ID: 55537
Title: Ecological enumeration of tree vegetation and their contribution in removal of atmospheric pollution load: A case study in an industrial complex of Western Orissa, India
Author: P C Mishra, N Behera, S P Mishra and Kumarmani Meher
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2011
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 8, No 3, July 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Tree, ecological enumeration, canopy area, carbon sequestration, dust collection
Abstract: The study involves a detailed ecological and taxonomic enumeration of tree vegetation in and around the thermal power station (ITPS) at Banharpali, Jharsuguda district of Orissa. Information on phyto-sociological characters were used to calculate species frequency, density, girth size, canopy coverage and Importance Value Index (IVI), dominance and evenness indices. Presence of 37 native and 17 ornamental tree species besides planted trees were recorded. Species richness varied from 1 to 22, expected maximum diversity (Hmax) from 1.099 to 3.091, observed diversity from 0.877 to 2.708, gap in diversity from 3% to 44%. The dominance index (Cd) from 0.082 to 0.516 and evenness index (E ' ) from 0.7 to 0.8. The canopy density of different sites varied from 5% to 252% with a total canopy area from 1, 838,472 to 2,639,010 m2. From the coal combustion data, it was estimated that the ITPS annually releases 2.22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into atmosphere and vegetation in ITPS complex was able to sequester 4.6% - 6.7% of the emitted CO2. Annual dust emission by ITPS power plant was estimated to be 3318 tonnes. Vegetation inside ITPS complex was able to collect only 6.13% - 8.8% (203 -291 tonnes/year) of the emitted dust. However, if vegetational leaf area of surrounding forest around ITPS campus is taken into consideration, total annual dust collection figure amounts to 2413 (71%) to 4711 tonnes (> 100%).
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55536
Title: Agricultural intensification in South Asia and its contribution to Greenhouse gas emission: A review
Author: Nani Raut, Bishal Kumar Sitaula and Roshan Man Bajracharya
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2011
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 8, No 3, July 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Agricultural intensification, CH4 and N2O, livelihood, N inputs
Abstract: This paper reviewed the agricultural intensification in South Asian region. The indications of intensification in terms of intensive use of chemical fertilizers (urea) and introduction of agro equipments like tractor were reviewed. From 1961 to 2005, Sri Lanka was in the top position to intensify agriculture. There has been a feedback loop betweem agricultural intensification and climate change. The observed positive outcome of agricultural intensification are mainly improved livelihood and secure food whereas enhanced emissions of greenhouse gases due to addition of nitrogen fertilizers (N inputs) was examined as one of the negative outcomes. Agricultural soil has been adding up major green house gases like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere through tillage, fertilizer application and irrigation. From the review, N2O emission from total arable land (in ' 000ha) were analysed and estimated. The N2O emission rate was found to be highest in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (3 kg of N2O-N per ha) followed by India and Pakistan (2Kg of N2O - N per ha), assuming that crop intensification will demand urea application in all arable land in future.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55535
Title: Factors affecting denitrificaiton rate in Barato Lake, Hokkaido, Japan
Author: Pawan Kumar Jha and Minagawa Masao
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2011
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 8, No 3, July 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Barato lake, denitrification rate, Ishikari river, Michaelis - Menten kinetics
Abstract: We examined the sediment denitrification rate and factors affecting the denitrification in Barato lake, an eutrophic oxbow lake in lower Ishikari river basin. Denitrification rate was measured using acetylene inhibition technique on the sediment samples collecte during August 2009 to July 2010. The sediment denitrification rate ranged from 0.13 to 2.21 ?g Ng-1DM h-1with an average of 0.91 ?g Ng-1DM h-1in Barato lake. Denitrification rate showed positive correlation with dissolved nitrate concentration of lake water, indicating that water column nitrate concentration control the sediment denitrification rate in Barato lake. Nutrient amended denitrification assay experiments showed that denitrification rate increased significantly with addition of nitrate regardless of sediment C content, while no significant variation was observed with addition of labile C (glucose). Temperature positively affected the rate of denitrification with five-fold increase in activity on increasing temperature from 50C to 200C. Nitrate controlled denitrification followed Mcihaelis - Menten kinetics with Vmax as 2.65 ?g Ng-1DM h-1and Km as 0.48 mg/l NO3--N. The value of Km was comparable with other studies but was well below the median dissolved nitrate concentration (2.95 mg/l NO3--N) indicating that the process of denitrification was saturated in Barato lake.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55534
