Patterns of carbon sequestration in forests of western ghats and study of applicability of remote sensing in generating carbon credits through afforestation/reforestation

Satellite remote sensing is a proven tool for mapping landuse patterns and estimating vegetation biomass/carbon. Present study aims at estimating the potential of forests of Radhanagari WLS (Western Ghats, India) to sequester the atmospheric carbon-di-oxide, using ground based observations coupled with satellite remote sensing. The study area was stratified for dominant forest types based on the structure and composition of vegetation and elevation variations. Permanent sample plots were laid down in these homogeneous vegetation strata (HVS) to make different observations during time 1 and time 2. Carbon sequestration by plantations was also studied and compared with natural forests. Species and area-specific biomass equations were used for estimating carbon pool and sequestration. Among natural forests ‘mixed moist deciduous’ forests exhibited highest sequestration rate (8%), whereas, plantation as obvious had a comparatively higher sequestration rate than natural forests (20.27%). Total carbon sequestration by forests of the Radhanagari WLS between 2004 and 2006 is 78742.09 tons. Eligible land for reforestation activity under clean development mechanism (CDM) of Kyoto Protocol was identified using satellite remote sensing using 1989 and 2005 datasets and it was observed that the potential land that can be used for reforestation activity is 10080 ha.     

Estimation of proportions of lithotypes using auxiliary information

The problem of estimating the proportion of lithological (ore) types in volumes of mineral deposits is considered when an auxiliary variable Z(z) is observed along with the lithology L(x) at x. The process {Z(x)} is assumed to be stationary and an assumption on the statistical relationship between {Z(x)} and {L(x)} processes is made. Consequently, the second-order stationarity of {L(x)} is not required. A method using the kriged distribution of the auxiliary variable is proposed. A case study illustrating the procedure is given.     

Geography of advice seeking

Despite limited research on access to advice services, it has long been assumed that access is related to geographic proximity [e.g. Blacksell, M., 1990. Social Justice and access to legal services: a geographic perspective. Geoforum 21 (4), 489–502]. The current study uses data from the English and Welsh Civil and Social Justice Survey, a large-scale nationally representative survey of respondents’ experience of and response to civil and social justice problems [Pleasence, P., 2006. Causes of Action: Civil Law and Social Justice, second ed. TSO, Norwich], to examine the impact of proximity to mainstream advice services on awareness and utilisation of services. In general, proximity of advice services had a relatively modest impact on both awareness and advice seeking. However, proximity did impact upon mode of contact and there was some evidence of difference in strategy (particularly more inaction) for isolated individuals without use of motorised transport. The suitability of different modes of advice provision for particular demographic groups are discussed, as well as implications for service delivery.     

Performance Analysis of Piezo-Ceramic Elements in Soils

The application of piezo-ceramic elements for measuring shear and compression wave velocities in the soil mass is increasing day-by-day. Depending upon the configuration and polarity, these elements can either be used as benders or extenders, which can transmit and receive shear and compression waves, respectively. Though, several researchers have successfully employed these elements for characterizing the soil mass based on the shear and compression wave velocities, determination of the “time lag” between the input and output waves remains debatable. Even, the existing literature does not clearly present the response of these elements with respect to the frequency of excitation and the type of the material to be characterized. With this in view, extensive investigations were made to capture the performance of piezo-ceramic elements by changing their (a) wiring configuration (i.e., series or parallel) and (b) polarization (i.e., same or opposite) in the compacted soils of different characteristics (i.e., moisture content, dry density and type of the soil). Details of the methodology are presented in this paper and special attention has been paid to address various problems (i.e., wave attenuation, crosstalk phenomena, near field effect and overshooting of transmitting waves) that are associated with signal interpretation and may yield misleading results.     

Characteristics of low latitude ionospheric E-region irregularities linked with daytime VHF scintillations measured from Varanasi

VHF amplitude scintillations recorded during the daytime period from January 1991 to December 1993, April 1998 to December 1999 and January 2008 to December 2008 at low latitude station Varanasi (geographic lat. = 25°15′N; long. = 82°59′E; geomagnetic lat. = 14°55′N, long. = 154°E, dip angle = 37.3°, sub-ionospheric dip = 34°) have been analyzed to study the behaviour of ionospheric E-region irregularities during the active solar and magnetic periods. The autocorrelation functions, power spectral densities, signal de-correlation times are computed to study the temporal features of ionospheric E-region irregularities linked with daytime scintillations. Derived spectral index ranges between −2 and −9. Assuming velocity of irregularities, the characteristic lengths of the E-region irregularities are estimated. We have estimated the minimum and maximum range of scale length of sporadic-E (E _s ) irregularities to be observed over Varanasi. These results are in close agreement with those reported from this latitude region.     

