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ID: 60810
Title: Genesis of Early Cambrian phosphorite of Krol Belt, Lesser Himalaya.
Author: A. Mazumdar and D.M. Banerjee.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1247-1252 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cambrian, Krol Belt, phosphorite, preterozoic, Tal Formation.
Abstract: Early Cambrian phosphogenesis in the lesser Himalaya is represented by a well-developed sequence of phosphorite, black shale and black chert with interbedded phosphatic dolomite in the Krol Belt. Prevalence of shallow marine depositional structures support shallow subtidal to intertidal depositional environment. Similar shallow marine character for Late Vendian and Early Cambrian phosphorites have been recorded from Yangtze Basin (South China), Khubshugal Basin (Mongolia) Karatau Basin (Kazakhstan), Soltaniah Basin (Iran), Tal Basin (Lesser Himalaya, India), Hazara Basin (Pakistan) and Georgia Basin (Australia). We have characterized the Tal Phosphorites of Krol Belt, Lesser Himalaya in terms of mineralogy and petrography. The phosphogenic model for the modern Peru-Chile shelf-slope phosphorite is inadequate to explain the genesis of Cambrian phosphorites demand a shallow marine phosphorus source. Based on the available early Cambrian oceanographic models, we envisage a repeated influx of P and 12C rich water on to the shallow platform. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) precipitated from the shallow water column overlying the sediment water interface and subsequently modified to microsphorite (micritic phosphorite).Influx of P resulted in proliferation of algal mat and stromatolites, which are found in abundance in Tal phosphorites. The algal and mudstone phosphorites were the parent material for granular phosphorites.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Cook, P.J. and Shergold, J.H., Phosphorus, phosphorite and skeletal evolution at the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary. Nature, 1984, 308, 231-236. Cook P.J. and Shergold, J.H. (eds), Phosphate Deposits of the World. Vol. 1. Proterozoic and Cambrian Phosphorites, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1986, p. 386.
Literature cited 2: Cook, P.J., Phosphogenesis around the Proterozoic-Cambrian transition.J.Geol.Soc.London, 1992, 149, 615-620. Baturin, G.N., Phosphorite on the Sea-floor, Origin, Distribution and composition: Developments in Sedimentology, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1982, p. 340.

ID: 60809
Title: Global sustainable phosphorus management: a transdisciplinary venture
Author: Roland W. Scholz, Debbie T. Hellums and Amit A. Roy
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1237-1246 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Environmental quality, food security, Global TraPs project, policy options, sustainable P management.
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is a key human, animal and plant nutrient and an important ingredient of many non-agricultural products. However, phosphorus is also a critical pollutant and is unequally used and distributed in the world. The Global Transdisciplinary Phosphorus Management (Global TraPs; 2010-2015) project organizes a multi-stakeholder discourse involving key factors at all stages of the supply-demand chain with differing viewpoints, knowledge and concerns to guide and optimize future P use. Focusing on the sustainability of future phosphorus use, Global TraPs will bring together ' practice ' (producers, traders, users of phosphorus, sewage-plant operators, recycling companies, public agencies, NGOs etc.) along with those facilitating their efforts (such as policy makers and development organizations) and ' science ' (researchers from various disciplines with an interest in phosphorus) to work towards a common aim, expressed in the guiding question of the project: What new knowledge, technologies and policy options are needed to ensure that future phosphorus use is sustainable, improves food security and environmental quality, and provides benefits for the poor?
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Thomson Klein, J., Grossenbacher-Mansuy, W., Haaberli, R., Bill, A., Scholz, R. W. and Welti, M. (eds), Transdisciplinarity: Joint Problem Solving Among Science, Technology, and Society. An Effective Way for Managing Complexity, Birkhauser, Basel, 2001. Binder, H.H., Lexikon der chemischen Elemente: Das Perioden-system in Fakten, Zahlen und Daten, Stuttgart, Hirzel, 1999.
Literature cited 2: Diaz, R.J. and Rosenberg, R.Spreading dead zones and consequences for marine ecosystems. Science, 2008, 321, 926-929. Van der Molen, D.T., Pot, R., Evers, C.H.M. and van Nieuwer-burgh, L.L.J. (eds), Referenties en Maatlatten voor natuurlijke Watetypen voor de Kaderrichtlijn Water 2015-2021, Amersford, 2012.

