Enter records

ID: 59635
Title: The culture of environmental education: insights from a citizen science experiment in India.
Author: Sindhu Radhakrishna, V.V.Binoy and Anitha Kurup.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (2) 176-178 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: C ulture of environmental education, citizen science experiment, India
Abstract: The impact of culture on environmental education is well acknowledged by theorists and practitioners in the field; however, the particular mechanisms by which cultural factors may influence environmental educational practices are still relatively unexplored .In this note we describe a citizen science initiative that we attempted to implement in a rural area in southern India, and draw on our experiences with the project to show how cultural beliefs regarding the purpose of school education and the importance of environmental issues can interact in subtle ways to present challenging scenarios to environmental educators.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Falk, J.H., Heimlich, J.E. and Foutz, S., Free-Choice Learning and the Environment, CA, AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, 2009. Dillon, J., Rickinson, M., Teamey, K., Morris, M., Choi, M.Y., Sanders, D. and Benefield, P., School Sci.Rev, 2006, 87, 107-111.
Literature cited 2: Farmer, J., Knapp, D. and Benton, G., J. Environ.Educ., 2007, 38, 33-42. Kransy, M.E. and Bonney, R., In Environmental Education and Advocacy: Changing perspectives of Ecology and Education (eds Mappin, M.J. and Johnson, E.A.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005.

ID: 59634
Title: Thwarting changing landuse-a step towards Ganga rejuvenation
Author: Shikha Sharma and Madhoolika Agrawal.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (2) 174-175 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Thwarting, Changing landuse, Ganga rejuvenation.
Abstract: The establishment of the Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenatation by the Government of India has sprouted a new hope for River Ganga. The river is breathing on a ventilator supplemented with variable doses of pollutants. One may ponder whether the sanction of crores of rupees will accomplish what has not been since the last 27 years (Foundation of Ganga Action Plan (GAP), 1986). The GAP I and II failed to accomplish what has been documented in their dossiers. One of the issues the plan lacked was watershed development and land-use changes in the basin.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Status paper on River Ganga -state of environment and quality, Report, National River Conservation Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, 2009. Pollution assessment: River Ganga, Report, the Central pollution control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, 2013.
Literature cited 2: Varanasi to have three new ghats, Times of India, 31 May 2014, p.2. Ekness, P., Ecohydrological impacts of climate and land uses changes on watershed systems: a multi-scale assessment for policy, Dissertation, university of Massachusetts, Amherst scholar works@UMass Amherst, 2013, paper 789.

ID: 59633
Title: Primitive breeding in an ancient Indian frog genus Indirana.
Author: : Nikhil Gaitonde and Varad Giri.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 109-112 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Amplexus, anuran, Indirana, reproductive mode, terrestrial eggs.
Abstract: The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is rich in herpetofauna and harbours numerous endemic species. Unfortunately, many of these understudied species are threatened due to habitat loss, pollution, infectious diseases and climate change. Indirana (family Ranixalidae) is an ancient frog genus, endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Unlike most amphibians, it lays terrestrial eggs and has semi-terrestrial tadpoles. We barely have any knowledge about their development, life history, mating systems and reproductive ecology. Such information is crucial to design and implement successful conservation programmes. Hence, we studied the courtship, spawning behavior and reproductive mode of an Indirana sp. from Amboli Reserve Forest located in the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India. This species showcases a primitive type of inguinal amplexus and exhibits pronounced sexual size dimorphism, where females are significantly larger than the males. Average clutch size was 226 ? 41.5 eggs, with an egg diameter of 3.25 ? 0.32 mm. Fertilization rate was 87% with 100 % hatching success. Additionally, this frog has evolved terrestrial eggs without the dependent traits like parental care and large egg size/small clutch size witnessed in other terrestrially egg-laying anurans (frogs and toads). This frog has reproductive mode 19, with its characteristic semi-terrestrial tadpoles. This genus represents the extreme of the trend (from obligatory aquatic to completely terrestrial) that amphibians show towards terrestriality.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Duellman, W.E. and Trueb, L, Biology of Amphibians, The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1994, pp. 13-85. Haddad, C.F. and Prado, C.P., Reproductive modes in frogs and their unexpected diversity in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Bioscience, 2005, 55, 207-217.
Literature cited 2: Wells, K.D., The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2010, pp. 338-557. Gramapurohit, N.P. and Radder, R.S., Changes in plasma sex steroids in relation to reproductive behavior of the toad, Bufo melanostictus (Schn) Copeia, 2013, 2, 332-337.

