ID: 57697
Title: Survey of earthworm species used for vermicomposting in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, South India
Author: V Lakshmi and M Ebenezer
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 1800
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavatus, Eisenia fetida vermicomposting, vermiculture, earthworms
Abstract: Over 4,400 individual species of earthworms have been recorded throughout the world, researchers classified them into three categories, based on their habits in the soil and the three categories are endogeic, anecic and epigeic. Endogeic works build complex lateral burrow systems through all layers of the upper mineral soil. They are the only category of worms which actually eat significant volumes of soil and not strictly the organic compenent. These worms tend to be medium-sized and pale coloured. Anecic worms build permanent, vertical burrows that extend from the soil surface down through the upper mineral soil layer. Epigeic worms live in the top soil, and in hte duff layer on the soil surface. These small, deeply pigemented worms have a poor burrowing ability, preferring instead an environment of loose organic litter or loose topsoil rich inorganic matter to deeper soils. Epigeic species feed on organic surface debris and have adapted beautifully to the rapidly shifting, dynamic environment of the soil surface. Thought there are 4,400 species available in the world, only around 30 species are endemic. Out of these species only a few are engaged in vermiculture. The present survey was conducted, in seven sub divisions of Tirunelveli District. Ambasamudiram, Alangulam, Valliyoor Cheranmahadevi, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai. Totally about sixty farmers were practicing the vermicomposting process in small scale with 2-5 kinds of species. They reported that their most preferable species for vermicomposting were Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavatus and Eisenia fetida because the consumption, growth and reproduction rate of this species were very high when compared to other species.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57696
Title: Implication of medicinal plants in the conservation of butterfly diversity: A case study from Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Central India
Author: S Kiruba, Pankaj Kumar Sahu, S Jeeva and S Sam Manohar Das
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Butterfly, medicinal plants, Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Conservation, Madhya Pradesh
Abstract: Biodiversity provides millions of people with livelihood helps to ensure food security and is rich source of both traditional medicines and modern pharma and neutraceuticals. Any change in floral biodiversity modifies the global environment and affecgts the faunal diversity. The repository of medicinal platns in the natural Sal forest of Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (AABR) is found to support significantly rich butterfly diversity. In this study a detailed survey was done on the medicinal plants and butterfly population of the bioserved. Seventy plant species belonging to 43 families of Angiosperms were recorded. These plants support about 25 species of butterflies. The voracious butterfly larvae eat the foliage of the medicinal plants and pupate on them. Most of the adult butterflies solely depend on this plant for their nectar requirement. Increasing anthropogenic disturbances and animal grazing in the biosphere reserve are likely to affect the species richness and diversity of medicinal plants. This will drastically affect the populations of the butterflies solely dependent on these rare medicinal plants. Conservtion of butterfly biodiversity in this biosphere reserve is possible only when the loss of medicianl plant biodiversity is prevented.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57695
Title: Bird ' s nest fungi in India: A new record from Sikkim
Author: Kanad Das and Ruilin Zhao
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Bird ' s nest fungi, taxonomy, India, Nidula candida
Abstract: Members of the family Nidulariaceae Dumort. (currently under Agaricales) are generally considered as Bird ' s Nest Fungi. Nidulariaceae is represented in India by three genera and 16 species, namely, one species of Nidula, 14 species of Cyathus and one species of Crucibulum. Nidula emodensis, the only known species of the genus Nidula from India was reported earlier from the state Sikkim in 1854. Recently, a number of macro-fungal explorations were undertaken in different parts of Sikkim Himalaya and a large number of samples were collected. The morphological examination followed by thorough literature survey of those samples revealed some unrecorded species for India. Out of which, one appeared to be Nidula candida. The detailed description of this species along with the coloured plates is presented in this communication for the first time from India. Moreover, a provisional key to all the 17 species of Bird ' s Nest Fungi (including N. candida) found from Indian subcontinent is also provided.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57694
Title: Distribution of pestiferous terrestrial molluscs in Bangalore region, Karnataka
