Enter records

ID: 61537
Title: Environmental flow estimation under climate change.
Author: Amiya Kumar Sahoo, Bhabagrahi Sahoo.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (9) 1522-1522 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Environmental flow, estimation, Climate Change.
Abstract: Dhanya and Arun Kumar have presented a schematic of interlinking of factors influencing estimation of environmental flow (Eflow), wherein the Eflow is computed first accounting for the water quality and quantity issues and finally, the minimum flow is computed based on the current and future scenarios of water quantity and quality. This schematic reveals that minimum flow is equal is equal to the dilution factor times E-flow, and is not the same as the E-flow, which has to be prescribed to maintain the river water quality standards. However, in their study, the terminologies ' minimum flow ' and ' Eflow ' are used interchangeably. Based on our past experience, particularly with the estimation of Eflows for some of the hydropower projects in India, it is argued that there is a significant difference between these two terminologies.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Dhanya, C.T. and Arun Kumar, Curr.Sci. 2015, 109 (6), 1019-1020. Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Assessment of environmental flows for Etalin hydro-electric project in the river Dri and Tangon, Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh, Barrackpore (West Bengal), Report, Kolkata, 2015, p.93.
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61536
Title: Biobeds: on-farm biopurification for environmental protection.
Author: Shaon Kumar Das, R.K.Avasthe, Matber Singh, Kalpana Sharma.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (9) 1521-1521 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biobeds, biopurification, environmental, protection.
Abstract: Biobeds, also called biofilters, are facilities intended to retain and degrade as well as facilitate microbial breakdown of on-farm pesticides. Point sources of pollution, especially when filling spraying equipment for pesticides in farmer ' s field can be minimized using biobeds. A major point source of contamination is spills during filling and cleaning of spraying equipment. These activities often are performed at particular on-farm sites due to the convenience of water supply. Spraying equipment is normally filled in the same place on the farm every time, often in the farmyard near water sources. Due to these activities, high concentrations of pesticide residues have been found at on-farm sites. A low-cost system known as the biobeds can minimize the risks of such pollution.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Castillo, M.D.P., Lennart, T. and John, S., J.Agric.Food Chem., 2008, 56, 6206-6219. Fogg, P., Boxall, A.B.A., Walker, A.and Jukes, A.A., Pestic.Manage.Sci. 2003, 59, 527-537.
Literature cited 2: Monaci, E., Coppola, L.Cardinali, A.and Vischetti, C., In 2nd European Biobed Workshop, Ghent, Belgium, 2007, p.10. Vischetti, C., Capri, E., Trevisan, M., Casucci, C.and Perucci, P., Chemosphere, 2004, 55, 823-828.

ID: 61535
Title: Million Solar Urja Lamp Programme at IIT Bombay (An Initiative Towards ' Right to Light ' ).
Author: Prof. Chetan S Solanki, Prof. N C Narayanan and Prof.Jayendran Venkateswaran.
Editor: Dr. Arun K. Tripathi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Akshay Urja (Renewable energy) Vol. 9 (2). 36-40 (2015)
Subject: Renewable Energy
Keywords: Million, Solar Urja Lamp, Programme, IIT Bombay, Initiative, Towards, ' Right to Light ' .
Abstract: With 356 million, 10-24 year olds, India has the largest young population in the world, according to a report issued by the United Nations. Education is thus essential for the future of the country. However, according to the Census of India, 2011, 7.8 crore families in the country use kerosene as a primary source of lighting. Many school-going students who study during evening hours are affected by either lack of access to alternate source of lighting or by erratic electricity supply. Alongside Right to Education, therefore, it is desirable to provide the ' Right to Light ' as well.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61534
Title: Solar-Biomass Dryer (As a Hybrid System for Agro-Industrial Applications)
Author: Dr M Shyam, J P Makwana and Samir Vahora.
Editor: Dr. Arun K. Tripathi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Akshay Urja (Renewable energy) Vol. 9 (2). 30-33 (2015)
Subject: Renewable Energy
Keywords: Solar-Biomass, Dryer, Hybrid, System, Agro-Industrial Applications.
