ID: 55207
Title: Medicinal plant diversity in newly reported sacred grove of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand
Author: Harsh Singh, Pushpi Singh and Tariq Husain
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Sacred grove, Haat Kali sacred grove, Medicinal plant, conservation
Abstract: Sacred groves are small or large patches of vegetation dedication to local ancestor or deities and often represented climax vegetation of the region. Haat Kali sacred grove, which is newly reported, is one such example in having important medicinal plants and many non-medicinal plants. The grove covers an area of 1.7 approximately and consists of 22 species belonging to 22 genera and 22 families of medicinal palnts which are not found in the other parts of the district at the same altitude of 1750 m. It is important to conserve this type of grove in having maximum genetic diversity of medicinal plants by strong steps.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55206
Title: Tree diversity and population structure in a lowland tropical rainforest in the Eastern Himalaya, India
Author: Panna Deb, R C Sundriyal and Uma Shankar
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Lowland Tropical Rain Forests, Namdapha National Park, Species diversity, Tree structure, Conservation, Northeast India
Abstract: The tropical rainforests in the northeast India are least investigated despite of their high diversity and being located at the northern most limit of the rainforests that occur farthest from the equator. The lowland tropical rainforests at Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalaya) was investigated for tree species diversity, population structure and species richness with reference to three distinct canopy covers, viz. an Altingia - mixed species stand, Shorea -Dipterocarp stand, and an Albizia stand. A total of 1053 tress covering 130 species in 44 familes were recorded at > 10cm dbh, while 34526 individuals covering 104 species in 44 families were enumerated at < 10 cm dbh. The tree species richness for three inventoried stands varied from 98, 54 and 20 species in > 10 cm dbh with overall density of 418, 390 and 245 trees ha-1 for the three stands respectively. Lauraceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fagaceae and Leguminosae dominated the flora; thus the forest exhibited typical attributes of lowland evergreen tropical rainforests.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55205
Title: Correlation between morpho-anatomical characters of Centella asiatica L to diverse habitat conditions of Assam (India)
Author: S K Sarma and K Mazumder
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Centella asiatica, morpho-anatomy, habitat, soil
Abstract: Different morpho-anatomical characters of Centella asiatica in response to diverse habitat conditions of Assam have been reported. The climate of Assam is generally of sub-tropical type influenced by northeast monsoon, with neither too cold in the winter nor too hot in summer. Assam ' s soils have been classified into the following three types- red loamy, lateritic and alluvial. Site Santipur, Gauhati University campus, Barpeta and Mangaldoi are made up of alluvial soil cover, whereas Sivasagar is capped by red loamy soil. Results showed significant correlation among morpho-anatomical characters of C. asiatica with soil nutrients concentration. Magnesium concentration was positively correlated with flower size. High pH levels increase the leaf size by releasing important ions like potassium. Negative relationship was obtained between soil phosphorous concentration and flower size. Calcium concentration increased inflorescence size. Soil layers and high soil calcium increased the thickness of hypodermal layers.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55204
Title: Solar kiln drying of timbers of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Acacia nilotica and Dalbergia sissoo
Author: N K Upreti, M C Kukreti, Chetan Swaroop and Kishan Kumar V S
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo, Drying rate, Eucalyptus tereticornis, solar kiln drying, fiber saturation point
Abstract: Solar drying of wood of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Acacia nilotica and Dalbergia sissoo has been tried in a single glass-walled solar kiln. Of the three species studied, the moderately refractory wood of D. sissoo dried much faster than wood of E. tereticornis and A nilotica. All the three species dried at the rate of 2-3% per day below their respective fiber saturation points. No visible case hardening could be detected after solar drying in any of the species.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55203
Title: Genetic analysis for seed traits in Acacia nilotica (Linn) Willd. ex del ssp Indica (Benth) Brenan (Babul)
Author: M Ayoub Dar, S Nautiyal, Meena Bakshi, H Mehta, O P Chaturvedi and J M S Tomar
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Genetic gain, Genetic variability, heritability, seed traits, germination percent, seed source and Acacia nilotica