ID: 60808
Title: Preface (Sustainable phosphorus management: The Indian scenario in a global context)
Author: Yash P. Abrol, Nandula Raghuram, Tapan Adhya.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1235-1236 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Sustainable, phosphorus, management, Indian scenario, global, context.
Abstract: This issue presents a special section on sustainable phosphorus management which impacts India ' s agriculture, fisheries and animal production systems along with P-flux to major Indian rivers and air-sea deposition to a portion of the Indian Ocean. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient, an irreplaceable element and a building block of all life forms. It controls net primary productivity and species composition in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60807
Title: Interconnection between physical environment and pedagogical process in elementary schools in Nis, Serbia.
Author: Milan Tanic, Vojislav Nikolic, Danica Stankovic, Slavisa Kondic, Milica Zivkovic, Petar Mitkovic and Aleksander Kekovic.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1228-1234 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Elementary school, pedagogical process, physical environment, spatial characteristics.
Abstract: The connection between the pedagogical process and certain spatial characteristics of elementary schools, as a designed and constructed physical environment is studied. By observing the school premises as a complex dynamic field, the starting hypothesis is that the appropriate physical environment model is derived based on the needs and activities of school children and teachers in the pedagogical process .The physical environment factors that may affect the quality of modern pedagogical process are defined by systematizing specificities of analysed categories, logic factorization and conducted questionnaire and by mapping key attitudes on the existing space of elementary schools. The factors are: the functional organization of elementary school space, its structure, size, extensibility, mobility, flexibility and (dis) continuity. Implementation of these factors in the design of elementary schools aims to create a physical environment that offers a range of transitional forms of the realization of different activities in the pedagogical process.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Moore, G.T., Effects of the spatial definition of behavior settings on children ' s behavior: a quasi-experimental field study .J. Environ. Psychol., 1986, 6, 205-231. Moore, G.T., The physical environment and cognitive development in child-care centers. In Spaces for Children: The Built Environment and Child Development (eds Weinstein, C.S. and David, T.G.)., Plenum Press, New York, 1987, pp. 41-72.
Literature cited 2: Weinstein, C.S., Designing preschool classrooms to support development: research and reflection. In Spaces for Children: The Built Environment and Child Development (eds Weinstein, C.S. and David, T.G.), Plenum Press, New York, 1987, pp. 159-185. Wohlwill, J.F. and Heft, H., The physical environment and the development of the child. Handbook Environ. Psychol., 1987, 1, 281-328.

ID: 60806
Title: Inter-aquifer water transfer through combination well for artificial recharging of the deeper aquifer system in Patna urban area.
Author: S.N.Dwivedi, Raj K. Singh.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1228-1234 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Inter-aquifer, water, transfer, combination, artificial, recharging, deeper, aquifer, system, Patna, Urban area.
Abstract: Patna, with a population of nearly 20 lakhs, is unique amongst the cities of India as its entire water supply is dependent on ground water sources. The population of the city has increased from 6.02 lakh in 1971 to 17.2 lakhs in 2011. A network of 96 high discharge deep tube wells operated by Patna Jal Board, tapping the deeper aquifer constitutes the backbone of water supply in the urban area. Besides, thousands of households, apartments and housing societies and commercial establishments have their private tube wells tapping the deeper aquifer system for their water requirement.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Census data, Census of India 2011, Government of India. Saha, D., Dwivedi, S.N. and Singh, R.K., Environ. Earth Sci., 2014, 71, 1721-1735.
Literature cited 2: Dwivedi, S.N., Singh, R.K. and Saha, D., Patna urban, Bihar in ground water scenario in major cities of India, CGWB, MoWR, Govt of India, 2011, pp. 157-163. Bose, P.K., Saikia, B.C. and Mukherjee, B.B., Refraction seismic survey for ground water in Patna and Gaya districts Bihar, unpublished report, GSI, Calcutta, 1966.

ID: 60805
Title: Preparation of polysilicon from rice-husk.
Author: D.N.Bose, A.R. Haldar, T.K.Chaudhuri
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1214-1216 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Preparation, polysilicon, rice-husk.
Abstract: The importance of crystalline silicon which is used worldwide for 90 % of photovoltaic systems was presented recently. The conventional Siemens process to produce polysilicon involves carbo-thermic reduction of SiO2 (T>2000? C) followed by chlorination, fractional distillation and pyrolysis of trichlorosilane SiHCl3 (TCS). As this process is energy-intensive, efforts have been made to develop alternative lower energy processes. Growth of single crystals from polysilicon by the Czochralski (CZ) technique is also slow and energy intensive.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Bose, D.N., Curr.Sci, 2014, 107 (1), 20. Basu, P.K., Judson, K.C.and Lynn, S., Am.Inst.Chem.Eng, 1973, 19, 43a.
Literature cited 2: Amick, J.A., J. Electrochem.Soc., 1982, 83, 864. Hunt, L.P., Proceedings of 11th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, IEEE Press, 1975, p.259.