Author: M Jayashankar, N A Aravind and M S Reddy
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Pestiferous molluscs, Achatina fulica, Ariophanta solata, Macrochlamys indica, Laeviculis alter, Mariaella dussumierei, Deroceros leave
Abstract: Pestiferous molluscs are one of the biggest threats to agricultural and horiticultural crops worldwide. Globally, several studies have documented the species that are pest and the loss incurred from them. In India, the surveys mainly conducted in the Northern India and several papers have published in this regard. However, there are hardly any comprehensive survey which looked at all pestiferous snails and slugs in Southern India. We conducted surveys during 2008-2010 in anthropogenic and natural habitats to document the distribution of native and introduced malacofauna in the Bangalore region (12.970N 77.560E, Southern India. The snails and slugs identified during the survey include Achatina fulica (Bowdich), Ariophanta solata (Benson), Macrochlamys indica Godwin-Austen, Laeviculis alte (Ferrussac), Mariaella dussumierei (Gray) and Deroceros leave (Muller). Among these the marsh slug, Deroceros leave (Muller) is a first time record from Southern Idnia. The potential costs of these species on agriculture or the enviornment are largely unknown, but potentially immense.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57693
Title: Diversity, distribution and endemicity of earthworms in the Southern Kerala stretch of Western Ghats
Author: M Jaya, M Aja and K Vijayakumaran Nair
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Distribution, diversity, endemicity, earthworm, Southern Kerala, Western Ghats
Abstract: Diversity and distribution of the earthworm fauna in Southern Kerala stretch of Western Ghats was studied. The study area constitutes different sites from the urban, suburban and hilly areas as well as the high altitude stretches of up to 1890 m surrounded by shola forests regions. A total of 12 species of earthworms belonging to 6 genera coming under 4 families were recorded from the pedoecosystems of this region. These species were Pontoscolex corethrurus, Lampito mauritii, Perionyx excavatus, Perionyx sansibaricus, Perionyx pullus, Megascolex cochinensis, Megascolex konkanensis, Megascolex travancorensis, Megascolex trivandranus, Dichogaster annae, Dichogaster travancorenesis and Drawida travancorensis. They belonged to the families, Glossoscolecidae, :Megascolicidae, Octochaetidae and Moniligastridae. Of the 12 species recorded, P. corethrurus is exotic peregrine and L. mauritii, P. sansibaricus, P. excavatus, P pullus, M. cochinensis, M. tranvancorensis, M. trivandranus, M. konkanensis, Dichogaster travancorenesis, D. annae and Drawida travancorensis are native. It is found that M. trivandranus, M. tranvancorensis and M. cochinensis are endemic to the southern stretch of Western Ghats of Kerala. Of all the sties surveyed in this region.Karuman, a suburban hamlet, exhibuted the highest density of the worms. The worms coming under the family Megascolecidae were common across all the localities and habitats, except in Kazahakkuttam. The species, M. cochinensis and P. pullus are being reported for the first time from Thiruvananthapuram. The earthworms belonging to the genus Megascolex exhibited highest density and L. mauritii is the only species common to all the localities. Co-existence of as many as four different species has been noticed from the same collection site. The present study has revealed that the species diversity of earthworms in this stretch of Western Ghats is much more than what has been recorded during the past seventy five years.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57692
Title: Diversity of mangrove litter inhabiting microarthropods with special reference to their functional role in Midnapore (East) coast, West Bengal, India
Author: M K Dey, A K Hazra and S K Chakraborty
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Microarthropods, Mangroves, litter decomposition
Abstract: Microarthropods, an important faunal component in mangrove estuarine complex have been found to play significant role in nutrient cycling in mangrove ecosystem and exhibited spatial and temporal variation in respect of their density and distribution. The present paper deals with the diversity, seasonal variation of population density and community indices in relation to major ecological parameters in coastal estuarine environment of Midnapore (East), West Bengal, India. All total number 44 species under 18 genus 12 families of microarthropods have been recorded from different ecozones and litters of different mangrove species of the study areas. Maximum density and diversity have been shown at Nayachar Island followed by Dadanpathrabhar, Khejuri and Junput. A comprehensive laboratory studies on the role of different microarthropods in the decomposition of a selected mangrove plant species revealed successional occurrences of different microarthropods in different stages of decomposition. Microarthropodal materials from soil/litter were collected by stainless steel corer followed by an extraction process with Tullgreen faunal. Preserved sample (70% alcohol) have been identified and quantified under stereoscopic binocular microscope. The changes of physico-chemical parameters also studied viz. pH, organic carbon (%), salinity (ppt), total-N (ppm), total -P (ppm), available - K (ppm) to relate such changes with the changing pattern of species composition, density fluctuation of species composition and density fluctuation of microarthopods in different selected study areas.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57691