Abstract: Genetic parameters for nine pod and seed traits, and percent germinatin were worked out in thirty seed sources of Acacia nilotica mostly from the state of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Values for variability expected genetic gain were calculated for all individual characters. Seed length, seed width and 100 seed weight exhibited high genetic variability, heritability and genetic gain. Correlation study revealed that pod thickness ; pod weight, seed length, seed width, seed thickness and 100 seed weight had significant and positive association with germination percentage. These traits therefore should be given priority for improving germination in Acacia nilotica.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55202
Title: Relationship between floral characters and floral visitors of selected angiosphermic taxa from Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Southern Western Ghats, India
Author: P Selva Singh Richard, S Abraham Muthukumar and H Malleshappa
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: KMTR, Trees, Floral Reward, Floral Visitor, Pollinator
Abstract: Diurnal floral visitors fo 27 woody Angiosperms were observed from Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve (KMTR), Southern Western Ghats, Tirunelveli District, between 2008 and 2010. The foraging profiles of floral visitors as well as the flower characters were analysed. It was found that although visitor profiles were sometimes consistent with classic pollination syndromes, these syndromes were unreliable predictors of floral visitors. The majority of flowering plants was unspecialized in their morphology, and consequently hosted a diverse array of visitors. Bees being the potential pollinators visited species with purple or pink flowers that are not strictly confirm to the melittophilous syndrome. Bright coloured, tubular flowers were associated with birds, with more accessible nectar. Ants were noted as nectar thieves in some plants. Altitude was a major factor in determining visitors, with flies being the most abundant visitors of many plant species, while others received very few potential pollen vectors.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55201
Title: Ethno-medico-botany of Godhra forest division of Panchmahal district, Gujarat State
Author: G Yadaiah, Bindiya Oza and Parul Joshi
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Ethno-medico-botany, Godhra Forest Division, medicinal plants, Cassia auriculata, Cassia occidentalis, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Tecomella undulata, Tridax procumbens
Abstract: Survey was conducted in randomly selected 19 villages in Godhra Forest Division. Informations were gathered from the local people of the villages about the medicinal uses of plants available in the forest area by using systematic questionnaire. The forests of Godhra are rich in plant diversity and many important medicinal plants are there in the forest. 68 identfied plant species were reported to be used to treat an array of ailments by tribals of teh division. Some of these plants are commonly used in all the surveyed villages for same diseases, but there are some plants which are varied in thier uses among villages. The medicinal plants commonly used by tribal are cassia auriculata, Cassia occidentalis, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Tecomella undulata, Tridax procumbens, etc.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55200
Title: North Indian Asiatic elephant population conflict with man with reference to crops damage
Author: K N Singh
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Elephant raids, Agricultural crops, crop damage, grazing, biotic pressure
Abstract: The problem of raiding of agricultural crops by elephants in the foothills of Himalayas in Uttarakhand has been studied during the period - 1995 - 2000. The damage to the crops is classified in three categories viz. trampling, grazing and browsing. Maize is the crop most favoured by elephants followed by sugarcane, mustard and wheat. The damage to the crops varied from 21.63% to 12.47% in the villages studied. The damage remained nearly constant over the period. Seasonal migration, competition for water, reduction or fragmentation of natural habitat, replacement of crops by sumptuous crops etc are the main reasons behind elephant raids. Forest fires infirmity, heavy biotic pressure resulting in increased competition for fodder and the element of chance are some other reasons for elephant raids.
Some of the solutions suggested for the problem are making noise by beating canisters, shouting in groups, lighting fire and torches, digging trenches and using flashlights etc. Other measures suggested are immediate stoppage of all non forestry works within the elephant habitat and absolute ban on human encroachment in elephant habitat. Control over grazing by cattle in the habitat areas, provision of a buffer belt of thorny trees at the forest boundary, ban on cultivation of tempting crops such as sugarcane, elimination of disturbances in and around the natural corridor used by elephants for movement, promotion of eco-development activities in the adjoining villages, digging of elephant proof tenches, and providing water inside elephant habitat during lean period etc. are also suggested.
Traditional electric fences are found fatal and are not recommended while high voltage non fatal electric fence are suggested which can be powered by solar batteries.