ID: 60804
Title: Antimicrobial nanotechnologies: what are the current possibilities?
Author: Brahma N.Singh, Prateeksha, Ch. V .Rao, A.K.S.Rawat, Dalip K. Upreti and Braj R. Singh.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1210-1213 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Antimicrobial, nanotechnologies, current, possibilities.
Abstract: The current challenges of multi-drug resistance development in human pathogenic microorganisms are engaging researchers in exploring the field of nanotechnology-derived approaches and products as new tools of key developments for manufacturing effective antimicrobials. But, the real contributions are still uncertain. Although there are several budding leads of nanotechnology and the growing trends in publications and patents, therapeutic microbiological applications have not yet made it to the market. Numerous reasons could explain the scarcity of commercial applications. These include high initial production investments, new nanotechnology regulation in the developed and developing countries, and public perception. The rapid progress of nanotechnology in other key areas may over time be transferred to therapeutic microbiological applications as well, and accelerate their development.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Zhu, X., Radovic-Moreno, A.F., Wu, J., Langer, R. and Shi, J., Nano Today, 2014, 9, 478-498. Aruguete, DM. et al. Environ.Sci. Process. Impacts, 2013, 15, 93-102.
Literature cited 2: Hadinoto, K. and Cheow, W.S., Colloids Surf. B, 2014, 116, 772-785. Huh, A.J. and Kwon, Y.J. Control Release, 2011, 156, 128-145.

ID: 60803
Title: Needs for policy landscape restoration in India.
Author: Ramalingam Ravi and Dharma Rajan Priyadarsanam
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1208-1209 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Needs, Policy, landscape, restoration, India.
Abstract: In India, population growth and rapid industrialization concurrent with an ever-increasing quest for better quality of life have resulted in a growing demand for energy and infrastructure, leading to significant impact on the country ' s environment and ecology. Resources such as natural forests are particularly exploited through agricultural expansion, timber extraction, monoculture plantations, rail and road networks, hydroelectric projects, mineral exploration and mining.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: : http://egreenwatch.nic.in (accessed on 6 February 2015). http://dolr.nic.in/iwdp 1.htm (accessed on 6 February 2015).
Literature cited 2: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/y0900e/y0900e05.htm (accessed on 6 February 2015) Hobbs, R.J. and Norton, D.A., Restor.Ecol, 1996, 1996, 4, 93-110.

ID: 60802
Title: Nest site characterization of sympatric hornbills in a tropical dry forest.
Author: Ushma Shukla, Soumya Prasad, Mohan Joshi, Sachin Sridhara and David A. Westcott.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1725-1730(2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Anthracoceros albirostris, nesting ecology, Ocyceros birostris, tropical forests.
Abstract: Hornbills, among the largest and most threat4ened tropical frugivores, provide important seed dispersal services. Hornbill nest site characteristics are known primarily from wet tropical forests. Nests of the Indian grey hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris were characterized in a tropical dry forest. Despite A.albirostris being twice the size of O.birostris, few of the nest cavity attributes were different. A.albirostris nests were surrounded by higher proportion of mixed forest and lower sal forest compared to O.birostris. In this landscape, the larger A.albirostris may prefer to nest in sites with more food plants compared to the smaller O.birostris.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Kinnaird, M.F. and O ' Brien, T.G., The Ecology and Conservation of Asian Hornbills: Farmers of the Forest, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2007. Lenz, J., Fiedler, W., Caprano, T., Friedrichs, W., Gaese, B.H., Wikelski, M. and Bohning-Gaese, K., Seed-dispersal distributions by trumpeter hornbills in fragmented landscapes.Proc.R.Soc.London, Ser.B, 2010, rspb20102383.
Literature cited 2: Murphy, P.G. and Lugo, A.E., Ecology of tropical dry forest.Annu.Rev.Ecol.Syst, 1986, 17, 67-88. Kannan, R., Ecology and conservation of the Great pied hornbill (Buceros bicornis) in the Western Ghats of southern India, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1994.