ID: 59632
Title: Isolation of predominant bacterium from gut of earthworm Lampito mauritii for effective use in soil fertility.
Author: Sreejata Biswas, Pulak Lahiri and Satadal Das.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 105-108 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Composting, gut bacteria, Lampito mauritii, organic waste, soil fertility.
Abstract: Lampito mauritii is an anecic earthworm living in the topsoil and it is geophytophagous in nature. This earthworm is an important soil macrofauna as it has the dual role of an ' ecosystem engineer ' due to the ability to build burrows as well as ' keystone species ' in soil food webs because of its function in degradation of organic wastes. The present study investigates the gut of this earthworm to find the most predominant bacterium harboured therein. Gut contents were regularly extracted and streaked on bacteriological media. The predominant type of colony was identified, isolated and streaked separately to get pure colonies. The microbe was subjected to several biochemical tests and also 16S rRNA sequencing for identification. On the basis of these tests, the bacterium was identified as Bacillus cereus. The microbe was used as a composting agent on solid wastes as a result of which good amount of plant nutrients, specially nitrogen (20.3 kg/acre), phosphate (27.4 kg/acre) and potassium (52.1 kg/acre) were found in the resultant manure. The compost thus obtained was then utilized for the production of vegetables with an attempt to protect soil environment, thus reducing the deleterious effects of chemical fertilizers.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Bot, A. and Benites, J., The importance of soil organic matter: key to drought -resistant soil and sustained food production. FAO soils Bulletin 80, FAO, Rome, 2005, pp. 1-77. Jones, C.G., Lawton, J.H. and Shachak, M., organisms as ecosystem engineers. Oikos, 1994, 69, 373-386.
Literature cited 2: Anderson, J.M., Soil organisms as engineers: microsite modulation of macroscale processes. In Linking Species and Ecosystems (eds Im Joies, C.G. and Lawton, J.H.). Chapman and Hall, London, 1995, pp. 94-106. Kale, R.D. and Karmegam, N., The role of earthworms in tropics with emphasis on Indian ecosystems. Appl. Environ.Soil Sci., 2010, 1-16; article Id 414356.

ID: 59631
Title: Soil CO? flux in the different ecosystems of North East India.
Author: A.Thokchom and P.S. Yadava.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 99-105 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Multiple regression, soil CO? flux, soil moisture, soil organic carbon, soil temperature.
Abstract: We examined monthly and seasonal changes in soil CO? flux in the grassland, bamboo and Dipterocarpus forest ecosystems of Manipur, North East India. Soil CO? flux was recorded to be highest during rainy season and lowest during cool and dry winter season. Soil CO? flux rate was recorded to be highest in forest followed by grassland and bamboo forest. Multiple regression revealed that up to 92% of variation in soil CO? flux could be explained by soil moisture, soil temperature and soil organic carbon in three different ecosystems. Annual amount of CO? flux from soil was estimated at 694.86, 671.16 and 1029.25 g c m?? y?? in grassland, bamboo and Dipterocarpus forest ecosystems respectively. Thus the results indicate that soil CO? flux rate is highly influenced by seasons, environmental factors and types of vegetation in the different ecosystems of NE India.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Han, G., Zhou, G., Xu, Z., Yang, Y., Liu, J. and Shi, K., Biotic and abiotic factors controlling the spatial and temporal variation of soil respiration in an agricultural ecosystem. Soil Biol. Biochem., 2007, 39, 418-425. Zhou, Z., Zhang, Z., Zha, T., Luo, Z., Zheng, J. and Sun, O.J., Predicting soil respiration using carbon stock in roots, litter and soil organic matter in forests of Loess Plateau in China. Soil Biol. Biochem., 2013, 57, 135-143.
Literature cited 2: Buchmann, N., Biotic and abiotic factors controlling soil respiration rates in Picea abies stands. Soil Biol. Biochem., 2000, 32, 1625-1635. Schlesinger, W.H. and Andrews, J.A., Soil respiration and the global carbon cycle. Biogeochemistry, 2000, 48, 7-20.