Title: Diversity and distribution of phytoplankton in Ashtamudi lake: The second largest Ramsar site in Kerala
Author: K B Devi, T Alexander, M P Nayar and P K Shaji
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Ashtamudi Lake, Phytoplankton, Ramsar sites
Abstract: Photosynthetic carbon fixation by phytoplankton represents the chief fraction of the organic production in most lake. Thus diversity, distribution, abundance and variation in phytoplankton give reliable information on energy turnover in an aquatic system. Their sensitivity and substantial variations in species structure often provide an indication of significant change in ambient conditions within an ecosystem and they are considered as good indicators of water quality. Ashtamudi Lake, located at the geographical coordination of 760 13 ' - 760 37 ' E and 80 54 ' - 80 59 ' N in Kollam district is the second largest Ramsar site in Kerala with a water spread area of 32 km2. In the present work, an attempt was made to explore the diversity and density of phytoplanktons in Ashtamudi lake and their relationship with selected physico chemical parameters of the lake water. A total of 121 species of phytoplanktons were identified from the lake, of which 20 species belonged to Cyanophyceae, 40 species to Chlorophyceae, 53 species were coming under Bacillariophyceae, 6 species in Dinophyceae and 2 species belonging to Euglenophyceae. The results indicated the predominance of Bacillariophyceae among the recorded species of phytoplanktons. The most abundant species in terms of population density were Microcystis aeruginosa, Cymbella cesati, Cosmarium spp. and Oscillatoria spp. The most diverse genera were Cymbella, Staurastrum, Navicula and Nitzschia and Euglenophyceae was the least represented group. The dominance of pollution tolerant species like Oscillatoria, Anabaena, Microcystis, Navicula, Nitzschia, Synedra, Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus, Coelastrum, and species of Euglena was also noteworthy. Spatial variations of phytoplankton communities were also evident in Ashtamudi Lake during the study.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57690
Title: Bamboo biodiversity and biofencing in a livestock fodder venture
Author: Anju Paul, Francis Xavier and E D Benjamin
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Bamboo diversity, livestock farming, biofencing, bamboo fodder, thumburmyzhy
Abstract: Bamboo, the tallest of the grass family, distributed widely in diverse climates, include 1450 species under seventy genera. Being one of the fastest growing plants on earth Bamboo may be a boon to the farming fraternity. The role of Bamboo in livestock fodder venture in Kerala state may not have been scientifically reported so far. The fragmented land holding; the sloping terrains and the wide climatic zones existing in Kerala state make different types of bamboo species suitable and ideal to be clubbed with fodder and livestock enterprises. Thought some varieties are scattered traditionally here and there in Kerala farm lands, a concrete effort to locate ideal bamboo species to be integrated with a livestock component was taken up in Cattle Breeding Farm (CBF), Thumburmuzhy; a livestock and fodder research station under Kerala Agricultural University. Bamboo in fodder land of the research station serves many purposes. Basically it was planned and planted for building up a bio-fencing to prevent crop raid by wild herbivores from an adjacent Reserve forest. The terrain is so steep that water harvesting is a need and planting Bamboo at the fodder land limits; prevents soil erosion and holds the running water. Moreover, the bamboo if selected can be a fodder replacer in scarcity. A field trial was laid out during 2008. Saplings of 20 varieties of exotic and indigenous Bamboo collected from gene pool of Scientific Institutions were planted around fodder lands. The CBF research station has 25 hectares of land out of which 18 hectares are under fodder cultivation. It has a boundary of around one kilometer with reserve forest and another 2 kilometer boundary with National Highway. Based on the growth parameters corresponding species of bamboo were selected and planned for planting in the boundary. One month old bamboo saplings were collected for this. Neither intercultural operations nor agricultural care practices were done in these as we follow an organic fodder development. Varietal peformance of the bamboo species were evaluated at periodic intervals. The height of the bamboo, number of clumps, girth and other foliage details were recorded at regular intervals. The Bamboo thickets and the fast increasing tillers formed the biological fencing around the boundary of the fodder land. Once the growth is complete the biological eco-friendly fencing will be an income generating plant source too. The effect