ID: 60801
Title: The admissible tsunamigenic source region of 24 September 2013 land-based earthquake-application of backward ray tracing technique.
Author: Ch.Patanjali Kumar, B.Ajay Kumar, E.Uma Devi, R.S. Mahendra, M.V. Sunanda, M.Pradeep Kumar, J.Padmanabham, S.Dipankar and T.Srinivasa Kumar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1712-1716 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Backward ray tracing, earthquake, tsunami, subduction zone.
Abstract: A minor tsunami of about 50 cm was generated along the coast of Qurayat near Makran subduction zone in the Arabian Sea due to the 24 September 2013 Pakistan earthquake of magnitude 7.6 Mw (mB), although its source was ~200 km far inland of the Makran trench. The real-time sea-level observation network in the Arabian Sea recorded minor tsunami arrivals. In an attempt to explain the mechanism of this unusual tsunami, we use backward ray tracing technique to map the admissible region of tsunamigenic source. Basically, in this technique the ray equations are integrated starting from the specific locations of tsunami observations, in all possible directions. The known travel time of the initial waves to the respective tide gauges and tsunami buoys is used in this method. Backward wave front is constructed by joining all end-points of the rays from each of the locations. The region where the envelope of all backward wave fronts converges is considered as the source of the tsunami, which is ~470 km from the earthquake epicentre with the location at 24.8 N and 61.5 E. The admissible region identified is an undersea section between Chabahar and Gwadar, where a mud island had appeared subsequent to this earthquake. Convergence of the tsunami source zone and location of the mud island suggest that the sudden uplift must have caused the tsunami.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Hasegawa, H.S. and Kanamori, H., Source mechanism of the magnitude 7.2 Grand Banks earthquake of 18 November 1929: double-couple or submarine landslide? Bull.Seismol.Soc.Am, 1987, 77, 1984-2004. Rajendran, C.P., Rajendran, K., Shah-Hosseini, M., Abdolmajid, N.B., Nautiyal, C.M. and Ronia, A., The hazard potential of the western segment of the Makran subduction zone, northern Arabian Sea.Nat.Hazards, 2013, 65, 219-239; doi: 10.1007/s 11069-012-0355-6.
Literature cited 2: Jolivet, R.et al., The 2013 Mw 7.7 Balochistan earthquake: seismic potential of an accretionary wedge.Bull.Sesmol.Soc.Am, 2014, 104 (2), 1020-1030. Nayak, S. and Srinivasa Kumar, T., The first tsunami warning centre in the Indian Ocean. In Risk Wise, Tudor Rose Publishers, UK, 2008, pp.175-177.

ID: 60800
Title: The May 21st, 2014 Bay of Bengal earthquake: implications for intraplate stress regime.
Author: A.K.Rai, S. Tripathy and S.C.Sahu
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1706-1712 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Earthquake location, focal mechanism, intraplate seismicity, tectonic zones.
Abstract: The northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, i.e. the Bay of Bengal (BoB) is located near some of the most complicated tectonic zones on the Earth. An earth-quake of magnitude ~6.0 occurred on 21 May 2014 near the coast of Odisha. Occasional moderate to large earthquakes in BoB highlight the need to study precise hypocentre locations, and focal mechanisms to understand the cause of intraplate seismicity in BoB. It is also important for seismic hazard and tsunami risk evaluation along the eastern coast of India. We present an analysis of the digital data of this earthquake recorded by regional and global networks of seismic stations. Our analysis of travel-times of P-and S-waves indicates that the epicentre of the earthquake is located between the Eighty Five East and Ninety East ridges. The focus of this earthquake was at a depth of ~61 km, well below the lower boundary of the oceanic crust. The focal mechanism determined by modeling long period P-and SH-waveforms suggest a strike-slip motion along a NW-SE or NEE-SWW-directed fault or fracture. We interpret that the upper part of the BoB lithosphere is abnormally strong and brittle.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Andrade, V. and Rajendran, K., The April 2012 Indian Ocean earthquakes: seismotectonic context and implications for their mechanisms.Tectnonophysics, 2014, 617, 126-139. Whittaker, J.M., Goncharov, A., Williams, S., E., Muler, R. and LKeotchenkov, G., Global sediment thickness dataset updated for the Australian-Antarctic Southern Ocean.Geochem.Geophys.Geosyst., 2013, 14, 3297-3305.
Literature cited 2: Curray, J., Emel, F., Moore, D. and Raitt, R., Structure, tectonics, and geological history of the northeastern Indian ocean. In The Ocean Basins and Margins (eds Nairn, A.E.M.and Stehli, F.G.), 1982, vol.6, pp.399-450. Rao, D.G., Krishna, K. and Sar, D., Crustal evolution and sedimentation history of the Bay of Bengal since the Cretaceous. J. Geophys. Res, 1997, 102, 17747-17768.

