of images using support vector machine.
Author: V Karpagam, R Rangarajan.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1267-1275, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Colour image representation, discrete wavelet decomposition, image classification, image feature extraction.
Abstract: Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) entails probing for similar images for a query image in an image database and returning the most relevant images. The proposed methodology aims at improving the classification and retrieval accuracy of images. Wavelet histograms are used to design a simple and efficient CBIR system with good performance and without using any intensive image-processing feature extraction technique. The unique indexed colour histogram and wavelet decomposition-based horizontal, vertical and diagonal image attributes serve as the main features for the retrieval system. Support vector machine is used for classification and thereby to improve retrieval accuracy of the system. The performance of the proposed content-based image classification and retreival system is evaluated with the standard SIMPLIcity dataset. Precision is used as a metric to measure the performance of the system. The system is validated with holdout and k-fold cross validation techniques. The proposed system performs better than SIMPLIcity and all the other compared methods.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59165
Title: Namma Bengalurina Vrikshagalu
Author: T V Ramachandra, Bharath H Aithal, Vinay S, Rao G R, Gouri Kulkarni, Tara N M, Nupur Nagar. Ganesh Hegde.
Editor: T V Ramachandra.
Year: 2014
Publisher: EWRG, CES, IISc.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: ENVIS Technical Report: 75
Subject: Namma Bengalurina Vrikshagalu
Keywords: Bengaluru, Bangalore, Trees, tree density, vegetation density, trees per person.
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59164
Title: Trees of Bengaluru.
Author: T V Ramachandra, Bharath H Aithal, Vinay S, Rao G R, Gouri Kulkarni, Tara N M, Nupur Nagar.
Editor: T V Ramachandra.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EWRG, CES, IISc.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: ENVIS Technical Report: 75
Subject: Trees of Bengaluru.
Keywords: Bengaluru, Bangalore, Trees, tree density, vegetation density, trees per person.
Abstract: Urban vegetation includes trees, shrubs and herbs in public and private lands (parks, streets, backyards) in the landscape dominated by paved surface. Urban vegetation plays a vital role as moderates micro climate apart from sequestration of green house gases (CO2, etc) and aid in the percolation of water. World health organisation recommended minimum green space of 9.5 km2/person) considering the services (oxygen, moderation of micro climate) and goods in the urban environment. Estimates indicate that about 6 tons of carbon is sequestered by 1 hectare forests annually and this accounts to 6 kg/tree/year. Per capita respiratory carbon ranges from 192 to 328 kg/year depending on physiology of humans (525-900 gms/day/person depending on the physiology). This means 32 to 55 trees per person in a region is required to mitigate respiratory CO2 only.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59163
Title: Urban Trajectory in Metropolitan and Megalopolis Regions of Karnataka, India
Author: T V Ramachandra, Bharath H Aithal.
Editor: T V Ramachandra.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EWRG, CES, IISc.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: ENVIS Technical Report: 59
Subject: Urban Trajectory in Metropolitan and Megalopolis Regions of Karnataka, India
Keywords: Land cover, land use, Landscape Metrics, Urbanisation, Urban Sprawl, Remote Sensing, Tier II, Karnataka, India.
Abstract: Rapid irreversible changes in land cover in recent days are due to unplanned urban planning in a region. Urban growth is driven by burgeoning population and has been accompanied with the mismanagement of natural resources. Urbanization subsequent to opening up of Indian markets in early ninety ' s show dominant changes in land use during the last two decades. Human-induced land use changes are the prime drivers of the global environmental changes. Urban regions in India are experiencing the faster rates of urban dominance, while peri-urban areas are experiencing sprawl. Megalopolis regions (Tier II cities) in India are undergoing land cover changes in recent times and need to be planned to minimize the impacts of unplanned urbanization. This report focuses on seven Megalopolis regions (tier II cities), chosen based on population. Mysore, Shimoga, Hubli, Dharwad, Raichur, Belgaum, Gulbarga and Bellary are the rapidly urbanizing regions of Karnataka, India. In this study, an integrated approach of remote sensing and spatial metrics with gradient analysis was used to identify the trends of urban land changes with a minimum buffer of 3 km buffer from the city boundary has been studied (based on availability of data), a significant increase of urban built-up area during the last four decades. Landscape metrics indicates the coalescence of urban areas has occurred in almost all these regions. urban growth has been clumped at the center with simple shapes and dispersed growth in the boundary region and the peri-urban regions with convoluted shapes.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59162
Title: Development of a high resolution land surface dataset for the South Asian monsoon region.