Abstract: India is blessed with abundant solar energy. Solar drying systems are now being used for agro-industrial applications. SPRERI forced-flow cabinet-type solar dryer has been in regular operation in an industry named M/s Jayveer Food Industry located at Chanashma in district Patan, Gujarat, since 2010.The solar drying system comprises flat plate solar collectors connecting air ducts and a blower for supply of hot air to three drying cabinets. A batch of fresh produce (approximate Moisture Content is 90 per cent) loaded in to the dryer in the morning got dried only partially by the end of the first solar day, and the drying operation, in general, continued for the second day to achieve the desired result from the product. The quality of the product, which was left overnight in drying cabinet under ambient conditions, was affected due to microbial growth. Besides, moisture condensation also takes place in the drying cabinet. The industry was also interested in enhancing the output by extending the drying cabinet. The industry was also interested in enhancing the output by extending the drying operation beyond solar hours. A SPRERI biomass combustor-cum-air heater was successfully retrofitted with the solar drying system for completing batch drying operation by the same day. The-solar-biomass drying system is in operation in the industry for more than a year now.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61533
Title: Enriched Biogas Slurry (A potential Source of Nutrients for Organic Farming).
Author: Dr. S Hazarika, Er M J Barooah, Dr P K Dutta and PRajkhowa
Editor: Dr. Arun K. Tripathi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Akshay Urja (Renewable energy) Vol. 9 (2). 26-29 (2015)
Subject: Renewable Energy
Keywords: Enriched Biogas, Slurry, Potential, Source, Nutrients, Organic, Farming.
Abstract: The slurry emanating from the biogas plant is referred to as biogas plant spent slurry (BSS).It is rich in nitrogen(N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and several micronutrients. The content of these plant nutrients varies, depending on the type and nature of feedstocks used for production of biogas. The digested slurry discharged from the conventional biogas plants normally contains 92-94 per cent moisture where as in the case of solid state biogas plants; the moisture content varies between 88-90 per cent. BSS is one of the potential sources of nutrients for organic farming but it is practically difficult to supply the entire nutrient demand of crops with BSS because of its bulky nature. To reduce bulkiness, enrichment of BSS with nutrients using organic (e.g., biofertilizers) and mineral sources (e.g., rock phosphate) is an attractive option for its use in organic farming practices.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61532
Title: Production of Biological Hydrogen in India (Potential Source for the Future.)
Author: Prof.Y K Yadav, Dr Sachin Kumar and Raman Rao
Editor: Dr. Arun K. Tripathi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Akshay Urja (Renewable energy) Vol. 9 (2). 16-20 (2015)
Subject: Renewable Energy
Keywords: Production, Biological Hydrogen, India, Potential Source Future.
Abstract: Ample use of fossil fuels all over the country in transportation and power/heat generation is creating not only the environmental problems but also the economic imbalance due to their uneven distribution. Therefore, researchers around the country are focusing on finding alternate energy resources that are environment-friendly are renewable in nature .Hydrogen is one such attractive energy source that has the highest energy yield (142 kJ/g) among any known fuel. It can be easily transported through conventional means and has been accepted globally as environmentally safe energy resource due to carbon neutral combustion.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61531
Title: Geospatial characterization of deforestation, fragmentation and forest fires in Telangana state, India: conservation perspective.
Author: C.Sudhakar Reddy, S. Vazeed Pasha, C.S. Jha, V.K.Dadhwal
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 1-14 (2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Remote sensing, Deforestation, Fragmentation, Fire, Endangered, Conservation, Telangana, India.