Title: Receding water levels hasten metamorphosis in the frog, Sphaerotheca breviceps (Schneider, 1799): a laboratory study
Author: Santosh M Mogali, Srinivas K Saidapur and Bhagyashri A Shanbhag
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Metamorphosis, receding water levels, Sphaerotheca breviceps, tadpoles
Abstract: Gosner stage 19 tadpoles of Sphaerotheca breviceps were exposed to constant or progressively decreasing water levels until metamorphosis with abundant food supply. The tadpoles experiencing constant water levels (column height of 40 mm) reached metamorphic climax (MC) in 35.07 + 0.44 days and metamorphosed at 39.00 + 0.43 days at a mean body mass of 409 + 9.0 mg and 14.64 + 0.08mm snout-vent length. In constrast, the larvae experiencing decreasing water levels (from 40 to 12 mm column height) reached MC in 30.93 + 0.35 days and metamorphosed at 34.73 + 0.35 days at a significantly smaller body mass and size compared to those reared in constant water levels. In both the treatments survival of tadpoles was 100%. The study reveals that S. breviceps tadpoles are capable of developmental plasticity and with progressive decrease in water levels, the trade-off between growth and development is in favour of development, resulting in early metamorphosis at a small size.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55533
Title: Contemporary gene flow and mating system analysis in natural teak forest using microsatellite markers
Author: S Sabna Prabha, E P Indira and Pramod N Nair
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Contemporary gene flow, mating system, pollen and seed dispersal, Tectona grandis
Abstract: Mating system as well as contemporary gene flow through pollen and seed dispersal were analysed in a disturbed natural teak population in the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India, using microsatellite markers. DNA analysis of 174 adult teak trees, 180 seed/fruit progenies and 100 seedlings on the forest floor revealed that this teak stand has a gene diversity of 0.563 harbouring 7% inbreeding. On comparing the genotypic fingerprints of each of the progenies and the known maternal parents as well as all the adult trees in the population, the unknown parents could be identified using the maximum likelihood method. The results showed that the gene flow through pollen acts over longer distances than through seed dispersal, since the main range of pollen dispersal distance was 151-200 m and that of seed dispersal was 50-100 m. Estimation of the mutilocus outcrossing rate in this population showed that Tectona grandis is predominantly an outcrossing (96.11%) species. The results also showed that teak prefers multi-parental mating even up to the extent of having genetically non-identical seeds even within individual fruits. The data generated through the present study on pollen and seed migration rates and their relatives contribution to total gene flow at different spatial scales are essential for developing strategies for in situ conservation. The information gathered is also vital for effective management of seed orchards and for formulating genetic conservation measures, as the pattern of gene flow strongly influences the genetic structure within populations.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55532
Title: Stable isotopes study on geothermal waters in eastern India
Author: Pradeep Kumar, Nisith K Das, C Mallik and R K Bhandari
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Geothermal water, meteoric water, stable isotope
Abstract: An experimental study on stable-isotopes (?D, ?18O)of thermal waters as well as non-thermal waters, from different geothermal springs in the Ganga-Mahanadi basin is reported. A total of 38 water samples were collected during September 2010 and analysed by elemental analyser followed by stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The isotopic composition for oxygen indicates that the water rock interaction is insignificant for the springs in the study area whereas the ?D values indicate blending between thermal and non-thermal waters. The results reveal that the origins of the thermal spring waters are primarily meteoric origin.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55531
Title: Exploration for groundwater in the basaltic Deccan traps terrain in Katol Taluk, Nagpur district, India
Author: S N Rai, S Thiagarajan and Y Ratna Kumari
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Deep aquifers, exploration, groundwater, vertical electrical sounding
Abstract: This communication describes the results of vertical electrical soundings carried out at 12 sites for delineation of deeper aquifers in the Deccan traps terrain in Katol Taluk, Nagpur District, Maharashtra, India. Interpretation of sounding data suggests the presence of water-bearing intertrappeans/vesicular and fractured zones within the trap sequence and sedimentary formations below the traps, which are considered to be a potential source of groundwater for meeting the increasing demand for water supply.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55530
Title: Techno-economic feasibility of conservation agriculture in rainfed regions of India
Author: Shalander Kumar, K L Sharma, K Kareemulla, G Ravindra Chary, C A Ramarao, Ch Srinivasa Rao and B Venkateswarlu
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Carbon sequestration, conservation agriculture, net benefits, rainfed regions