Estimating net primary productivity in tropical forest plantations in India using satellite-driven ecosystem model

Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is a significant biophysical vegetation variable to understand the spatio-temporal distribution of carbon and source-sink nature of the ecosystem. This study was carried out in a forest plantation area and aimed to (i) estimate the spatio-temporal patterns of NPP during 2009 and 2010 using Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach [CASA] model and (ii) study the effects of climate variables on the NPP using generalized linear modelling (GLM) approach. The total annual NPP varied from 157.21 to 1030.89 gC m^?2 yr^?1 for the year 2009 and from 154.36 to 1124.85 g C m^?2 yr^?1 for the year 2010. The annual NPP was assessed across four major plantation types, where maximum NPP gain (106 and 139 g C m^?2 yr^?1 ) in October was noticed in teak (Tectona grandis) and minimum (77 and 109 g C m^?2 yr^?1 ) in eucalyptus (Eucalyptus hybrid) during 2009 and 2010.The validation, using field-estimated NPP, showed under-estimation of modelled NPP, with maximum MAPE of 34% for eucalyptus and minimum of 13% for teak. The dominant influence of precipitation on the NPP was revealed by GLM explaining more than 20% of variation. CASA model efficiently estimated the annual NPP of plantations. The accuracy could be improved further with inclusion of higher resolution data.     

The vorticity axis flip and its control on mineralization

This paper discusses the possible role of vorticity axis flip in controlling fluid flow and consequent development of hydrothermal deposits. Structural, kinematic and vorticity data from the vicinity of the Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) are used to propose a two stage model to explain hydrothermal mineralization. It is suggested that in the initial stage, fractures, weak planes, foliations and/or shear zones develop. Fracture permeability is weak at this stage, as a consequence of which fluid pressure builds up. Variation in stress orientation during a later stage of deformation results in enhancement of fracture network, fracture permeability and its anisotropy. If a significant vorticity axis flip accompanies this variation in stress orientation, then it pumps the fluids into the fracture network, thus yielding hydrothermal mineral deposits. In the case of SSZ, the vorticity axis flip is envisaged to have taken place from steeply plunging (anticlockwise) during the early stage, to sub-horizontal during the late stage. The SSZ became a northerly dipping thrust at this late stage and the rotation around the sub-horizontal vorticity axis was such that the rocks comprising the northern block were thrust over southern block (Singhbhum granitoid). According to the author, this vorticity axis flip must have been critical in pumping up the fluids along the SSZ to form quartz veins that host mineral deposits.     

Engineering aspects of obtaining clear seawater from the muddy shores

On some shores the seawater is muddy, contaminated with fine silt and clay in suspension. If it became necessary to use such seawater it would be essential either to resort to filtration or to allow for settling of soil sediments. The present scheme was undertaken with a view to providing clear seawater for experimentation in growing crops and plants with seawater. The system consisted of a filtration unit embedded in the shore over which the tidal water passes. The clear water is run through a conveying assembly and is stored in a sump for end uses. The design, construction materials and construction operation of such a device on coastal sand dunes has been described in detail. The precautions to be taken under such circumstances are also given.     

A deterministic approach for preparation of seismic hazard maps in North East India

A method of seismic zonation based on deterministic modeling of rupture plane is presented in this work. This method is based on the modeling of finite rupture plane along identified lineaments in the region using the semi-empirical technique, of Midorikawa [(1993) Tectonophysics 218:287–295]. The modeling procedure follows ω² scaling law, directivity effects, and other strong motion parameters. The technique of zonation is applied for technoeconomically important NE part of Brahmaputra valley that falls in the seismic gap region of Himalaya. Zonation map prepared for Brahmaputra valley for earthquakes of magnitude M > 6.0 show that approximately 90,000 km² area fall in the highly hazardous zone IV, which covers region that can have peak ground accelerations of order more than 250 cm/s². The zone IV covers the Tezu, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Ziro, North Lakhimpur, Itanagar, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Wokha, Senapati, Imphal, and Kohima regions. The Pasighat, Daring, Basar, and Seppa region belong to zone III with peak ground accelerations of the order 200–250 cm/s². The seismic zonation map obtained from deterministic modeling of the rupture is consistent with the historical seismicity map and it has been found that the epicenter of many moderate and major earthquakes fall in the identified zones.