ID: 59630
Title: Estimation of soil carbon stocks in Pabitora Sanctuary and Manas National Park in Assam.
Author: Irom Royal and Manish Kumar Goyal.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 94-98 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon sequestration, carbon stock, climate change, global warming, soil analysis.
Abstract: North East India known for its flora and fauna, is covered by the mighty Brahmaputra-Barak river systems and their tributaries and comprises hilly terrain interspersed with valleys and plains. A field study was done to layout the soil carbon stock of Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Manas National Park in Assam. Maximum average carbon stock in both was estimated in the upper layer of the soil sample, while least carbon stock was obtained at deepest layer (20-30 cm). The average carbon stock of the Manas National Park was higher than that of Pabitora Wild- life Sanctuary.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Batjes, N.H., Total carbon and nitrogen and nitrogen in the soils of the world. Eur.J. Soil Sci., 1996, 47, 151-163. Patil, B. et al., Carbon sequestration potential of the Jambudghoda wildlife sanctuary, Gujarat. IJSRP, 2012, 2, 2250-3153.
Literature cited 2: Lal, R., Soil carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. Geoderma, 2004, 123, 1-22. Lal, R., Soil carbon sequestration in India. Climate Change, 2004, 65, 277-296.

ID: 59629
Title: Forecasting the distribution of heavy metals in soil and groundwater near municipal solid waste dumpsites using linear regression.
Author: Srikanth Srigiri, Hanmandlu Madasu, Balaram Vysetti and Vandana Parth.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 78-88 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Ground water, heavy metals, municipal solid waste, soil.
Abstract: The levels of heavy metals are measured at different dumpsites with different distances and directions under the jurisdiction of Greater Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad for ascertaining the soil and groundwater quality and forecasting as a part of integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management study. The datasets indicate a steady decrease in the concentrations of ions and heavy metals in groundwater with distance from the MSW dumpsites. Similar trends are observed for the levels of heavy metals in soil at dump sites around the MSW dumpsite. In this study, we have used both linear and quadratic regression to predict water and soil constitutes. As the datasets on the components of solid waste and groundwater are limited, the desired level of forecasting accuracy could not be achieved. However, for some components the results are promising. This study suggests that improvement can be achieved by removing the outliers from the dataset. If the errors are large for a component, it would mean that we need a better way of separation of this component from the waste.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Boulding, J.R., Practical Handbook of Soil, Vadose Zone, and Groundwater Contamination: Assessment, Prevention, and Remediation, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL, 1995. Chandrasekhar,K., Chary, N.S., Kamala, C.T., Venkateswara Rao, J., Balaram, V.and Anjaneyulu, Y., Risk assessment and pathway study of arsenic in industrially contaminated sites of Hyderabad: a case study.Environ.Int., 2003,29, 601-611.
Literature cited 2: Marina, I., Margherita, L., Angela, N. and Alfredo, P., Toxicity identification evaluation of leachates from municipal solid waste landfills: A multispecies approach. Chemosphere, 2003, 52, 85-94. Chandrasekhar, K., Kamala, C.T., Chary, N.S., Balaram, V. and Garcio, G., Potential of Hemidesmns indicus for phytoextraction of lead from industrially contaminated soils. Chemosphere, 2005, 58, 507-514.

ID: 59628
Title: Variation of black carbon concentration associated with rain events at a tropical urban location.
Author: Shamitaksha Talukdar, Soumyajyoti Jana and Animesh Maitra.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 72-78 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Black carbon concentration, diurnal variation, rain effect, temperature inversion, tropical urban location.
Abstract: Mass concentration of black carbon (BC) near the surface (within the planetary atmospheric boundary layer) was measured using a seven-channel aethalometer at Kolkata, a metropolitan city in the Indian tropical region, during the period from June 2012 to May 2013. The diurnal variation of BC concentration shows a prominent increase in the morning and evening hours, an usual feature of the BC concentration shows a prominent increase in the morning and evening hours, an usual feature seen over continents. However, an anomalous feature of the BC variation is observed subsequent to rain events. On normal days, the BC mass concentration during noon and early afternoon hours remains around 8000 ng/m? at Kolkata. However, after the occurrence of isolated thundershowers, interestingly, the BC concentration increases (rather than decreasing due to washout) and at times reaches above 20,000ng/m? during noon and early afternoon hours. This increase is found to be associated with the formation of local temperature inversion within the atmospheric boundary layer during and after the occurrence of rain, which would suppress or inhibit vertical mixing and dispersion in contrast to non-rainy days. Results are presented to indicate the above-mentioned behaviour of BC concentration.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Rosen, H., D.A., Gundel, L.and Novakov, T., Identification of the optically absorbing component in urban aerosols. Appl.opt., 1978, 17, 3859-3861. Ramanathan, V. and Carmichael, G., Global and regional climate changes due to black carbon.Nature GeoSci., 2008, 1, 221-227.
Literature cited 2: Tiwari, S., Srivastava, A.K., Bisht, D.S., Parmita, P., Srivastava, M.K. and Attri, S.D., Diurnal and seasonal variations of black carbon and PM?.? over New Delhi, India: influence of meteorology.Atmos.Res., 2013, 125-126, 50-62. Chen, L.W.A., Doddridge, B.G., Dickerson, R.R., Chow, J.C., Mueller, P.K., Quinn, J. and Butler, W.A.., Seasonal variations in elemental carbon aerosols, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide: implications for sources. Geophys.Res. Lett., 2001, 28, 1711-1714, doi: 10.1029/2000GL012354.