Abstract: This article examines the potential of conservation agriculture (CA) in rainfed areas particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Indian subcontinent. The CA practices under different types of rainfall, soil and production system were identified based on the analysis of studies undertaken in different agro-climatic regions of India. The net benefits from different suggested CA practices were estimated at current prices for the year 2010 based on the results of long-term experiments conducted at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India and centres of its All-India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture, which ranged from Rs 325 to 18,000 ha-1. The capital requirement of various CA practices was also estimated. The analysis shows that CA in its broader context not only imporves soil health but also gives higher net returns per unit of land to the farmers. However, the CA practices need to be adopted selectively in different rainfall, soils and agro-ecological situations. The advantage of CA practices can be availed in rainfed agro-ecology, if practised appropriately over long-term basis. Higher carbon sequestration through CA practices may also give additional benefits in terms of carbon emission reduction, if made easily tradable in future. However, for promotion of CA practices across diverse agroecologies, appropriate policy, and institutional and technology support would be a prerequisite.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55529
Title: Early prehistoric signatures of man in Bastar region, Central India
Author: Anek Ram Shankyan, Laxmi Narain Dewangan, Ranju Hasini Sahoo, Rana Chakravarty, Rabin Chatterjee
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55528
Title: Climate change and its impacts on Indian birds: monsoon phenology and monitoring heronry birds
Author: A J Urfi
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Field ornithology, wetlands
Abstract: Field ornithology has provided important data about the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. Long term nesting record-keeping traditions in Europe have played a crucial role in advances in our understanding of these phenomena. In the context of Asia, the seasonal monsoonal rains are the primary drivers of bird nesting and some studies have sought to establish a relationship between monsoon regimes and reproduction cycles of birds across India by elucidating the manner in which the rains trigger the cycles of birds. An important group of birds which can further enhance our understanding of the underlying causal relationships between the monsoon and bird reproduction is heronry birds. These birds depend upon wetlands for food resources and long-term heronry monitoring programmes can be useful for conservation.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55527
Title: Nitrogen management for sustainable development
Author: N Raghuram, Sunitha Sangar and Yash P Abrol
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 9, 10 November 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55526
Title: The science of saving tigers
Author: K Ullas Karanth
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 8, 25 October 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55525
Title: Observations of near - conjugate high-latitude substorms and their low-latitude implications
Author: Anand K Singh, B Jayashree, A K Sinha, Rahul Rawat, B M Pathan and Ajay Dhar
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 8, 25 October 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Auroral electrojet, geomagnetic substorms, magnetic field disturbances, Pi2 pulsations
Abstract: Geomagnetic substorms are triggered on the nightside of the earth ' s magnetosphere and the most dramatic effect is observed at the auroral latitudes (600-700 magnetic). Magnetic field disturbances observed at a set of longitudinally distributed auroral stations are used to derive auroral electrojet (AE) indices being widely used to monitor substorm activities. We presetn observations of magnetic substorms having more prominent effect poleward of the standard auroral oval. Magnetic data from the third Indian Antarctic station, Bharati (BHA; corrected geomagnetic (CGM) coordinates: 74.70S, 96.60E) in conjunction with IMAGE chain data (near conjugate station Hornsund HOR; CGM coordinates: 74.30N, 108.50E) have been subjected to detailed examination to study such substorms. The substorms presented in this study were mainly localized to high latitudes and hence the standard AE indices failed to monitor such substorm activities. Nevertheless, typical low-latitude features of substorm, for example, positive bay and Pi2 burst on the nightside were distinctly evident.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55524
Title: A new caecilian Ichythyophis davidi sp. nov. (Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae): the largest striped caecilian from the Western Ghats
Author: Gopalakrishna Bhatta, K P Dinesh, P Prashanth, Nirmal Kulkarni, C Radhakrishnan
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 8, 25 October 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55523
Title: Diatom distribution and its relationship with water quality in the Mahi river basin
Author: Anupam Sharma, Kamlesh Kumar, Vandana Prasad, Biswajeet Thakur
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 8, 25 October 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None