ID: 59268
Title: Sustainable development of disaster-affected rural landscape of Kedar Valley (Uttarakhand) through simple technological interventions.
Author: R K Maikhuri, Vikram S Negi, L S Rawat, Ajay Maletha.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 7) 915-916, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Sustainable development, disaster-affected, rural landscape, Kedar valley (Uttarakhand).
Abstract: Unprecedented rains (400 mm) for more than four days during followed by landslides at many places, killing more than 6000 piligrims and tourists and damaging property in different parts of Uttarakhand. Overflowing rivers destroyed many lodges/hotels, human settlements and thousands of hectares of agricultural and forest land. This natural disaster also has claimed the lives of many locals living in the area (950). The research team from GBPIHED, Garhwal Unit (GU) estimates that approximately 10-15 years will be required to revive the tourism-based economy and infrastructure of the Kedar valley.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59267
Title: Compensatory effects of medicinal plants of pakistan upon prolongation of coagulation assays induced by Naja naja karachiensis bite.
Author: Muhammad Hassham Hassan Bin Asad, Durr-e-Sabih, Bashir Ahmad Choudary, Arooj Fatima Asad, Ghulam Murataz, Izhar Hussain.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 6) 870-874, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Antidote, coagulopathy, medical plants, Naja naja karachiensis.
Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate 28 medicinal plants of Pakistan having folklore claims to neutralize coagulopathy induced by Naja naja karachiensis bite in comparison with standard antidote. Venom was tested on citrated human plasma to determine its effect on prothrombin time (PT), activated Partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT). Snake venom (200 ?g/ml) was found to delay PT (13 ? 0.57 to 23 ? 0.57 sec), aPTT (35 ? 1.52 to 48 ? 2.0 sec) and TT (13 ? 0.57 to 33 ? 0.57 sec) within 4.5% coefficent of variance. Prolongation of PT and TT suggested the presence of thrombin-like or plasminogen activating enzymes. Methanolic plant extracts (5 ?g/ml) were considered as effective standard antidote. Enicostemma hyssopifolium (Willd.) Verdoorn (PT=22 ? 0.57 sec, aPTT=36?1.00 sec, TT=19 ? 0.57 sec) and Stenolobium stans (L) D. Don (PT=16 ? 0.57 sec, aPTT=36 ? 0.57 sec, TT=29 ? 0.57 sec) were considered the most protective (? 70%. but ? 92%) from the rest of the listed medicinal plants. Nevertheless, further studies are required for identification and segregation of bioactive constituent(s) as an alternate and cheap source to treat anticoagulation.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59266
Title: Can EI Nino induce stratosphere - toposphere exchange of ozone?
Author: Nandita D Ganguly, K N Iyer.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 6) 860-866, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Ozone, sea-surface temperature, stratosphere, troposhpere, tropics and extratropics.
Abstract: The possibility of stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) of ozone induced by EI Nino has been studied over the Indian region for two events spanning the periods April 1997- May 1998 and August 2006 - February 2007 using in situ and satellite based measurements. The response of STE to EI Nino was observed to be opposite in the tropics and extra tropics. In the tropics, lifting of polluted, ozone-rich surface air led to reduced lower tropospheric and enhanced upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric ozone during the EI Nino period, indicating transport from the troposhpere in the stratospere. Conversely, in the extra tropics, sinking motion from the stratosphere into the troposphere resulted in higher upper tropospheric ozone concentration during the EI Nino period. An increase in the middle and lower troposperic ozone during the EI Nino period. An increase in the middle and lower tropospheric ozone during the La Nina period immediately following the EI Nino period suggests that the response of STE to EI Nino did not manifest concurrently with the period of EI Nino, but lagged by several months. EI Nino southern oscillation (ENSO)- induced changes in total ozone are more prominent in the extra tropics of the northeast, compared to northwest India. However, as vertical ozone profiles are available for only two EI Nino and La Nina events are relatively small, more detailed studies are needed to understand the dynamic influence of ENSO in producing ozone variability in India.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59265
Title: Study of geomorphic features along ECMI by GIS.
Author: M Panigrahi, M Das.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 6) 810-813, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Geomorphic features, ECMI, GIS, Bathymetry.