ID: 59627
Title: Tide-induced geometrical changes in Chilika lagoon using remote sensing.
Author: M.Gupta
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 63-67 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Chilika, lagoon, RESOURCESAT-1 A WiFS, remote sensing, tide gauge.
Abstract: This article presents hourly data from four tide gauge locations in the Chilika lagoon vis-?-vis satellite data, to study the tidal influences on the geometrical changes in the lagoon. The satellite -derived highest area and perimeter are 864.76 km? and 1512 km respectively, consistent with the field-observed occurrences of the low and high tides. The geometrical changes of 5.4% (44.36 km?) in area and 24.8% (300.83 km) in the perimeter, in one month duration, solely because of the tides are considerable changes. High radiometric resolution of the sensor provided improved delineation of land-water boundary of the lagoon shores.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Ashley, G.M. and Grizzle, R.E., Interactions between hydrodynamics, benthos and sedimentation in a tide-dominated coastal lagoon. Mar.Geol., 1988, 82, 61-81. Hill, M.B. and Webb, J.E., The ecology of Lagos lagoon.II. The topography and physical features of Lagos Harbour and Lagos lagoon. Philos.Trans.R. Soc.London, Ser.B, 1958,241, 319-333.
Literature cited 2: Pattanaik, S., Conservation of environment and protection of marginalized fishing communities of Lake Chilika in Orissa, India. J. Hum.Ecol., 2007, 22, 291-302. Rajawat,A.S., Gupta, M., Acharya, B.C. and Nayak, S., Impact of new mouth opening on morphology and water quality of the Chilika Lagoon-a study based on Resourcesat-1 LISS-III and A WiFS and IRS -1D LISS-III data.Int.J.Remote Sensing, 2007, 28, 905-923.

ID: 59626
Title: Climate change analysis in southern Telangana region, Andhra Pradesh using LARS-WG model.
Author: K.S.Reddy, M. Kumar, V. Maruthi, B. Umesha, Vijayalaxmi and C.V.K. Nageswar Rao.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 54-62 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate change, rainfall, temperature, weather-generating models.
Abstract: Weather-generating models are widely used for studying the climate change over longer periods. LARS-WG model was evaluated for southern Telangana region (Hayathnagar, Yacharam and Rajendranagar). A 30-year base weather data (1980-2010) was used to generate the long-term weather series from 2011 to 2060. The results of t and F tests at probability of 5% for comparing means and standard deviations of monthly rainfall and air temperatures indicated that the observed and predicted series for the base period are within acceptable limits. The statistics of model efficiency indicates that mean monthly rainfall and daily air temperature are close to the predicted series over the base period. The model efficiency was highest in the case of Rajendranagar (98.75%). The root mean square error and sum of square error varied from 0.4 to 1.3mm and 615 to 1745 mm respectively. The model predicted the maximum increase in average annual rainfall of 5.16% in 2030 and 9.5% in 2060 for Yacharam compared to Hayathnagar and Rajendranagar over the normal annual rainfall of the base period (1980-2010). However, the model predicted increase in average seasonal rainfall for Hyathnagar (6.2% in 2030 and 8.8% in 2060). In case of air temperature, the model predicted increase in maximum temperature in the range 1-1.53% and 2.5% for 2030 and 2060 respectively, for these locations whereas minimum temperature decreased in the range 3.7-10.2% and 6.3-11.7% respectively, for 2030 and 2060. The performance of LARS-WG model was ranked high with maximum model efficiency in all selected mandals of Ranga Reddy district in southern Telangana. This model can be replicated in other mandals of southern Telangana as climate characteristics of the present mandals are similar to other districts in the region.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Chen, H., Guo, J., Zhang, Z. and Xu, C.-Y., Prediction of temperature and precipitation in Sudan and South Sudan by using LARS-WG in future.Theor.Appl.Climatol., 2013, 113, 363-375. Helmy, M.E., EI Marsafawy, S.M. and Ouda, S.A., Assessing the Impact of Climate on Crop Water Needs in Egypt: The Crop Wat Analysis of the Three Districts in Egypt, Soil, Water & Environment Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, 2009.
Literature cited 2: Reddy, K.S., Kumar, M., Nagarjuna Kumar, R., Umesha, B., Vijayalakshmi and Venkateswarlu, B., Long term rainfall and temperature analysis through ClimGen model in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh. Agrometerol. (Spec.Issue-I), 2012, 15, 45-50 Hashmi, M.Z., Shamseldin, A.Y. and Melville, B. W., Down-scaling of future rainfall extreme events: a weather generator based approach. In 18th World IMACS/MODSIM Congress, Cairns, Australia, 2012, pp.13-17.