Abstract: Conservation of biodiversity has been put to the highest priority throughout the world. The process of identifying threatened ecosystems will search for different drivers related to biodiversity loss. The present study aimed to generate spatial information on deforestation and ecological degradation indicators of fragmentation and forest fires using systematic conceptual approach in Telangana state, India. Identification of ecosystems facing increasing vulnerability can help to safeguard the extinctions of species and useful for conservation planning. The technological advancement of satellite remote sensing and Geographical Information System has increased greatly in assessment and monitoring of ecosystem-level changes. The areas of threat were identified by creating grid cells (5 x 5 km) in Geographical Information System (GIS).Deforestation was assessed using multi-source data of 1930, 1960, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2013.The forest cover of 40, 746 km2, 29, 299 km2, 18,652 km2, 18, 368 km2, 18, 006 km2, 17, 556 km2 and 17, 520 km2 was estimated during 1930, 1960, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2013, respectively. Historical evaluation of deforestation revealed that major changes had occurred in forests of Telangana and identified 1095 extinct, 397 critically endangered, 523 endangered and 311 vulnerable ecosystem grid cells. The fragmentation analysis has identified 307 ecosystem grid cells under critically endangered status. Forest burnt area information was extracted using AWiFS data of 2005 to 2014.Spatial analysis indicates total fire-affected forest in Telangana as 58.9 % in a decadal period. Conservation status has been recorded depending upon values of threat for each grid, which forms the basis for conservation priority hotspots. Of existing forest, 2.1 % grids had severe ecosystem collapse and had been included under the category of conservation priority hotspot-I, followed by 27.2 % in conservation hotspot-II and 51.5 % in conservation priority hotspot-III. This analysis complements assessment of ecosystems undergoing multiple threats. An integrated approach involving the deforestation and degradation indicators is useful in formulating the strategies to take appropriate conservation measures.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: : http://censusindia.gov.in/. Chavez, P.S. (1996).Image-based atmospheric corrections-revisited and improved. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 62, 1025-1036.
Literature cited 2: Costanza, R., et al. (1997). The value of the world ' s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature, 387, 253-260. FAO (2011).Assessing forest degradation-towards the development of globally applicable guidelines. Forest Resources Assessment Working Paper, 177.Rome.

ID: 61530
Title: Satellite image based quantification of invasion and patch dynamics of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) in Great Rann of Kachchh, Kachchh Biosphere Reserve, Gujarat, India.
Author: S Vazeed Pasha, K V Satish, C Sudhakar Reddy, P V V Prasada Rao and C S Jha.
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 1481-1490 (2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Prosopis juliflora; mesquite; patch; coalescence; Kachchh; India
Abstract: The invasion of alien species is a significant threat to global biodiversity and the top driver of climate change. The present study was conducted in the Great Rann of Kachchh, part of Kachchh Biosphere Reserve, Gujarat, India, which has been severely affected by invasion of Prosopis juiflora.The invasive weed infestation has been identified using multi-temporal remote sensing datasets of 1977, 1990, 1999, 2005 and 2011.Spatial analyses of the transition matrix, extent of invasive colonies, patchiness, coalescence and rate of spread were carried out. During the study period of three and half decades, almost 295 km2 of the natural land cover was converted into Prosopis cover. This study has shown an increment of 42.9 % of area under Prosopis cover in the Great Rann of Kachchh, part of the Kachchh Biosphere Reserve during 1977 to 2011.Spatial analysis indicates high occupancy of Prosopis cover with most of the invasion (95.9 %) occurring in the grasslands and only 4.1 % in other land cover types. The process of Prosopis invasion shows high patch initiation, followed by coalescence, indicating aggressive colonization of species. The number of patches within an area of <1 km2 increased from 1977 to 2011, indicating the formation of new Prosopis habitats by replacing the grasslands. The largest patch of Prosopis cover increased from 144 km2 in 1977 to 430 km2 in 2011.The estimated mean patch size was .8 km2 in 1977.The mean patch size was largest during 2011, i.e., 9 km2.The annual spread rate for Prosopis has been estimated as 2.1 % during 2005-2011.The present work has investigated the long term changes in Prosopis cover in the Great Rann of Kachchh, part of Kachchh Biosphere Reserve. The spatial database generated will be useful in preparing strategies for the management of Prosopis juliflora.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Anderson G L, Everitt J H, Richardson A J and Escobar D E 1993 Using satellite data to map false broom wed (Ericamera austrotexana) infestations on south Texas rangelands; Weed Technology 7 865-871. Anonymous 2005 Kachchh Biosphere Reserve; State Forest Department, Gujarat, India.
Literature cited 2: Berg E CV, Kotze I and Beukes H 2013 Detection, quantification and monitoring of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa using remote sensing and GIS; South African J.Geomatics 2 (2) 68-81. Bhatt G D, Kushwaha SPS, Nandy S and Bargali K 2013 Vegetation types and land uses mapping in south Gujarat using remote sensing and geographic information system; Int.J.Adv.Remote Sens., GIS and Geography 1 (1) 20-31.