Abstract: Bathymetry is the science of measuring water depths (usually in the ocean) in order to determine bottom topography. The bathymetry Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is useful to delineate coastline accurately, specifically in the regional scale. In addition to this, GIS technology has significant spatial tools to interpret and analyse various morphometric parameters from available present-day Earth Topography Digital Dataset (ETOPO) bathymetry image. This study is an attempt at quantitative interpretation of continental margin features using bathymetric DEM and GIS.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59264
Title: Ultrastructure of the focus region of the regenerated cycloid scale of an exotic fish, Cyprinus carpio communis L. as a possible key to comprehensive understanding of populations.
Author: M S Johal, Y K Rawal, Apneet Kaur, Amandeep Kaur.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 744-748, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Exotic fish, focus region, regenerated cycloid scale, ultrastructural details.
Abstract: Fish scales (except placoid) have been employed for age determination, growth studies and various growth parameters, which are useful in the formulation of various fishery stocks of commercial fish species. Fish-scale morphology and its morphometrics can be employed for taxonomic purposes and for phylogenetic relationships. The evaluation of populations/stocks of the fish species having wide zoogeographical distribution and inhibiting distinctly different ecological conditions has been done with the help of molecular markers. An alternate technique, i.e. to study the ultrastructural details of the focus region of the regenerated scale has been found to be more reliable and economical. This technique has been tested positively on the regenerated cycloid scale of an exotic fish, Cyprinus carpio communis L. inhabiting five distinctly ecologically different water bodies of northern India.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59263
Title: Long-term deterioration of water quality of the Mvoti Estuary, KwaZutu-Natal, South Africa.
Author: Prisha Sukdeo, Srinivasan Pillay, Hari Ballabh.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 739-743, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Aquatic ecosystems, deterioration, domestic use, estuary, water quality.
Abstract: The Mvoti Estuary located on the eastern seaboard of South Africa is known for its poor water quality. In the present study, concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia, nitrates, chloride, sulphates, sodium and calcium were assessed together with conductivity and pH, compared to legislated guidelines and to previous studies of 1964 and 2000. THE results indicate that with the exception of calcium, the Mvoti system has been experiencing long-term deterioration. Presently, ammonium ions, nitrate and chloride exceed the acceptable guideline tarrget limits, and DO levels are extremely low. The biotic integrity of th system is therefore seriously compromised with the threat of detrimental effects to all users if mitigation measures aimed at improving water quality are not implemented.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59262
Title: Chir pine ring-width thermometry in western Himalaya, India.
Author: Jayendra Singh, Ram R Yadav.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 735-738, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Dendroclimatic potential, Pinus roxburghii, mig-width chronology, summer temperature.
Abstract: We have developed the first annually resolved ring width chronology (AD 1880-2002) of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) from Balcha in Tons valley, western Himalaya. The existence of significant positive relationship between ring-width indices and June-August mean temperature obtained in cross-correlation analysis endorsed the dendroclimatic potential of chir pine chronologies. Using such strong relationship, statistically verifiable first chir pine chronology-based June-August temperature (AD 1880-2001) was reconstructed for the western Himalaya. The calibration model capturing 16% of the variance in instrumental data (AD 1901-1998) showed that the network of such chronologies should help in developing robust temperature records for the western Himalaya.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: 1Borgaonkar, H P., Pant G B. and Rupa Kumar, K., Dendrocimatic reconstruction of summer precipitation at Srinagar, Kashmir, India since the late-eighteenth century, Holocene, 1994, 4, 299-306.
2. Yadav, R R, and Park, W-K., Precipitation reconstruction using ring-width chronology of Himalayan cedar from western Himalaya: Preliminary results. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci (Earth Planet Science.),. 2000, 109, 339-345.
3. Singh, J. and Yadav, R R., Spring precipitation variations over the western Himalaya, India since AD 1731 as deduced from tree rings, J. Geophys. Res. 2005, 110. D01110;
doi: 10.1029/2004JD004855.
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59261
Title: Human role in shaping the hydromorphology of Himalayan rivers: study of the Tista River in Darjeeling Himalaya.
Author: Lukasz Wiejaczka, Anna Bucala, Subir Sarkar.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 717-724, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Darjeeling Himalaya, hydromorphology, human impact, River Habit Survey method, Tista River.
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the hydromorphological state (the degree of naturalness and anthropogenic transformation) of Himalayan rivers and to determine the role of human activity in shaping their hydromorphology. The study was conducted in the valley of the Tista River in Darjeeling Himalaya. The field research was carried out in selected channel sections with and without noticeable human interference. The assessment of the hydromorphological state was conducted on the basis of the River Habitat Survey method. The analysis of research results shows noticeable human interference is not significantly different from that in the sections without noticeable anthropogenic pressure.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: 1.Vaughman, I. P., Diamond, M., Gurnell, A. M. Hall, K, A,, Jenkins, A,. Milner, N, J, and Ormerod, S. J,. Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management. Aquat. Conserv: Mar. Freshwater Ecosyst. 2009, 19, 113-125.