of the root system of the bamboo planted around the fodder boundaries also prevented soil erosion. The runoff water that reaches the nearby Chalakudy river is a loss for the farm lands. The bamboo planted act as a barrier to block the runoff water and this is turn improved the water holding capacity of the fodder land. The bamboo root system will never hinder the growth of the fodder grass that is cultivated. The dried falling leaves unlike other three species will not hamper the growth of fodder grass cultivated. Bamboo can be economically better in some types of terrains and lands. The fodder lands boundary. A list of the different ideal species of Bamboo for livestock fodder venture is presented and the growth rate of the species is also presented. This will give a farmer to ascertain his terrain and soil type and help him to select the idela type of bamboo to be integrated with livestock and fodder. The revenue from this bio fencing will also be ascertained once the growth is complete. The major bamboo species grown at CBF Thumburmuzhy with better foliage were subjected to nutritional analysis. The different component like oxalate content, crude protein and crude fiber content of these bamboo types were evaluated and presented The bamboo bio fencing is an ideal integration in livestock fodder venture.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57689
Title: Analysis of image segmentation for radiographic images
Author: B Karthikeyan, V Vaithiyanathan, B Venkatraman, M Menaka
Editor: Prof Natarajan Gajendran
Year: 2012
Publisher: Indian Society for Education and Environment, Vol 5, Issue 11, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Journal of Science and Technology
Keywords: Image segmentation, thresholding, region growing, watershed, split and merge, k-means clustering
Abstract: Digital image processing is used to identify regions in an image by using various segmentation methods. This paper gives a brief account on five of the different segmentation techniques namely region growing, watershed, thresholding, split and merge, k-means clustering methods highlighting the advantages as well as disadvangates of each of these methods. A modification of traditional region growing segmentation method is presented which automatically selects the seed points and grows the regions until all the regions in the image are semented. The results of segmentation methods presented in the paper are not dependetn on the kind of image to be segmented and these methods are used in segmenting industrial radiographic weld images in which several defects like porosity, lack of fusion, slag line, incomplete penetrations, and wormholes occur. The methods are evaluated on various types of images and efficiency of these methods in the detection of several weld defects is presented along with the experiment results. The evlauation of performance of these different segmentation methods on samples images is done on hte basis of subjective criteria and conclusions are achieved. These methods are used to detect the flaws in an object by identifying the flawed region in the image. Due to this ability of region detection, it finds various applications in medical imaging, optical character recognition, computer vision, remote sensing, mobile robots and industrial radiography.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57688
Title: An investigation of lateritic soil cement for sustainable pavements
Author: Saravut Jaritngam, Woraphot Prachasaree, Opas Somchainuek and Pichai Taneerananon
Editor: Prof Natarajan Gajendran
Year: 2012
Publisher: Indian Society for Education and Environment, Vol 5, Issue 11, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Journal of Science and Technology
Keywords: Lateritic soil, crushed rock, cement, sustainable pavement, stabilization
Abstract: Shortage of crushed rock as pavement base course for road construction and an increase in fuel cost have prompted the search for alternative materials. In this regard, improvements of the lateritic soil cement (LSC) have been investigated. Many researches have focused on study of the properties of the stabilized soil. However, more researches have to be done in order to explain how soil properties have improved. The production of crushed rock involves drilling, blasting, crushing and transportation, whcih are the cause of environmental problems. The objective is to use the improved lateritic soil instead of crushed rock as the base course material for highway pavement construction. In order to understand why the LSC has higher strength, microstructure of LSC composite was investigated by X-ray diffraction machine (XRD) and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The improvement of the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of LSC composite was also evaluted. As regards the application aspect, the results show that cement mixed lateritic soils are suitable for base course construction. The investigation also shows that increase in UCS was attributed to the cement hydration within soil mass. resulting in the formation of reaction products as analyzed by XRD. IT was also found that UCS was proportionally increased with the amount of the major reaction products such as calcium silicate hydrate (CSH).
