ID: 52612
Title: Determinants of cropping pattern in the semi-arid zone of Southern Tamilnadu, India
Author: K.Saraswathi and C.Soudarrajan
Editor: Dr. K.P.Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 8, No 4, December 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Cropping pattern, stustainable agriculture, Olericulture, Rainfed semi-arid zone
Abstract: Determination of cropping pattern is essential to decide whether the agriculture is subsistence or sustainable. The present study was conducted to find the cropping pattern and its determinants in the semi-arid zone of southern Tamilnadu (Thirumangalam block, Madurai district). The survey was carried out to know the existing agricultural practices and it was correlated with rainfall, temperature, irrigation facility, market prices and socio-economic conditions of the cultivators. The study revealed that sorghum was suitable crop for rainfed area and paddy was appropriate crop for irrigated area. The Olericulture (vegetabe cultivation) had market support and provided promising economic profitability for the farmers of this area.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52611
Title: Diversity of Oceanic zooplankton in Andaman Sea
Author: C.Raghunathan, B.Mehmuna, C.Sivaperuman and R.Kirubagaran
Editor: Dr. K.P.Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 8, No 4, December 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Oceanic zooplankton, diversity, density, biomass, Andaman sea
Abstract: Andaman Sea is partially isolated portion of the northeastern Indian Ocean which lies enclosed between the coast of Burma, Thailand and Malaysia on the east and the chain of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sumatra islands of Indonesia on the west. The biomass, density, diversity and distribution of oceanic zooplankton were studied from 10 stations along the continental slope of Andaman Sea during September 10-20, 2008 by onboard research vessel ORV Sagar Manjusha. A total of 96 species of zooplankton belonging to 19 groups and 74 genera were recorded during the study. Copepods were the dominant group at all the stations and their composition of occurrence ranged from 30.39% at station 4 to 44.30% at station 7. The volume of zooplankton ranged between 4.7 mL/100m3 and 12.7 mL/100m3 at stations 6 and 3 respectively. However, the numerical density of zooplankton along the study area showed minimum as 17300 No./100m3 and maximum as 31620 No/100m3 at these stations. The data pertaining to physiochemical parameters of seawater were also collected and the results discussed.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52610
Title: Hydrological impact of a tidal regulator on land and on water in a tropical estuary of Kerala, India
Author: E.Shaji
Editor: Dr. K.P.Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 8, No 4, December 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Saline intrusion, Tidal regulator, Sand bar, Backwaters, Tidal barrages, Paravoor estuary
Abstract: An opportunity to study the effects of artificial structures like tidal regulators on the near-shore environment is provided by the manually operated tidal regulator constructed across a man-made canal in an estuarine environment in the tropical climatic setting of the sourthern coastal State of Kerala in India. The regulator was constructed across a man-made canal at Pozhikkara in 1957 to control the salt water intrusion into Paravoor Kayal (Kayal = back water or estuary) and to protect a natural estuary. This protection was originally being afforded by a feature locally known as ' Pozhi ' , which is in fact a natural sand bar occurring along the coast separating backwaters from the sea during the summer, but allowing the sea and the backwater to merge by its erosion during the monsoon. This natural sandbar, thus, protected the Paravoor estuary from sea water ingress from the Lakshadweep sea (of the Indian Ocean) during the summer season. When a situation, where the natural sandbar could not protect the estuary and the inland paddy crops from saline water ingress arose, the concept of an artificial tidal regulator was evolved by the farmers of the Ithikara Ela (Ela =paddy field). An artificial canal was constructed 500 m south of the sandbar by cutting the main land, thus, connecting the lake and the sea. Thereby, around 1 sq km of land was separated from the main land to become an island with 87 houses and 300 inhabitants. During 1985 the performance of the regulator started deteriorating, finally leading to its collapse in 1990. The water levels in the wells, the EC, pH, TH, Ca, Mg, Na, K, CO3, HCO3, SO4 and Cl were determined in this study. The hydrological impacts of this regulator were (i) the hydraulic continuity of the aquifer has been disturbed, (ii) the dug wells, which used to yield fresh water on the separated land mass, became dry within five years of commissioning of the regulator, as the canal became effluent in nature, (iii) the dug wells were consequently deepened and salt water intrusion began and at present more than 25 wells are saline due to salt water intrusion into the freshwater aquifer of the 1 sq km area, (iv) the Paravoor estuary is becoming more saline day-by-day due to the free flow of saline water through the canal, and (v) the Paravoor eatuary is getting filled up with ocean sediments during high tides and sand terraces are being formed within the lake. All these are direct outcome of the badly maintained tidal regulator. As a remedial step the spillway shutters should be refitted immediately. This will help protect the deteriorating environment and ecosystem of Paravoor estuary and the adjoining land. Rainwater harvesting is recommended for the polluted wells. The artificial tidal regulator project was implemented without a proper environmental impact assessment. Detailed environmental impact assessment is essential before implementing such schemes in coastal areas at the interface of varied environments, especially like an estuarine one in the tropics.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52609