2. Elosegi, A. Diez, J and Mutz, M,. Effects of hydromorphological integrity on biodiversity and functioning of river ecosystems. Hydrobiologia,. 2010, 657, 199-215.
3. Wohl, E,. Human impacts to mountain streams. Geomorphology, 2006, 79, 217-248.
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59260
Title: One-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling of flooding and stage hydrographs in the lower Tapi River in India.
Author: P V Timbadiya, P L Patel, P D Porey.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 708-716, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Flood forecasting, flood protection measures, hydrodynamic modelling, rating curve, stage-discharge relationship.
Abstract: The present study addresses the simulation of floods for the years 2003 and 2006 and the development of stage-discharge relationship along the lower Tapi River in India. The river network and cross-sections, for the present study, were extracted from the field-surveyed contours of the Tapi River. Using the aforesaid geometry and hydrological data, supplied by the stakeholders, the MIKE 11 hydrodynamic model was calibrated for the 1998 flood using releases from the Ukai Dam (flood hydrograph) and the tidal water level in the Arabian Sea as the upstream and downstream boundary conditions respectively. The time series of the simulated flood levels were compared with the corresponding observed values at four intermediate gauging stations: Kakrapur Weir, Mandavi Bridge, Ghala village and the Surat city (Nehru Bridge). The model performance was also evaluated using the standard performance was also evaluated using the standard performance index (i.e. root mean square error) and was found to be reasonably satisfactory for such a data-scarce region. The rating curves (i.e. stage-discharge relationship) were also developed from the aforesaid calibrated model which would be useful in flood forecasting and development of flood protection measures along the lower Tapi River.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: 1.Rahman M. M., Arya, D. S., Goel, N K. and Dhamy, A. P., Design flow and stage computations in the Teesta River, Bangladesh, using frequency analysis and MIKE 11 Modelling, J, Hydrol. Eng. 2011, 16, 176-186.
2. Horritt, M. S., Di Baldassarre, G., Bates, P.D. and Brath, A., Comparing the performance of a 2D finite element and a 2D finite volume model of floodplain inundation using airborne SAR imagery. Hydrol. Process,. 2007, 21, 2745-2759.
3. Nandalal, K D. W,. Use of a hydrodynamic model to forecast floods of Kalu River in Sri Lanka, J, Flood Risk Manage., 2009, 2, 151-158.
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59259
Title: Effect of record length and recent past events on extreme precipitation analysis.
Author: R S Jagtap.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 698-707, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Extreme precipitation analysis, generalized extreme value model, hydraulic structures, return level, return period.
Abstract: Risk of possible damage to important hydraulic structures needs to be kept at the minimum by suitably modelling environmental parameters like rainfall for extreme values of desired return period. Efficient estimation of such meteorological extremes depends on the historical records available at the site of interest. Each of the sampled data is essentially a signal from the natural system and in any statistical analysis uncertainity about the underlying phenomenon gets reduced with increase in the record length. In this article, the effect of record length on the extreme value estimates of daily rainfall at Colaba and Santacruz using theoretically appropriate generalized extreme value (GEV) model has been analysed. The study indicates that estimates for different return periods gets stabilized with the increase in the length of record. Data analysis-based recent past records at Colaba give comparatively higher estimates which can possibly be the attributed to increased variation and observance of more number of extreme events during the recent more number of extreme events during the recent past. The heavy rainfall of 944.2 mm recorded at Santacruz on 26 July 2005 has shown an extraordinary effect on extreme value estimates. A possibility of temporal dependence in the series requires further studies by parameterization of trend in the GEV model.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: 1. AERB, Extreme values of meteorological parameters, AERB Safety Guide No. AERB/NF/SG/S-3, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Government of India, Mumbai, 2008.
2. Francis, T., Sanderson, M., Dent, J. and Perry, M,. Extreme precipitation analysis at Hinkley Point. Met Oddice, UK 2010.
3. Papalexiou, S.M, and Koutsoyiannis, D., Battle of extreme value distributions: a global survey on extreme daily rainfall, Water Resource, Res., 2013, 49(1), 187-201.
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59258
Title: Excessively large-scale slumping of Sajnekhalli creek banks in the Sundarban delta mangrove complex: a consequence of rising sea.