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57687
Title: Identifying and evaluating risks of construction projects in fuzzy environment: A case study in Iranian construction industry
Author: A Sotoodeh Gohar, M Khanzadi, Maryam Farmani
Editor: Prof Natarajan Gajendran
Year: 2012
Publisher: Indian Society for Education and Environment, Vol 5, Issue 11, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Journal of Science and Technology
Keywords: Construction projects, risk evaluation, fuzzy logic, analytic hierarchy process
Abstract: There is uncertainty in success of large scale construction projects in terms of time, coast, and quality due to technological constraints, large number of stakeholders, long time, much capital requirements, and improper definition of scope of the project. Such project with uncertain environment can be managed using the risk management concept in the project life cycle. Although concept of the risk depends on the management ' s opinions, it represents obstacles on not meeting the project ' s goals as well. In addition, analyzing the risk of the whole project can present perils regarding the extension of improper reactions. The present paper presents a quantitative method based on the fuzzy analytic hierarcy process (AHP) approach to manage the risk of construction projects in the uncertain environment. To do so, after identifying all risk factors, fuzzy AHP is applied to determine the priority of risk factors. The priority of risk factors could help construction project managers to do preventive attempts. The proposed method applied the fuzzy AHP approach such that it covers uncertainty present in the expert ' s opinions.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57686
Title: Folklore landscape of Kerala
Author: C R Rajagopalan
Editor: A. Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Publishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity - Utilization, threats and cultural linkages
Keywords: Ancient culture, Western ghats
Abstract: In Kerala - a region of inhabitants with ancient cultural imprints - the ' aborigines ' in the mountainous regions of Western Ghats, numbering about forty groups of tribes, and the rural agriculture folks and craftsmen have the traditions of centuries old eco-culture. Each community has its own tradition of music ways of ritual practices, and myths. The natives living in tune with nature have a very strong oral tradition, material culture, customs, performances and traditional knowledge encoded with a number of cultural and historical imprints. Their indigenous knowledge systems and culture impart a lot of information about their eco- history and social history; and this folklore about their landscapes was handed over from generation to generation. Their knowledge about the historical events is rich and scientific. Their myths and folk songs are indicators of their intuitive knowledge and fictionalized version of factual past history.
There are numerous performing arts of the ethnic communities, and among them both ritualistic and non-ritualistic performances such as Theyyam, Thira, Mudiyettu, Padayani, Poothan kali, Kaliyuttu folk dramas/performances like Kakkarissi, Porattunatakam, Malavazhiyattom, Kothamoori and Chimmanakkali etc are prominent. Almost all these performances are in some way or other connected with agrarian structure of the society and a portion of the harvest is offered to the deity and this has an effect of faith healing for the whole folk society. Ancient tribes had practiced a number of magic, shamanistic performances under the priesthood of the leader to ward off evil spirits considered to be responsible for various diseases. This practice accompanied by the administration of medicines extracted from plants can be termed as Relief Magic. Adiyar, Kanikkar, Malayan, Kadar are the main tribes in Kerala having medicine-magic practice combined. Gaddika, Chattu, Muramkulukkippattu are the prominent relief-magic theatre performances. Muramkulukkippattu are the prominent relief-magic theatre performances. Muramkulukkippattu are the prominent relief-magic theatre performances. Muramkulukkippattu also known as pey pattu (the songs to expel evil spirits) or Vilakkumuram pattu (Song performed in front of lamps) is practiced by Malayan, an aboriginal tribe living in places such as Peechi, Palapilly and Kodasseri high ranges of Thrissur district of Kerala.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57685
Title: Spiritual and ecological dimensions of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation, with special reference to Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala
Author: R Neeta Nair and V K Jayalekshmi
Editor: A. Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Publishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity - Utilization, threats and cultural linkages
Keywords: Sacred groves, culture, ethnobiology, biodiversity conservation, forests
Abstract: Sacred groves from specific ecological niches closely knitted with the life and culture of Keralites, which once used to be a ubiquitous phenomenon in ancestral households. They symbolize parcels of Tropical evergreen forests with distinct vegetation strata. These are potential sites for several rare, endemic and endangered species. At the same time, sacred groves act as islands of ethnicity in which the local communities protect these environmental systems out of their spiritual perception. Thiruvananthapuram, the southermost and capital district in Kerala, houses 151 sacred groves distributed over varied geographic zones. A random selection of sacred groves in Thirubananthapuram city has been doen for the perusal of their spiritual and ecological dimensions. The biodiversity conservation status of these ecologically viable sites has also been assessed on the basis of their geographic and floral characteristics. The involvement of local communities in upholding their religious ethos and thereby conserving sacred groves as heritage spots has also been qualitatively analyzed. The study revealed a strong correlation between the ethnic beliefs and the conservation status of sacred groves. Thriving strands of these ecological units still form the basis of biodiversity conservation in the present stressed out and strained atmosphere of city life.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57684