ID: 61529
Title: Geospatial monitoring and prioritization of forest fire incidences in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Author: G.Manaswini, C.Sudhakar Reddy.
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 1-12 (2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Forest fire, Protected area, Conservation, Remote sensing, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Abstract: Forest fire has been identified as one of the key environmental issue for long-term conservation of biodiversity and has impact on global climate. Spatially multiple observations are necessary for monitoring of forest fires in tropics for understanding conservation efficacy and sustaining biodiversity in protected areas. The present work was carried out to estimate the spatial extent of forest burnt areas and fire frequency using Resourcesat Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) data (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014) in Andhra Pradesh, India. The spatio-temporal analysis shows that an area of 7514.10 km2 (29.22% of total forest cover) has been affected by forest fires. Six major forest types are distributed in Andhra Pradesh, i.e. Semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, dry evergreen, thorn and mangroves. Of the total forest burnt area, dry deciduous forest account for >75 %.District-wise analysis shows that Kurnool, Prakasam and Cuddapah have shown >100 km2 of burnt area every year. The total forest burnt area estimate covering protected areas ranges between 6.9 and 22.3 % during the study period. Spatial burnt area analysis for protected areas in 2014 indicates 37.2 % of fire incidences in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve followed by 20.2 % in the SriLankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, 20.1 % in the SriVenkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary and 17.4 % in the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary. The analysis of cumulative fire occurrences from 2009 to 2014 has helped in delineation of conservation priority hotspots using a spatial grid cell approach. Conservation priority hotspots I and II are distributed in major parts of study area including protected areas of the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary. The spatial data-base generated will be useful in studies related to influence of fires on species adaptability, ecological damage assessment and conservation planning.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Badarinath, K.V.S., & Prasad, K.V. (2011).Carbon dioxide emissions from forest biomass burning in India. Global Environmental Research, 15, 45-52. Chand, K.T.R, Badrinath, K.V.S., Prasad, K.V., Murthy, M.S.R., Elvidge, C.D., & Tuttle, B.T. (2006).Monitoring forest fires over the Indian region using DMSP-OLS night time satellite data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 103, 165-178.
Literature cited 2: Chander, G. ,Coan, M.J., & Scaramuzza, P.L. (2008).Evaluation and comparison of the IRS-P6 and the Landsat sensors.Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on,46 (1), 209-221. Chavez, P.S. (1996).Image-based atmospheric corrections-revisited and improved. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 62, 1025-1036.

ID: 61528
Title: Analysing the gross and net deforestation rates in India.
Author: C.Sudhakar Reddy, Kalloli Dutta and C.S.Jha.
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 1492-1499 (2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Deforestation, forest cover, gross and net rate, national and regional scale.
Abstract: Monitoring of forests has gained vital recognition in the international scenario due to realization of its role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity and global warming. Through advancement of remote sensing and GIS technology it is possible to monitor and analyse gross and net changes in forest ecosystems .This article analyses the deforestation rates and drivers of deforestation in India and summarizes the Government initiatives for conservation of forests based on the published literature. It also reviews gross and net rate of deforestation from the national level to locale scale. At the national level, Forest Survey of India has been carrying out mapping of forest cover on a biennial basis. The current estimate of gross deforestation in India is quite low (-0.43 %) for 2009-2011 compared to the global average of -0.6 %. Even though considerable progress has been made in the protection of forests, gross deforestation rate continues as a focal hindrance. The deforestation studies carried out in various parts of India are found to be fragmentary and far from being comprehensive .From the regional analysis carried out, it can be seen that the overall net rate of deforestation was relatively high in the North East region (-0.90to -5.29) and Deccan Peninsula (-0.19 to-3.2) followed by the Western Ghats. For precise estimation of gross and net deforestation, consistency in definitions, uniform methodology and new techniques for quantifying forest cover have been realized.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: SCBD, Biodiversity issues for consideration in the planning, establishment and management of protected area sites and networks. The secretariat, Montreal, CBD Series No 15, 2004, pp.164. Forest Survey of India, India State of Forest Report. Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India (GoI), 2009.