ID: 60799
Title: Northeast Microbial Database: a web-based databank of culturable soil microbes from North East India.
Author: S.R.Joshi, Subhro Banerjee, Kaushik Bhattacharjee, Nathaniel A.Lyngwi, Khedarani Koijam, Polashree Khaund, Lamaban Sophiya Devi and Fenella M.W. Nongkhlaw.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1702-1706 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Digital databse, landscape elements, natural ecosystems, soil microbes.
Abstract: Northeast Microbial Database (NEMiD) is a first of its kind digital database on microbial diversity from North East (NE) India, which provides information on culturable microbes (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) isolated from soils of the region (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and parts of North Bengal) distributed across landscape elements (LSE) spread in various ecosystems. The database is based on the primary data through survey, isolation and characterization of the microbes during 2008-2012.Details about a particular microorganism in the database cover aspects of phylogenetic information on taxonomic outline and classification, morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization, general and cultural characteristics, geographical/location information, history of cultures and preservation details. Each microbe is identified based on cultural, biochemical and molecular characteristics leading to its taxonomic position up to the species level along with information on sampling sites comprising altitude, soil type, latitude, longitude, soil temperature, ambient temperature, humidity and soil pH. The database is available on-line at http:mblabnehu.info/nemid.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Palacio, M., Towards an index of all known species: the catalogue of life, its rationale, design and use. Integr.Zool, 2006, 1, 18-26. Tiwari, O.N., Oinam, G., Koijam,L., Devi, S.D. and Singh, O. A., Cyanobacterial biodiversity, conservation and possible commercial exploitation of Indian region falling Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.Biosci.Biotechnol.Res.Commun., 2009, 1 (2), 5-32.
Literature cited 2: Sota, T, Interactions among organisms, animals and plants. 17th Symposium of the Society of Population Ecology. Res.Popul.Ecol, 1996, 38 (2), 183-184. Leroy, F.and De Vuyst, L., Lactic acid bacteria as functional starter cultures for the food fermentation industry. Trends Food Sci.Technol, 2004, 15 (2), 67-78.

ID: 60798
Title: Tree species composition in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Northern Western Ghats of India.
Author: A.Joglekar, M.Tadwalkar, M.Mhaskar, B.Chavan, K.N.Ganeshaiah and A.Patwardhan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1688-1693 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Memecylon Syzgium-Olea, rarity score, Simple Avalanche index.
Abstract: We established belt transects of 1000 m x5 m in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary at 12 different localities, to study tree species diversity. A total of 4296 individuals of girth at breast height (GBH) ? 15 cm were enumerated belonging to 108 species. A subtype of Memecylon-Syzygium-Olea was identified based on dominance from the area previously ascribed to Memecylon-Syzygium-Actinodaphne floristic series. Out of 41 families, Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae and Moraceae were found to be dominant families according to the Family Importance Value. Shannon index (H ' ) ranged from 1.5 to 3.03.Taxonomic diversity measured for each sampled locality using normalized simple Avalanche index showed variation between 0.104 and 1.00 and positive correlation with H ' . Rarity score for identifying unique tree species composition correlated positively with simple avalanche index. Evergreen forest of Navja and Ozarade together showed highest population of IUCN-listed tree species. This study shall pave the way for the subsequent ecological research in this area has recently been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: http://www.conservation.org/where /priority areas/hotspots/asia-pacific/Pages/asia-pacific.aspx. Ghate, U., Bhagwat, S., Gokhale, Y., Gour-Broome, V. and Barwe, V., Assessing the tropical forest plant diversity: a case study from Western Ghats, India.Int.J.Ecol.Environ.Sci, 1997, 23, 419-444.
Literature cited 2: Kanade, R., Tadwalkar,M., Kushalappa,C.and Patwardhan,A., Vegetation composition and woody species diversity at Chandoli National Park, northern Western Ghats,India.Curr.Sci, 2008, 95, 637-646. Watve, A., Gandhe, R.R.and Gandhe, K., Vegetation structure and composition of semi-evergreen forest fragments in Mulshi area of Northern Western Ghats.Ann.For., 2003, 11 (2), 155-165.