Author: Chandreyee De.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 1800
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 679-680, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Slumping, Sajnekhalli creek banks, Sundarban delta mangrove, rising sea.
Abstract: Recent rise in sea level at alarming rates (0.9-2.4 mm/year) is a matter of serious global concern in general and for a country like India in particular with about 5700 km of coastline. The devastating effects of rising sea level on coastal environments and ecosytems have already enforced several mitigation measures like doubling the height of coastal barrier in the Netherlands and shifting of human settlements away from the eastern coastal plains of northern America, and have also initiated prioritized research studies across the globe.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Nils-Axel, M., Global Planet. Change, 2004, 40 (1-2) 49-54.
Duncan, M F., Michael, S F., Britt A A. and Ilya, V. B., Coastal impacts due to sea-level rise, 2012; https://darchive.mblwholibrary.org.
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59257
Title: Impact of Prosopis juliflora on nesting success of breeding wetland birds at Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary, South India.
Author: S Chandrasekaran, K Saraswathy, S Sarvanan, N Kamaladhasan, N Arun Nagendran.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 676-678, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Prosopis juliflora, breeding wetland birds, Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary, South India.
Abstract: Influence of exotic plant invasions on the structure and functional attributes of native ecosystems has been extensively documented and debated. The complex interactions of invasive species with native ecosystems make invasion ecology and an interesting and important area of research. Prosopis juligflora (family Mimosoideae) native to South and Central America was introduced in India to meet the fuel-wood requirements of the rural poor and to restore degraded lands.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Elton, C S, The Ecology of Invasions by Animals and Plants, Methuen, London. 1958
Chandrasekaran, S. and Swamy, P S Agric. Ecosystem. Environment 2002, 88, 61-71.
Wardle, D A., Bardgett, R D., Callaway, R M. and Van der Putten, W H,. Science., 2011, 332, 1273-1277.
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59256
Title: Lichen colonization on nylon net houses in Surya-kunj Nature Interpretation site, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand.
Author: Yogesh Joshi, Geetanjali Bhakuni, Deepa Bisht, Manish Tripathi, Kapil Bisht, Shashi Upadhyay, Krishna Chandra, Ranbeer S Rawal.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 673-675, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Lichen colonization, nylon net houses, Surya-kunj, Nature Interpretation site, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand.
Abstract: The Surya-Kunj Nature Interpretation and Learning Centre (NILC) of G B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora Uttarakhand, represents and ex situ conservation site for representative Himalayan flora. The site is spread over an area of about 27 ha, and ranges between 1100 and 1250 m elevation. Over the last 25 years or so, Surya-Kunj has come up as an excellent site showcasing the potential of ex situ mechanisms for: (i) conservation of floristic diversity, (ii) restoration of degraded hill slopes and (iii) availability of new habitats that have helped in natural establishment of various floral and faunal groups.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Lucking, R, Lichenologist, 1998, 30, 287-301.
Lucking, R. and Lucking, A. B, Ecotropica, 2002, 8, 1-13.
Upreti D K, and Dixit, A.. Br, Lichen Soc. Bull., 2002, 8, 1-13.
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59255
Title: What makes Gujarat a hotspot for solar energy investments?
Author: Komalirani Yenneti.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106(no. 5) 665-667, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Guiarat, solar energy, hotspot.
Abstract: With over 300 days of sunshine and solar radiation of 5.6-6.0 k Wh/m2/day (refs 1.2), the state of Gujarat has a potential of generating 750 GW from solar energy. To capture this huge potential, in January 2009, the Government of Gujarat (GoG), introduced the ' solar power policy (SPP) 2009 ' as a commitment to climate change initiatives, to address energy security, to support India ' s Naitonal Solar Mission (NSM) and to provide favourable environment for implementation of solar energy.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59254
Title: Need for strengthening mountain specific research.
Author: G C S Negi, R S Rawal, S Sharma, Kireet Kumar, P P Dhyani.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 106 (no.5), 659-661, 2014
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Mountain specific research, global mountains, Himalaya.
Abstract: Among global mountains, Himalaya holds a special position. It is massive, vast, complex and highly variable in space time, and therefore, difficult to understand and characterize even with the best scientific efforts. The situation gets worse when the capacity to undertake research is limited. Remoteness, difficult terrain, lack of resources and poor infrastructure, are some inherent difficulties that hamper the extent and quality of research in the region. More importantly, continous decline in the number of motivated and sincere field researchers is causing a grave situation.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None