Anchored mela shikar, where trained domestic elephants are used to chase away rowdy wild elephants and capture and translocation of such rowdy wild elephants are also suggested as a solution.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55199
Title: Valuation of ecosystem services form planted forests: prevention of wind erosion - A case study form Haryana, India
Author: N S Bisht, M S Gusain, C J Singh and A K Hooda
Editor: Dr S S Negi
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 8, August 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Wind erosion, ecosystem servies, Willingness to pay (WTP), plantation, household
Abstract: A study was conducted in Haryana. India to estimate the value of regulation function of planted forests related to the prevention of damage caused by wind erosion. The region is dry, sandy and barren with low rain fall. The crop production is adversely affected due to wind erosion. Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was applied to assess local ' s willingness to pay (WTP) for raising plantation and its maintenance for mitigating the impact of wind erosion. The mean WTP was estimated @ Rs 448.00 per house hold per annum, while the collective WTP of respondents for raising plantations was estimated @ Rs 3049.00 per hectare per year.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55198
Title: Phylogenetic studies in Indian scleractinian corals based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences
Author: S Senthil Kumar, Ajay Gaur and S Shivaji
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 5, 10 September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cytochrome b, Indian scleractinian corals, mitochondrial DNA, phylogenetic studies
Abstract: Phlyogenetic relationships within and among three genera of the family Acroporidae, namely Acropora, Montipora and Astreopora were examined based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (690 bp) gene sequences with special emphasis on Indian scleractinian corals. Analyses using mitochondrial DNA sequences high-light the usefulness of a molecular approach for examining the phylogenetics, evolution and diversity of corals. The analysis based on various algorithms including neighbour joining and maximum parsimony along with network analysis clearly establishes the monophyly of Acropora and Montipora. The average number of pairwise differences within the three genera revealed maximum intragenus variability in Acropora, followed by Montipora and Astreopora.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55197
Title: Uptake and removal of toxic Cr(VI) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: physico-chemical and biological evluation
Author: Suparna Chatterjee, Indranil Ghosh and Kalyan K Mukherjea
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 5, 10 September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Bioremediation, metal adsorption, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, tannery effluents
Abstract: The present study evaluates the biosorption of Cr(VI) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa from synthetic solution and tannery effluents. The absorption was studied under different initial Cr(VI) concentrations at different pH values and in the presence of other metals. The Cr(VI) concentration in the effluent, sludge and soil of tannery industries was measured. A maximum absorption was found at 30 mg/l of Cr(VI) at pH 8, which decreased in the presence of cadmium. Cyclic voltammogram confirmed the reduction of Cr(VI). FTIR analysis showed that the caroxyl and amino groups on the bacterial surface bind chromium. SEM and EDX revealed that Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III).
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55196
Title: Changing long-term trends in tropospheric temperature over two megacities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain
Author: Chinmay Mallik and Shyam Lal
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 5, 10 September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Megacities, temperature trends, troposphere, warming
Abstract: The radiosonde data over two megacities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, viz. Delhi and Kolkata are examined to study the long-term trends in air temperature at various pressure levels between 850 and 150 hPa during 1973-2008. The maximum increase in temperature occurs at 700 hPa over both the stations during this period. The warming trends are seen until 400 hPa, whereas cooling trends are found to occur above this altitude. Overall, the annual long-term trends vary between +0.3 and - 0.20C/decade for the altitude range studied. Long-term trends in different seasons reveal highest warming during winter until 300 hPa over Delhi. Over Kolkata, the highest warming occurs during monsoon at heights above 700 hPa. These trends are found to be the lowest during post-monsoon. The important point that has emerged from this study is that there has been an accelerated rise in termperature during 1973-2008 when compared with a previous study which reported negative trends during an earlier period, i.e 1958-1985.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55195
Title: Demographic variations in basic science education in India: a case study of CSIR-UGC national eligibility test
Author: Inderpal, A K Saini and Rajesh Luthra
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 5, 10 September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Basic science education, capacity building, data envelopment analysis, human resource development, national eligibility test
Abstract: This article explores the demographic variations in basic science education across the country on the basis of the CSIR-UGC natioal eligibility test (NET) held during the period 2002-2006. The states, representing different demographic zones, were ranked according to the number of qualifying students and the percentage selected. A simple scatter plot of selection versus enrolment shows that Delhi and West Bengal perform better than the norm, whereas Kerala and Tamil Nadu relatively underperform. The data envelopment analysis technique has been employed to further examine the relative efficiency of basic science education, in terms of the number of students qualifying NET in five subjects, viz. chemical sciences; earth, atmospheric, ocean and planetary scineces; life sciences; mathematical sciences, and physical sciences, across different states of the country. The position of a particular state on the efficiency frontier could serve as a measure of capacity building in these disciplines.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55194
Title: Meeting India ' s future needs of electricity through renewable energy sources
Author: S P Sukhatme
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 5, 10 September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Electricity, future needs, per capita basis, population estimates, renewable energy
Abstract: In this article, an attempt is made to answer the question: Can renewable energy sources eventually supply India ' s electricity needs in the future? The estimates made here indicate that even with a frugal per capita electricity need of 2000 kWh/annum and a stabilized population of 1700 million by 2070, India would need to generate 3400 TWh/yr. As opposed to this, a systematic analysis of the information available on all the renewable energy sources indicates that the total potential is only around 1229 TWh/yr. It is concluded that in the future as fossil fuels are exhausted, renewable sources alone will not suffice for meeting India ' s needs.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55193
Title: Dermal fungal infection in a frog from the Western Ghats, India
Author: K V Gururaja, G Preeti, Rajashekhar K Patil, Andrew A Cunningham
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2011
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 101, No 5, 10 September 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