Title: Amplified fragment length polymorphism analyses unravel a striking difference in the intraspecific genetic diversity of four species of genus Zingiber Boehm. from the Western Ghats, South India
Author: P.G.Kavitha, A.G.Kiran, R.Dinesh Raj, M.Sabu and G.Thomas
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: AFLP, genetic diversity, ginger, phylogeny, Zingiber
Abstract: Intraspecific genetic variation was assessed in cultivated ginger (Zingiber officinale) and its three wild congeners : Z.neesanum, Z.nimmonii and Z.zerumbet from Western Ghats, South India using 169 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers generated by six primer combinations. Different genetic diversity estimates depicted a striking difference in the genetic diversity of the species studied. The very low level of genetic diversity recorded in ginger complies with its obligatory asexual breeding behaviour. Contrary to the expectations, the genetic diversity of the widely distributed Z.zerumbet was relatively low while that of the endemic species Z.neesanum and Z.nimmonii was higher. Mode of reproduction presumably governs the level of genetic diversity in Zingiber species. Further, the analyses of AFLP data provided an insight into the phylogenetic relationship between ginger and other three species, with ginger being closest to Z.zerumbet.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52608
Title: Branch-branch connections in trees analogous to hyphal fusions in fungal colonies
Author: K.Sankara Rao and Ramesh Maheshwari
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Branch fusions, Caesalpinia ferrea, fungal hyphae, tree branching, tree design, signalling
Abstract: In the leopard tree Caesalpinia ferrea (Leguminosae) - a native of eastern Brazil- some of the leader branches connect to and fuse with neighbouring branches of the same tree. The bridge initials project out as pegs or protuberances and apparently extend in a coordinated manner, connecting branches up to 4 ft apart. The fusion of two branches of the same tree implies intra-plant communication involving signalling factor(s). The bridges resemble fusions between hyphae in a fungal colony. Whereas hyphal fusions are common and the process is apparently completed in <1 h, branch fusions in C.ferrea tree are limited and a slow process, apparently requiring several months to years to complete. Branch fusions in C.ferrea are in accord with Claus Mattheck ' s analysis that tree branches actually seek contact rather than avoid contacts.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52607
Title: Extraction and characterization of polyclonal egg yolk antibodies (IgY) in chicken against cobra (Naja naja) venom
Author: R.Rajendra Prabhu, Nalini Ramamurty and A.Mathiyalagan
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cobra venom, IgY, neutralization, polyclonal antibodies.
Abstract: Use of polyvalent antisera of equine origin has been existing as a proven treatment against snake envenomation. The need for alternative sources for antivenom production prompted this study. Polyclonal antibodies (IgY) extracted from egg yolk after inoculation of chickens with cobra venom revealed that IgY is functionally equivalent to IgG of equines in both yield and potency of venom neutralization.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52606
Title: Estimation of sediment yield and areas vulnerable to soil erosion and deposition in a Himalayan watershed using GIS
Author: Manoj K. Jain, Surendra K. Mishra and R.B.Shah
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Geographic Information System, remote sensing, sediment yield, soil erosion, transport capacity, transport limited accumulation
Abstract: Erosion is a natural geomorphic process occurring continually over the earth ' s surface adn it largely depends on topography, vegetation, soil and climatic variables and, therefore, exhibits pronounced spatial variability due to catchment heterogeneity and climatic variation. This problem can be circumvented by discretizing the catchment into approximately homogeneous sub-areas using Geographic Information System (GIS). In this study, the remote sensing and GIS techniques (through ERDAS Imagine 8.6 and ArcGIS 9.1 software) were used for derivation of spatial information, catchment discretization, data processing, etc. for the Himalayan Chaukhutia Watershed (India). Various thematic layers for different factors of Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) were generated and overlaid to compute spatially distributed gross soil erosion maps for the watershed using 18-year rainfall data. The concept of transport limited accumulation was formulated and used in ArcGIS for generating the transport capacity maps. Using these maps, the gross soil erosion was routed to the catchment outlet using hydrological drainage paths for the derivation of transport capacity limited sediment outflow maps. These maps depict the amount of sediment rate from a particular grid in spatial domain and the pixel value of the outlet grid indicates the sediment yield at the outlet of the watershed. Upon testing, the proposed method simualted the annual sediment yield with less than + 40% error.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52605