ID: 59625
Title: Consequence of cyclonic storm Phailin on coastal morphology of Rushikulya estuary: an arribada site of vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles along the east coast of India.
Author: H.SHIVA KUMAR, SATEJ PANDITRAO, S.K. BALIARSINGH, PRAKASH MOHANTY, R.S. MAHENDRA, ANEESH A. LOTLIKER, T.SRINIVASA KUMAR.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 28-30 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Phailin, Rushikulya estuary, an arribada site of vulnerable Olive Ridley sea.
Abstract: A very severe cyclonic storm Phailin, a category -5 hurricane, was developed over the north of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 9 October 2013. Subsequently, it propagated towards north-northwest and made landfall at the Gopalpur coast, Odisha on 12 October. The present study area, Rushikulya estuary is in close proximity (15 km north) to the landfall point. Significant changes occurred in the geomorphologic structure of the estuary due to effect of Phailin. The study area receives international recognition due to episodic mass nesting event (arribada) of endangered Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles. A long sand spit which was running parallel to the coast, as a result separating the estuary from the sea, was eroded significantly due to the strong surge exerted by cyclone Phailin. Large areas of the coastal region were inundated due to storm surge (recorded 2.5 m) during the storm. The spit development in the estuary mouth regions is correlated with the longshore transportation of sediments and the dominant influence of the southwest monsoon. The sand spits develop due to accumulation of sand derived from the adjacent sea bed or sand from the land through the river on the southern part. In the present study, we have attempted to assess the spatio-temporal changes that occurred in the sand spit and shoreline using sequential satellite data pertaining to the period 2003-2014. Satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) have proved as meaningful tools to monitor and evaluate the land-form changes. For the present study, satellite datasets of Geoeye (Pass: 11-21-2003, 01-29-2005, 10-27-2009, 10-27-2011, 12-20-2012, 01-25-2013) and of Landsat-8 (Pass: 04-10-2013, 03-19-2014) were processed using GIS software package ERDAS imagine (version 2014) and ArcGIS (version 10.2.1) to assess the coastal morphological changes.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Lotliker, A.A., Srinivasakumar, T., Red-dem, V.S. and Nayak, S., Curr.Sci., 2014, 106 (3), 360-361. India Meteorological Department, http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/phailin.pdf.
Literature cited 2: Sahu, K. C., In Hyerspectral Remote Sensing and Spectral Signature Applications (eds Rajendran, S. et al.) New India Publishing, 2014, pp. 427-436. Kumar, T.S., Mahendra, R.S., Nayak, S., Radhakrishnan, K. and Sahu, K.C., J. Coastal Res., 2010, 26 (3), 523-534.

ID: 59624
Title: ' Asoka ' -an important medicinal plant, its market scenario and conservation measures in India.
Author: S.NOORUNNISA BEGUM, K.RAVIKUMAR, D.K.VED.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 26-28 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: ' Asoka ' -an important medicinal plant, market scenario, conservation measures in India.
Abstract: ' Asoka chhal ' is the bark of Asoka (Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wild.) tree, commonly known as ' Sita Ashok ' , and assessed as Endangered (Karnataka), and Data Deficient (Kerala and Tamil Nadu). It is an important medicinal plant used largely by India ' s herbal industry and in the preparation of Ayurvedic formulations, including ' Asoka aristham ' . Field studies reveal inadequate wild populations of S. asoca (Roxb.) willd. to cater to the needs of the herbal industry. It suggests the probable substitutes and adulterants used in place of genuine raw drug and efforts taken towards the conservation and resource augmentation.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Ravikumar, K. and Ved, D.K., Illustrated Field Guide, 100 Red -Listed Medicinal Plants of Conservation Concern in Southern India, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore, 2000,pp.334-336. Anon., The Wealth of India, National Institute of Science Communication, CSIR, New Delhi, 1997,v, 135; 1998, x, 279-281,1998, Viii, 187-188; 1999, ix, 320,332-334.
Literature cited 2: Pandey, G., Dravyaguna Vigyana, Chowkhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 2005, vol.1, pp.229-234. Misra, S., Bhavaprakasa Nighantu, Chaukambha Bharti Academy, Varanasi, 2007, 11th edn, pp. 500-501.