Literature cited 2: FAO, State of World ' s forests, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome, 2012. FFSR, Manual for Forest Inventory in Russian Forest Fund. Part 1.Organization of Forest Inventory. Field Works, Federal Forest Service of Russia, Moscow, 1995, p.174.

ID: 61527
Title: Decadal time-scale monitoring of forest fires in Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India using remote sensing and GIS.
Author: K.R.L.Saranya, C.Sudhakar Reddy, P.V.V.Prasada Rao, C.S.Jha
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 3283-3296 (2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Forest fire, Conservation, Remote sensing, Similipal, Eastern Ghats, India.
Abstract: Analyzing the spatial extent and distribution of forest fires is essential for sustainable forest resource management. There is no comprehensive data existing on forest fires on a regular basis in Biosphere Reserves of India. The present work have been carried out to locate and estimate the spatial extent of forest burnt areas using Resourcesat-1 data and fire frequency covering decadal fire events (2004-2013) in Similipal Biosphere Reserve. The anomalous quantity of forest burnt area was recorded during 2009 as 1,014.7 km2.There was inconsistency in the fire susceptibility across the different vegetation types. The spatial analysis of burnt area shows that an area of 34.2 % of dry deciduous forests, followed by tree savannah, shrub savannah, and grasslands affected by fires in 2013.The analysis based on decadal time scale satellite data reveals that an area of 2, 175.9 km2 (59.6 % of total vegetation cover) has been affected by varied rate of frequency of forest fires. Fire density pattern indicates low count of burnt area patches in 2013 estimated at 1, 017 and high count at 1, 916 in 2004. An estimate of fire risk area over a decade identifies 12.2 km2 is experiencing an annual fire damage. Summing the fore frequency data across the grids (each 1 km2) indicates 1,211 (26%) grids are having very high disturbance regimes due to repeated fires in all the 10 years, followed by 711 grids in 9 years and 418 in 8 years and 382 in 7 years. The spatial database offers excellent opportunities to understand the ecological impact of fires on biodiversity and is helpful in formulating conservation action plans.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Bahali, D.D., Agrawala, D.K., & Chowdhery, H.J. (1998). Similipal tiger reserve. In P.K. Hajra, M.Gangopadhyay, & T.Chakraborty (Eds), Plant diversity in tiger reserves of India (pp.418-439).Kolkata: Botanical Survey of India. Brandis, D. (1882).The forests of South India. Indian Forester, 7, 363-369.
Literature cited 2: Bucini, G., & Lambin, E.F. (2002).Fire impacts on vegetation in Central Africa: a remote-sensing-based statistical analysis. Applied Geography, 22, 27-48. Champion, H.G., & Seth, S.K. (1968). A revised survey of forest types of India. New Delhi: Manager Publications, Government of India.

ID: 61526
Title: National assessment of forest fragmentation in India: Landscape indices as measures of the effects of fragmentation and forest cover change.
Author: C.Sudhakar Reddy, S.Sreelekshmi, C.S.Jha, V.K.Dadhwal.
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 453-464 (2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: India, Remote sensing, Fragmentation, Deforestation, Landscape indices, Biogeographic zone.
Abstract: Forest fragmentation is considered as one of the major conservation issue. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the national assessment of spatial patterns of forest fragmentation and influence of deforestation on fragmentation in the Indian forests during three decade interval (1975-2005).Mapping of forest cover was carried based on Landsat MSS and IRS P6 AWiFS data using hybrid classification techniques on 1:250, 000 scale. The present study considered biogeographic zones as a major stratum formation level assessment. The forest fragmentation was analysed based on landscape indices which allow quantification and categorization of complex forest landscapes and depict landscape composition, structure and scenario of fragmentation. The analysis revealed that in all biogeographic zones, more than 90% of total number of forest fragments consists of patches having area less than 1 km2.At national level the mean forest patch size stands at 187 ha. The total core area was highest for islands (87.4 %) followed by Eastern Himalayas (82.5 %), Deccan (78.9 %), Deserts (76.4 %) and Eastern Ghats (76 %). The temporal analysis shows that the loss of Indian forest areas as 5.8 % during 1975-2005.The annual rate of deforestation has been computed as 0.20 % at national level. The decreased mean patch size, increased edge density and increased number of patches from1975 to 2005 indicates ongoing fragmentation in biogeographic zones. The very high fragmentation in Trans Himalayas is contributed mostly by the natural factors while in other biogeographic zones; increased fragmentation is due to deforestation.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Bierregaard, R.O., Lovejoy, T.E., Kapos, V., Dos Santos, A.A, Hutchings, R.W., 1992.The biological dynamics of tropical rain forest fragments. Bioscience 42,859-866. Broadbent, N.E., Gregory, P., Asner Keller, M., 2008.Forest fragmentation and edge effects from deforestation and selective logging in the Brazilian Amazon.Biol.Conserv.132, 145-157.