Title: Use of high-resolution IKONOS dat and GIS technique for transformation of landuse/ landcover for sustainable development
Author: P.Kunwar, T.S.Kachhwaha, Anil Kumar, A.K.Agrawal, A.N.Singh and Nisha Mendiratta
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Alternate landuse, Geographic Information System, Global Positioning System, IKONOS satellite data, remote sensing, sustainable development
Abstract: Sustainable development has assumed utmost importance in view of the increasing demands on the finite natural resources due to increasing population and need to protect fragile environment. Remote sensing and GIS techniques have capability to assess the available natural resources and its use, and provide information for transformation of alternative landuse, if the resource is not optimally utilized in the development process. In the present study, current landuse/landcover has been studied and for optimal utilization of the available resources, alterante landuse has been suggested using remote sensing and GIS techniques in Phakot sub-watershed for sustainable development. For this purpose multi-temporal IKONOS satellite data have been used. About 889.49 ha area out of 1466 ha of the entire sub-watershed has been suggested for alternative landuse which is 60.7% of the total geographical area of the watershed. The transformed landuse has been recommended in various prescriptions such as double cropping/intensive agriculture, agrohorticulture, agroforestry, horticulture, afforestation/forest plantationa, gap filling/forest protection and land mitigation by integrating available various natural resources in the study area.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52604
Title: Dynamics of plant bioresources in Western Himalayan region of India-watershed based study
Author: J.C.Rana, Archna Singh, Yogendra Sharma, K.Pradheep and Nisha Mendiratta
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Bioresources, invasive weeds, species diversity, species richness, Western Himalaya
Abstract: The dynamics of plant bioresources including agriculture is different in the hills from those in the plains. The agriculture and forestry are the two major land use types and play an important role in providing food and livelihood security. The structure of vegetation for trees and shrubs layer was moderately instable and uneven as few species such as Acacia catechu, Lantana camara, Carissa spinarium in Mandhala; Quercus leucotrichophora, Pinus roxburghii, Myrsine africana in Moolbari, and Salix denticulata, Pinus wallichiana and Picea smithiana in Megad dominated the vegetation. Species richness was high at lower altitudes and low as we go higher. The distribution of species was mainly contiguous, however, few species showed random and regular distribution. Agricultural patterns have changed from traditional and subsistence to modern, which are primarily monoculture of high-valued cash crops. This has enhanced farm incomes but at the same time led to severe genetic erosion of traditional crops and varieties. Several development factors coupled with emerging climate change like erratic rain and snowfall patterns, flash floods, depletion of top soil and groundwater, destruction of natural habitat, wildlife menace, infestation of land through invasive alien weeds, low productivity, abandonment of agricultural lands have emerged as serious threats to the dynamics of hill agro-ecosystems.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52603
Title: Integration of Bio-geo spatial database for selected watersheds in Himalayan region
Author: A.K.Gosain, Sandhya Rao, Puja Singh and Anamika Arora
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Bio-Geo database, geodatabase, need assessment, Unified Modelling Language, web interface
Abstract: An integrated database has been designed to cater to the data collected by different agencies on various aspects of biological and geophysical data, as part of the coordinated programme on ' Bio-Geo database and ecological modeling for Himalayas ' initiated by NRDMS division of the Department of Science and Technology. The spatial database conforms to the NSDI standards. In order to facilitate the unified database system, an attempt has been made to design a geodatabase for Bio-Geo data using the state-of-art design techniques. The model is specified in an industry-standard modelling notation called the Unified Modeling Language and conforms to the same. The web interface is developed to evolve a system of information sharing, access and use of the Bio-Geo data collected for different watersheds. GIS-based query system developed has user-defined query and custom report facilities. The present article reports teh detailed design and integration of Bio-Geo database. Need assessment carried out has also been discussed.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52602
Title: Watershed characterization and soil resource mapping for land use planning of Moolbari watershed, Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh in lesser Himalayas
Author: C.S. Walia, S.P.Singh, R.P.Dhankar, J.Ram, K.H.Kamble and D.K.Katiyar
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Geographic Information System, land capability, land-use plan, satellite imagery, soil characterisitcs
Abstract: Precise characterization and inventorization of soil resource of Moolbari watershed was undertaken using satellite imagery and Survey of India toposheets to generate several layers of maps such as watershed boundary, drainage, soils, land use and land cover, physiography, slope and soil erosion using Geographic Information System technique.