Title: ' Dashapurshpam ' - A culture, custom and a religious concept exclusive from Kerala and the scientific spirit behind
Author: Mini N Vijayan
Editor: A. Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Publishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity - Utilization, threats and cultural linkages
Keywords: Dashapushpam, religious ceremonies, Therapeutic, Ayurvedic antimicrobial, conserve, biodiversity
Abstract: ' Dashapushpam ' literally means ' Ten flowers ' - in this context, the work implies ' Ten flowering herbs ' each one symbolizing a deity in hindu mythology. The twigs of ten herbs together or otherwise are being used by a specific community in Kerala (India) for various religious ceremonies and rituals from tiem immemorial that are closely interlinked with the life of an individual. All these plants are having therapeutic uses and are widely used in Ayurvedic preparations and folk medicine in Kerala. Earlier studies on individual herbs of this category and a recetn investigation exclusively on ' Dashapushpam ' by the author have revealed the healing and antimicrobial properties of the herbs against some species of pathogenic microorganims. The present paper in addition to listing the plants, briefly enumerates the various religious rituals and customs involving ' Dashapushpam ' , common medicinal uses, outcomes of some recent researches and attempts to brings in an awarness of ancient wisdom of realizing the close knit relationship between nature and man and the urgency of triggering modern wisdom to conserve their biodiversity with a scientific spirit, in this era of climate change and global warming for the welfare of the present and future generations.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57683
Title: Spiritual dimensions of biodiversity conservation: A case study
Author: Kannan C S Warrier and C Kunhikannan
Editor: A. Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Publishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity - Utilization, threats and cultural linkages
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, spirituality, Sacred Groves, endangered species
Abstract: The tradition of sacred groves is prevalent in many states of India. Innumerable plant and tree species of medicinal importance and wild relatives of cultivars are being conserved in these invaluable resource pockets due to religious faith. Alappuzha being the only district in Kerala without natural forests at present, a study was undertaken to understand the floristic richness of the sacred groves which are the only remnants of natural forests once present in the region. An exhaustive field survey carried out covering all the 91 villages of the district revealed the existence of 1128 sacred groves with an area of 83.55 ha. A total of 687 plant species belonging to 493 genera and 127 families were recorded from these groves. Two critically endangered tree species namely, Syzygium travancoricum Gamble and Vateria indica L. were present among the 27 endemic species to Western Ghats. A rare climbing legume, Kunstleria keralensis Mohanan & Nair was identified from one grove. Wild relatives of cultivated species like Myristica malabarica Lam., Garcinia xanthocymus Hook.f.ex Anders. and Trichosanthes cucumerina L. could also be recorded. buchanania lanceolata Wight, a vulnerable species with its distribution limited mainly to sacred groves in Kerala was present in a few groves of Alappuzha. Among the 687 species of plants, 281 are known to possess medicinal values. Out of the 194 tree species, 57 are being used as timber, 26 as small timber and 68 yields non-wood forest produce (other than medicinal). Phytosociological studies were conducted separately for the agro-ecological zones. In the Coastal sandy region, Calophyllum calaba registered the maximum value for IVI followed by Artocarpus hirsutus, Quassia indica, Holigarna arnottiana and V. indica. Simpson ' s index and Shannon Wiener ' s index estimated from this region were 0.078 and 3.004 respectively. Hopea ponga ranked first with reference to IVI in the Onattukara region followed by V. indica, A. hirsutus and H. arnottiana. Proportion of lianas was also significant. Simpson ' s index worked out for Onattukara region was 0.121. The value for Shannon Wiener ' s index was 2.587. The maximum value for IVI was registered by H. ponga with reference to the third region. Southern midlands also, followed by V. indica, C. calaba, Alstonia scholaris and H. arnottiana. The values worked out for Simpson ' s index and Shannon Wiener ' s index were 0.117 and 2.751 respectively. Considerably variation was observed with reference to the area of the groves and it varied from 0.003 to 36 acres. Around 57 percent of the groves measured an area of less than 5 cents (200 m2). Two -hundred and thirty six groves (21%) were small groves having an area of 5 to 10 cents. Eighty-one groves (7%) were identified as moderately large (21 to 50 cents). Large (51 to 100 cents) and very large groves (> 100 cents) accounted only for 3 and 2 percent respectively. However, the smaller groves proved their significance by harbouring and critically endangered tree species indicating the requirement of utmost protection irrespective of its area.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None