Literature cited 2: Bustamante, R., Serey, I., Pickett, S.T., 2003. Forest fragmentation plant regeneration and invasion processes in Central Chile. In: Bradshaw, G., Marquet, P. (Eds), How Landscapes Change: Human Disturbance and Ecosystem Fragmentation in the Americas. Springer, Berlin, pp.145-160. Chakraborty, K., 2009.Vegetation change detection in Barak Basin.Curr.Sci.96, 1236-1242.

ID: 61525
Title: Threat evaluation for biodiversity conservation of forest ecosystems using geospatial techniques: A case study of Odisha, India.
Author: C.Sudhakar Reddy, Anzar A.Khuroo, P.Hari Krishna, K.R.L.Saranya, C.S.Jha, V.K.Dadhwal.
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 287-303(2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Biodiversity, Threat, Forest ecosystem, Conservation, Geospatial.
Abstract: Up-scaling the evaluation of threat status of biodiversity from species to ecosystem level has remained for long a research challenge in global conservation science. To meet this challenge, the present study makes an attempt toward actionable conservation prescription and assigning a threat category scheme for forest ecosystems. The scheme sets the quantitative criteria for evaluation of cumulative anthropogenic threats in grid cells, such as deforestation, degradation, fragmentation, forest fires and biological invasions. Adopting the convention of IUCN, five conservation status categories (i.e. Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near threatened, Least Concern) have been similarly adopted for the forest ecosystems facing these threats. The operational success of this scheme of threat categories at ecosystem level has been strengthened by remote sensing and field data generated for the forest ecosystem level has been strengthened by remote sensing and field data generated for the forest ecosystems of Odisha, India. The threat category status of the forest ecosystems were identified by creating grids (5 km x 5 km) in GIS and assigned the degree of the threats for each grid. The database on deforestation was generated using topographical maps of 1935 and remote sensing data of 1975 and 2010.The degradation in forest ecosystems have been assessed based on the change in forest canopy closure, fragmentation pattern, forest fire distribution and impact of biological invasions. The analysis for conservation priority hotspots complements an assessment of the threatened ecosystems undergoing remarkable level of multiple threats. Areas under the danger of cumulative anthropogenic threats would have a higher priority.5.8 % grids of existing forest had included under the category of conservation priority hotspot-I, followed by 12.4 % in conservation priority hotspot-II, and 12.5 % in conservation priority hotspot-III. An integrated approach involving the cumulative anthropogenic threat indicators have been found to be the most appropriate tool to empirically evaluate the threat status of forest ecosystems. Finally, identification of ecosystems especially those facing increasing extinction risks, as attempted in the presented study, can help in devising an appropriate policy and management agenda for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Adhikari, D., Barik, S.K.,Upadhayay, K., 2012.Habitat distribution modeling for reintroduction of Ilex khasiana Purk, a critically endangered tree species of northeastern India.Ecol.Eng.40, 37-43. Cardinale, B.J., Duffy, J.E., Gonzalea, A., Hooper, D.U., Perrings, C., et al., 2012.Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity. Nature 486, 59-67.
Literature cited 2: CBD, 1992.Conservation on Biological Diversity. Montreal. CBD, 2011.http://www.cbd.int/climate/intro.shtml.

ID: 61524
Title: Multi-source and multi-date mapping of deforestation in Central India (1935-2010) and its implication on standing phytomass carbon pool.
Author: C.Sudhakar Reddy, G.Rajashekar, P.Hari Krishna, C.S. Jha, V.K.Dadhwal.