The watershed has been broadly divided into six physiographic units. Drainage pattern is dominantly rectangular and trellis and drainage density is 18 per sq km. About 45% of the total area is under forests. The cultivated land is estimated to be 20% of the total area and the rest is mostly under grazing and scrub land. Soil-physiography relationship was established during detailed soil resource mapping. The texture of soils is dominantly loam/silt loam to clay loam with varying proportions of gravel. The soils are rich in organic matter. They are slightly to strongly acidic in reaction. The distribution of soils in the watershed is related to physiography, land use/land cover, slope and aspect.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52601
Title: Regeneration status of tree species in forest of Phakot and Pathri Rao watersheds in Garhwal Himalaya
Author: Prerna Pokhriyal, Pooja Uniyal, D.S.Chauhan and N.P.Todaria
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Forest species, Pathri Rao, Phakot, regeneration
Abstract: This paper reports regeneration status of trees in two watersheds namely Phakot and Pathri Rao in Uttarakhand. Seedling, sapling and tree density were greater in Phakot watershed forest than those in Pathri Rao watershed forest. In general, both forests were regenerating, although seedling and sapling population was higher in Phakot watershed forest. As far as the regeneration status is concerned, maximum tree species was found with fair regeneration in the forests of both the watersheds. In Phakot watershed, three species (Acacia nilotica, Engelhardtia spicata and Olea glandulifera) and in Pathri Rao watershed seven species (Acacia nilotica, Anogeissus latifolius, Casearia elliptica, Cassia fistula, Holarrhena pubescens, Mallotus phillippensis and Ougeinia oojeinensis) were found not regenerating. In Phalot watershed, general densities -diameters class distribution showed decline in density from small diameter class to higher diameter class whereas in Pathri Rao watershed no trend was evident.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52600
Title: Evaluation of groundwater resource and estimation of its potential in Pathri Rao watershed, district Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
Author: D.C.Singhal, M.Israil, V.K.Sharma and B.Kumar
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Aquifer delineation, groundwater assessment, isotope studies, watershed resistivity imaging
Abstract: The present study attempts to delineate aquifers in the piedmont zone of Himalayan foothill region in Pathri Rao watershed, district Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India by using integrated hydrogeologic and geophysical techniques. The geophysical techniques included vertical resistivity soundings, two-dimensional resistivity image profiling and electromagnetic surveys. Nuclear isotope studies have been carried out to estimate groundwater recharge and its relative age. An assessment of groundwater availability and stage of groundwater development has also been made from the available and generated field data. On the basis of the study, it was found that the rate of recharge into the aquifers is of the order of 19% and the stage of groundwater development in the watershed is 164% indicating critical over-exploitation of groundwater. Based on the findings, possibilities of artificial recharge of groundwater have been looked into in the study area for augmentation of groundwater resources by proposing a few check dams at the suitable sites in the upstream areas of the watershed.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52599
Title: Are EIA studies sufficient for projected hydropower development in the Indian Himalayan region?
Author: Devendra Kumar Agrawal, Mahendra S Lodhi and Shradha Panwar
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Alaknanda catchment, Environmental Impact Assessment, hydropower development, Indian Himalayan region
Abstract: The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) with its major river sytems has vast potential for hydropower development. Recognizing this potential, the Government of India in its recent initiative for 50,000 MW power generation proposes to develop several hydropower projects in the IHR. Based on the understanding of the prevailing policy framework of the country for hydropower development, a case study of Alaknanda catchment located in Uttarakhand (part of the IHR) is presented. The catchment is endowed with vast hydropower potential; however, in the present study, some of the important social and environmental issues are raised that arise due to dense allocation of hydropower projects in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region. It is recognized that in the Himalayan region which is important from the conservation point of view, project-specific Environmental Impact Assessment studies are probably insufficient to tackle the environmental issues that are likely to result on account of the proposed hydropower projects.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52598
Title: Cataloguing life in India: the taxonomic imperative
Author: Kamaljit S. Bawa
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2010
Publisher: Current Science Assiciation, Vol 98, No 2, 25 January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None