ID: 59623
Title: A simple low-cost water sprinkling nozzle for field crop irrigation.
Author: Atiqur Rahman and A.K. Singh
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 22-25 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: A simple low-cost water sprinkling nozzle, field crop irrigation
Abstract: For low-cost pressurized irrigation system for field crops, researchers and manufacturers are continuously in the quest to develop a simple, low-cost nozzle which requires low operating pressure, and can be manufactured using relatively unsophisticated manufacturing facilities and locally available resources. In view of these, here we present a concept and methodology for developing a simple, low-cost irrigation nozzle using PVC pipe. To corroborate the concept, a nozzle was developed and tested for its performance. Performance indicators showed that the nozzle can be operated satisfactorily over the pressure range 0.4-0.6 kg/cm? with application rate of 17-15 mm/h. Due to high application rate, field crops can be irrigated more efficiently compared to nozzles requiring very high operating pressures, ranging from 1.5 to 3.5kg/cm?. Low pressure requirement facilitates the use of low rating pipe network, low capacity pump and other accessories and therefore the overall system cost can be reduced substantially.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Phocaides, A., Technical Handbook on Pressurized Irrigation Techniques, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 2000. Sourell, H., Faci, J.M. and Playan, E., J. Irrig.Drain.Eng., 2003, 129 (5), 376-380.
Literature cited 2: Romero, J.N. O., Martinez, J.M., Martinez, R.S. and Martin-Binto, J.M.T., J.Irrig.Drain.Eng., 2006, 132 (5), 445-452. Keller, J., In Proceedings of 14th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage, ICID, Rio de Janeiro, 1990, pp. 113-138.

ID: 59622
Title: Bio-inspired hemispherical digital cameras of wide-angle field of view
Author: Ujjal Kumar Sur.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (1) 18-19 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Bio-inspired hemispherical digital cameras, wide-angle field of view.
Abstract: Bioinspiration or biomimetics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems in nature for the designing and engineering of materials, devices and machines. Biomimetics can offer new potential and challenges for designing devices and machines with new capabilities by simply replicating nature.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Bar-Cohen, Y., Bioinsp. Biomim., 2006, 1, P 1-P12 Land, M.F.and Fernald, R.D., Annu.Rev.Neurosci., 1992, 15, 1-29
Literature cited 2: Song, Y.M. et al., Nature, 2013, 497, 95-99 Borst, A. and Plett, J., Nature, 2013, 497, 47-48

ID: 59621
Title: Fish distribution dynamics in the Aghanashini estuary of Uttara Kannada, west coast of India.
Author: Mahima Bhat, V.N. Nayak, M.D. Subash Chandran and T.V. Ramachandra
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106 (12) 1739-1744 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Aghanashini estuary, fish diversity, fresh-water, osmo regulation, salinity.
Abstract: Fish diversity (77 species) in the Aghanashini River estuary of the Indian west coast is linked to variable salinity conditions and zones I, II and III for high, medium and low salinity respectively. Zone I, the junction between Arabian Sea and the estuary, had all species in yearly succession-due to freshwater conditions in monsoon to high salinity in pre-monsoon. The medium (zone II) and low (zone III) salinity mid and upstream portions had maximum of 67 and 39 fish species respectively. Maintenance of natural salinity regimes in estuary, among other ecological factors, is critical for its fish diversity.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Pritchard, D.W., Observations of coastal plain estuaries. In Estuaries (ed. Lauff, G.H.), American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1967, vol.83, pp.37-44. Elliotta, M. and McLusky, D.S., The need for definitions in understanding estuaries. Estuarine Coastal Shelf Sci., 2002, 55, 815-827.
Literature cited 2: Breine, J., Maes, J., Ollevier, F. and Stevan, M., Fish assemblages across a salinity gradient in the Zeeschelde estuary (Belgium). Belg. J. Zool., 2011, 141, 21-44. Cronin, L.E. and Mansueti, A. J., The biology of the estuary. In Proceedings of the Symposium on the Biological Significance of Estuaries, Sport Fishing Institute, Washington DC, 1971, pp. 24-39.