ID: 60797
Title: Landslide susceptibility zonation of Tehri reservoir rim region using binary logistic regression model.
Author: Rohan Kumar and R.Anbalagan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1662-1672 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Logistic regression, landslide susceptibility zonation, remote sensing, reservoir rim.
Abstract: A remote sensing and GIS based landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) of the Tehri reservoir rim region has been presented here. Landslide causal factors such as land use/land cover, photo-lineaments, landslide incidences, drainage, slope, aspect, relative relief, topographic wetness index and stream power index were derived from remote sensing data. Ancillary data in cluded published geological map, soil map and topographic map. Correlation between factor classes and landslides was computed using binary logistic regression model and probability estimate of landslide occurrence on cell-by-cell basis for the entire study area was obtained. The probability map was further classified into very low, low moderate, high and very high susceptible zones using statistical class break technique. Accuracy assessment of the model was performed using ROC curve technique, which in turn gave acceptable 80.2 % accuracy.LSZ indicates that the area immediate to the reservoir side slope is highly prone to landslides.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Impact of Tehri dam lessons learnt. Ahec report for utarakhand Government, 2008; www.iitr.ernet.in/centers/AHEC/pages /index.html. Varnes, D.J., International Association of Engineering Geology Commission on Landslides and Other Mass Movements on Slopes: Landslide Hazard Zonation: a Review of Principles and Practice.UNESCO Press, Paris, 1984, p. 63.
Literature cited 2: Hutchinson, J.N., Landslide hazard assessment. In Proceedings of VI International Symposium on the Landslides, Christchurch, 1995, vol. 1, pp.1805-1842. Guzzetti, F., Reichenbach, P., Cardinali, M., Galli, M. and Ardizzone, F., Probabilistic landslide hazard assessment at the basin scale. Geomorphology, 2005, 72, 272-299.

ID: 60796
Title: Development of self-sustaining phototrophic granular biomass for bioremediation applications.
Author: Rajesh Kumar and Vayalam P. Venugopalan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1653-1661 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biofilm, bioremediation, granular biomass, microbial aerobic granules.
Abstract: Natural aquatic biofilms (e.g.periphyton) play a major role in the degradation of conventional pollutants as well as xenobiotics that enter our aquatic systems. The remarkable ability of biofilms to degrade pollutants has been harnessed for purposes such as waste-water treatment. Recent developments in aerobic microbial granulation technology have brought about substantial improvements in biofilm-based remediation processes, offering several advantages such as high biomass retention, rapid biomass settling, high tolerance to toxicity, ability to withstand shock loading and low excess sludge production. We hypothesized that the diverse metabolic machinery and mixed microbial (bacterial, cynobacterial and microalgal) functions of lotic biofilms could be exploited, if they can be successfully reproduced in the laboratory in the form of granular biomass. Accordingly, a method was developed for the cultivation of phototrophic aerobic microbial granules using bubble column photobioreactors. Mixed inoculums consisting of activated sludge and mixed microalgal cultures was added to column-type bubbled photobioreactors, which were operated in sequential batch mode with 24 h cycle time and 30 % volumetric retention. Granulation of biomass was achieved within five weeks. The significance of the work is that it combines the advantages of both aerobic granular sludge and phototrophic biofilms. The bioreactors can be operated without addition of any external organic carbon sources, as carbon fixation by the phototrophic elements can support the mixed microbial biomass in the reactor. This granular phototrophic mixed microbial biomass consortium has tremendous applications in environmental biotechnology, which was demonstrated by degrading a toxic model pollutant (phenol).
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: de Kreuk, M.K., Kishida, N. and van Loosdrecht, M.C., Aerobic granular sludge-state of the art. Water Sci.Technol, 2007, 55, 75-81. Singh, R., Paul, D. and Jain, R.K., Biofilms: implications in bioremediation. Trends Microbial, 2006, 14, 389-397.
Literature cited 2: Iwamoto, T. and Nasu, M., Current bioremediation practice and perspective.J.Biosci.Bioeng, 2001, 92, 1-8. Tapia-Rodriguez, A., Tordable-Martinez, V., Sun, W., Field, J.A. and Sierra-Alvarez, R., Uranium bioremediation in continuously fed up-flow sand columns inoculated with anaerobic granules.Biotechnol.Bioeng., 2011, 108, 2583-2591.