Author: C K Unnikrishnan, M Rajeevan, S Vijaya Bhaskara Rao, Manoj Kumar.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1235-1246, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Land-atmosphere coupling, land surface dataset, monsoon spells, soil moisture and temperature.
Abstract: In this study, we report the development of a high resolution land surface dataset for the South Asian monsoon region for studies on land surface processes, and land and atmosphere coupling. The high resolution land data assimilation system was used to develop the land surface dataset utilizing TRMM rainfall and ECMWF atmospheric variables as forcing parameters. The dataset was developed at a spatial resolution of 0.5 and temporal resolution of 1h and spans a period of 6 years, i.e. 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2010. The major highlights in the development of the present dataset are higher spatial and temporal resolution and land surface parameters, use of sub-daily forcing parameters including rainfall, use of MODIS land-use data in lieu of USGS land-use data and weekly varying vegetation fraction instead of monthly vegetation climatology. A comparison of soil moisture and soil temperature with limited surface observations of the IMD suggests reasonable reliability of the land surface data. The model sensible heat flux data are compared with in situ measurements at Ranchi and MEERA reanalysis data. The sensitivity analysis shows that the land surface data are sensitive to rainfall and green vegetation cover data used as the forcing parameters. The dataset has been used to discuss the variations of land surface processes associated with active and break spells and a severe heat wave observed in 2009. The present dataset will be useful for many applications, including initializing numerical models for weather prediction. This high resolution land surface dataset is available for research on request.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59161
Title: An empirical analysis on number and monetary value of ghostwritten papers in China.
Author: Ze-wen Hu, Yi-shan Wu.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1230-1234, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Academic misconduct, empirical analysis, ghostwriting phenomenon, number and monetory value.
Abstract: In recent years, ghostwriting phenomenon has reached a dangerous level in China, partly due to the great ease of making ghostwriting transactions through the internet. However, there has been little literature trying to answer such questions as how many ghostwritten papers are publishing each year and how much monetary value is generated in the ghostwriting business. In order to answer these questions, we performed an empirical analysis to find the number and monetary value of ghostwriters papers in China. Our results show that there are nearly 1800 full-time equivalent ghostwritters in China who produced nearly 8000 ghostwritten papers in 2011, which is 0.1% of the total number of papers published in the same year in the country. Furthermore, there was a total monetary value of more than 4.46 million US dollars generated in ghostwriting business in 2011. Our estimated results will provide firm data support for policy-making related to ghost writing.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59160
Title: Microforaminiferal linings from the upper part of the Upper Disang Formation at Gelmoul quarry, Churachandpur, Imphal valley and their bearing on palaeoenvironment.
Author: Y Raghumani Singh, Jianguo Li, B P Singh, Venus Guruaribham.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 12223-1226, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Microforaminiferal linings, Upper Disang, Gelmoul quarry, Churachandpur, Imphal valley, Palaeoenvironment.
Abstract: Diverse microforaminiferal linings with a few pollen, spores and dinoflagellate cysts in the upper part of the Upper Disang Formation, Disang Group are reported in the present study. Five main types of microforaminiferal linings are encountered in the preparations by standard palaco-palynological analysis. These are biserial type II, planispiral type III, planispiral type IV, trochospiral type I and trochospiral type II. A warm, shallow marine environment of deposition for the upper part of Upper Disang Formation is implied on the basis of these linings and associated palymorphs. The occurence of flaser bedding and lenticular bedding in the Upper Disang Formation suggests that it deposited under a tide-dominated environment, most likely on a tidal-flat.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59159
Title: Thrips (Insecta ; Thysanoptera) fauna of Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
Author: H Chingthankhomba Singh, R Varatharajan.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1219-1223, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Thrips, Insecta, Thysanoptera, fauna, Kaziranga National Park.
Abstract: Thrips are one of the economically important insects, belonging to the order Thysanoptera, having fringes on the wings with the body size ranging from 1.5 to 16 mm (ref. 1). The small body size of thrips is compensated by their appreciable breeding potential and quick development with at least 10-12 generations per year, especially under the tropical climate. They display a great diversity in terms of feeding habit and habitat. With their piercing and sucking mouth parts, thrips feed on pollen grains, plant cell sap, fungal spore and mycelia, and even soft-bodied insects. Such feeding habits enable them to choose micro-habitats like flowers, leaf sheaths, underneath barks, plant, galls, leaf litters, etc. By virtue of their association with plants, some species could attain the status of primary pests, gall makers and vectors of plant diseases, besides pollinators.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59158
Title: Environment Monitoring in the Neighbourhood.