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 219-227(2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Deforestation, Phytomass, Carbon pool, Geospatial, Central India.
Abstract: Information on the historical distribution of Indian forest cover change and carbon stocks is scarce and far from comprehensive. Geospatial methods were used to study changes in forest cover and above ground carbon stocks over seven decades in Central India, which covers over a tenth of India (13.5 %) and accounts for almost a fifth of its forest cover (19.27%).Changes in the above ground phytomass carbon pool were computed. There is a significant contribution of deforestation to the reduction in the C pool. The overall loss of forest cover was 2.5 Mha (16%), while the reduction in carbon stock was 343.5 Tg C (42 %) since 1935.The overall rate of deforestation in Central India (0.23 from 1935 to2010), has been on decline in recent years. In order to increase the amount of carbon accumulation, open forests which are occupying about 45.8 % of forest area must be considered for improvement of carbon stocks. The above results indicate that the forests of central India could act as important carbon sinks in India.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Brown S., Gillespie, A.J.R., Lugo, A.E. 1989. Phytomass estimation methods for tropical forests with applications to forest inventorydata.For.Sci.35, 881-902. Champion, H.G., Seth, S.K., 1968.A revised Survey of Forest Types of India. Manager Publications, Government of India, New Delhi.
Literature cited 2: Chavez, P.S., 1996.Image-based atmospheric corrections-revisited and improved.Photogramm.Eng.Remote Sens.62, 1025-1036. Chhabra, A., Dadhwal, V.K., 2004.Assessment of major pools and fluxes of carbon in Indian forests.Clim.Change 64, 341-360.

ID: 61523
Title: Nationwide classification of forest types of India using remote sensing and GIS.
Author: C.Sudhakar Reddy, C.S. Jha, P.G. Diwakar, V.K. Dadhwal.
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Biodiversity and Conservation
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India over Eight Decades (1930-2013) 1-30(2015)
Subject: Quantification and Monitoring of Deforestation in India Over Eight Decades
Keywords: Vegetation, Land cover, Forest type, Mapping, Classification, Remote sensing, India.
Abstract: Vegetation classification is prerequisite for understanding carbon stocks, biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources and global change. The vegetation types reflect all the structural and functional attributes of vegetation in relation to the regional and local climate and thus necessitates incorporation of large number of inputs that are too spatially explicit. Although the biological systems are organized hierarchically from the molecular to the ecosystems make the classification of vegetation more complex. The first global classification system of ecological types predictable from climate was the system of life zones (Holdridge 1947). Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg (1974) developed the conceptual basis for classification that simplifies the complexity of vegetation. They proposed physiognomy as the key decisive characteristic for recognition of a vegetation type, i.e. the dominance of certain growth forms such as trees, shrubs and grasses. Subsequently, Westhoff and van der Maarel (1978) suggested for the integration of floristic composition with physiognomy and environmental characteristics in the classification of vegetation types. In fact, the vegetation is a sensible concept only at a certain scale of observation, i.e. the scale at which it is possible to judge the relative uniformity and distinctness. Accordingly, this spatial scale will vary with the structure of the vegetation from some m2 to several thousand m2 (van der Maarel 2005).
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: Anderson, J.R., Hardy, E.E., Roach, J.T., & Witmer, R.E. (1976). A land use and land cover classification system for use with remote sensor data.U.S.Geological Survey Professional Paper 964, USGS, USA.http://landcover.usgs.gov/pdf/Anderson.pdf. Banger, K., Tian, H.Q., & Tao, B. (2013).Contemporary land cover and land use patterns estimated by different regional and global datasets in India. Journal of Land Use Science.doi:10.1080/1747423X.2013.858786.
Literature cited 2: Bartholome, E., & Belward, A.S. (2005).GLC2000: a new approach to global land cover mapping from Earth observation data. International Journal of Remote Sensing. 26 (9), 1959-1977. Bontemps, S., Defourny, P., Bogaert, E.V., Arino, O., Kalogirou, V. & Perez, J.R. (2011).GLOBCOVER 2009: Products Description and Validation Report (ESA and UCLouvain). http://ionia 1 esrin.esa.int/docs/GLOBCOVER2009 (accessed on 14th November 2013).