Author: T V Ramachandra, Asulabha K S, Durga Madhab Mahapatra, Sincy Varghese, Bharath H Aithal, Gouri Kulkarni, Sudarshan P Bhat, Bharath Settur, Harish R Bhat, Vinay S.
Editor: T V Ramachandra.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EWRG- CES -Indian Institute of Science.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: ENVIS - Technical Report: 77
Subject: Water and Environment.
Keywords: Water, environment, Monitoring , analysis, neighborhood.
Abstract: Environment monitoring is essential for evaluating environmental planning and policy. Long term monitoring helps in evaluating the success of policy as well as helps in identifying areas for improvement. Environmental monitoring provides a vital scientific insights of long-term trends apart from new knowledge and understanding.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59157
Title: Colonization and antagonistic activity of entomopathogenic Aspergillus sp. against tea termite (Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder)
Author: Piyush Pandey, L Paikhombha Singha, Baby Singha.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1216-1219, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Colonization, antagonistic activity, entomopathogenic Aspergillus sp. against tea termite (Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder)
Abstract: Tea is widely planted in the tropical and subtropical zones including India, China, Vietnam, Japan and Sri lanka. India produces 3.5% of the world ' s tea, and its 400,000 ha land in the northeast region is under tea cultivation. however, despite the availability of improved technology, nutrition and fertility management, biotic stresses like insect pests and diseases limit the productivity of tea, resulting in 11-55% annual loss in yeild. Termites include more than 2600 species around the world, but only few (70-80 species) are considered of economic importance. In India, there are eight species of termites that cause damage to tea plants, out of which Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder, M obesi Holmgern and Odontotermes feae have been identified and confirmed by the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkatta from the Barak valley, Assam.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59156
Title: Analysis of acoustic emission data to estimate true fracture energy of plain concrete.
Author: S Muralidhara, B K Raghu Prasad, R K Singh.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1213-1216, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Acoustic emission, data esitmate, fracture energy of plain concrete.
Abstract: Fracture process in concrete has been the core subject of research in fracture mechanics of concrete. Several models have been developed to explain the fracture process. Upshot of the research studies is the identification of fracture process zone (FPZ) that is formed ahead of the crack tip. Viewing the formation of FPZ has been made possible by new techniques.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59155
Title: Recent and past floods in the Alakananda valley: causes and consequences.
Author: Naresh Rana, Sunil Singh, Y P Sundriyal, Navin Juyal.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1209-1212, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Floods, Alakananda valley, causes, cosequences.
Abstract: Uttarakhand Himalaya in general and Alakananda and Bhaghirathi valleys in particular have experienced one of the worst forms of disaster in recent times (Figure 1). Flash floods are common in the Himalaya, but the kind of destruction witnessed this time was unparalleled in recent history. Houses collapsed like a pack of cards and the roads and bridges swept away in the turbulent flood waters.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59154
Title: Interdisciplinary research: way forward for biodiversity conservation.
Author: Paramesha Mallegowda.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1202-1203, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Interdisciplinary research, biodiversity conservation.
Abstract: Increase in human population has been responsible for depletion of natural resources and loss of wildlife habitat, both directly and indirectly. It is acknowledged that interactions between humans and nature are responsible for creating critical and complex conservation challenges in both ecological and social worlds and these are not resolvable through the knowledge acquired from a single discipline. It is time that a more holistic approach is adopted to address and understand the socio-economic dimensions of biodiversity conservation are embedded in understanding the human dimension with its social, cultural, political economic and legal complexities. An interdisciplinary approach to challenges like that of human-wildlife conflict, will help scientists to arrive at better solutions that might ensure conservation of nature in the longer run.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59153
Title: Open access or no access.
Author: Veena Iyer, Gulrez Shah Azhar.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no. 9), pp. 1202-1202, 2013
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Open access, Researcher, Journals, Articles.
Abstract: We would like to add to the current discussion, the peculiar quagmire Indian authors find themselves in because of the recent open access movement. Science clearly benefits from building on the work of other researchers and cannot be done in a vaccum. In the past, Indian scientists, besides getting research funding for their projects from donors, had to navigate this ' access ' to the work of other researchers as another obstacle. The pay walls and article access fees were(and still are) especially difficult for smaller institutions and individual researchers. These access fees exists despite astronomical and ever-increasing profits made by major publishers (more than a billion euros for Elsevier). Writing of review articles was practically impossible. Adding to this misery, even subsidized access programmes like the WHO-supported HINARI arbitrarily excluded India, a country with a large scientific community and a fifth of the global population.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None