The hydrology of three high-altitude forests in Central Himalaya,India: a reconnaissance study

In this preliminary study the partitioning of rain-water into various components of the hydrological cycle in three high-altitude forests of contrasting tree physiognomies (namely, Aesculus indica, Quercus semecarpifolia and Abies pindrow) were studied in the Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve, Central Himalaya, India. The results are compared with the hydrological characteristics of low-altitude forests of this region. The study has indicated a significant role of tree physiognomy with regard to rainfall partitioning into the various components of the hydrological cycle. It is suggested that A. pindrow (an evergreen tree) should be considered superior to A. indica (a deciduous tree) with regard to soil and water conservation in this region. This work is of relevance to land management programmes pertaining to afforestation, logging and regeneration. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hyper-spectral data based investigations for snow wetness mapping

Spatial information on snow wetness content (SWC) is important for hydrology, climatology applications. Limited work is available on estimation of SWC using optical sensors. In present work, spectral signature characteristics of snow (~145 samples) acquired in winters of three years, using field spectral-radiometer (350–2500 nm) were correlated with synchronized SWC measurements. Correlation is found stronger in Near-Infra-Red (NIR) and Short-Wave-Infrared (SWIR) regions than Visible (VIS). Spectral peak width at 905 and 1240 nm is found negatively correlated with SWC, while positively correlated at 1025 nm. Asymmetry tends towards right as SWC increases and has stable positive correlations as compared to other characteristics. Sensitivity of widely used snow-related indices to SWC is also analyzed. Based on analysis, new ratio method at selected wavelengths is proposed to discriminate dry and wet snow zones using air/ground borne sensors. Proposed methodology is evaluated on air-borne hyper-spectral (AVIRIS-NG) data and 88% overall accuracy with kappa coefficient 77.6 observed after validation with reference observations.     

Climate change impact in the Western Himalaya: people’s perception and adaptive strategies

The Himalaya represents a vast mountain system and globally valued for its significant role in regulation of global as well as regional climate that has direct impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services crucial for sustenance of millions of people in Himalaya and adjoining areas. However, mountain regions worldwide are impacted by climate change and at the same time represent distinctive area for the assessment of climate related impacts. Climate change impacts in Himalayan region have its implications on food production, natural ecosystems, retreat of glacier, water supply, human and animal health and overall human well being. The livelihood and food security of the people inhabited in region largely depend on climate sensitive sectors i.e. agriculture, livestock, forestry and their interlinkages with each other, and has the potential to break down food and nutritional security as well as livelihood support systems. People’s perception and understanding of climate can be an important asset when it comes to adaptation to climate change impact; however it is not taken into consideration for the development of policy design and implementation of modern mitigation and adaptation strategies by governments and other civil society organizations. The knowledge of local people and farming communities for rural landscape management and sustainable use of bioresources is gaining credence as a key strategy to cope up with the climate change. Therefore, the present study analyzes the indigenous knowledge of local people and their perceptions on climate change, and also documented adaptation approaches at local level in mountain ecosystem of western Himalaya. The study could be useful to policy makers to design appropriate adaptation strategies to cope up with the impacts of climate change.     

Stability assessment of jointed rock slope with different crack infillings under various thermomechanical loadings

Thermoelastic deformation of rock significantly affects the stability of rock slope because thermoelastic strains may cause fracture propagation under favorable condition of failure. Rock slope stability depends on the balance between shear stress and shear resistance along the plane of weakness. Due to warming of rock slopes by heat transfer phenomena, viz. conduction and convection, considerable change in induced stresses (normal and shear) and resistance takes place which further causes instability in rock slope. In this paper, a two-dimensional finite element model has been used to simulate the stability of jointed rock slope containing crack in its upper surface. Four different cases have been simulated on the basis of infilling material (air, water, ice, water and ice) in the crack. Stability of rock slope is examined in terms of shear displacement and factor of safety for different thermal conditions of slope surface. A comparative study has been done for the four cases of infilling material in the crack. The various affecting parameters, viz. shear displacement, factor of safety, shear strength along the joint, and different surface temperature conditions, are illustrated by means of graphs. It has been found that the values of horizontal and vertical displacements are in the range of millimeters. The maximum values of horizontal and vertical displacements are 2.17 mm. Moreover, the maximum values of vertical compressive and tensile stresses are 15.4 MPa and 4.45 MPa respectively for the said four cases. According to the infilling material in the crack, the stability of the rock slope for the given geometry of slope is found in the following order: crack filled with ice < crack filled with ice and water < crack filled with water < empty crack. Validations of numerical results have been done from previous studies, and it has been found that the trends of normal stress, shear strength, and shear displacement along the joint are well matched.     

Effect of anisotropy and inhomogeneity on Love wave dispersion

Summary An analysis is carried out of the Love wave propagation in a system consisting of an anisotropic, inhomogeneous layer bounded on either side by homogeneous, isotropic solid halfspaces. The period equation is obtained, which incorporates in it the effects of a typical variation of directional rigidities and density in the layer on dispersive properties of the Love waves. The conditions for the existence of the real roots of the frequency equation is brought out in the form of limits on phase velocity values. Corresponding to these values, the frequency equation is discussed in different wave length ranges. Numerical computation is done to analyse the variation of (i) Phase and Group velocity and (ii) Amplitudes (at different depths), with wave number. Conclusions on the significant results follow in the end.     

Global volcanism, biological mass extinctions and the galactic vertical motion of the solar system

Summary. The recent findings of nearly matching long-term cyclicity in biological mass extinctions, geomagnetic reversals, impact cratering and other terrestrial processes have evoked a major controversy. We report here a compilation and analysis of major global magmatic episodes showing a significant enhancement of volcanic activity with a periodicity of 33 million years for the last 250 million years. These magmatic episodes match extremely well the best available astronomical estimates of the periodic (31 ± 5 Myr) galactic-disc crossing events during vertical motions of the solar system. These events also have a close linkage with the marine biological mass extinctions and other geological rhythms. It is argued that the prolonged volcanic activity, instead of impact cratering, may have been the more immediate primary cause for profound climatic and other environmental deterioration sufficient to create biological crises on a global scale. The volcanic periodicity scheme is well supported by the evidence of recent increases in volcanic activity. However, the alternative hypothesis of the death star 'Nemesis' can be rejected, since it does not explain the recent increase in volcanism and impact cratering during the last 4 ± 3 Myr in view of its quieter apehelion position lying beyond the Oort cloud of comets.     

A matrix method for heat conduction in multi-layered media

Summary A matrix formalism is developed to facilitate computation of temperature distribution in the steady state in the interior of a multi-layered earth. The idealized model consists of homogeneous and isotropic layers of constant (but arbitrary) values of heat production as well as thermal conductivities. The known surface data is continued by this method to define the thermal structure at any desired point of the interior for planar and spherical stratification. Extension of the problem to the unsteady flow conditions has been presented.     

MAGSAT data and Curie-depth below Deccan flood basalts (India)

Ground and airborne magnetic data are severely disturbed due to random susceptibility variations in Deccan flood basalts. However, Magnetic Satellite (MAGSAT) data over the Deccan flood basaltic region of the Indian subcontinent exhibit filtering of surficial noise. Three passes over Deccan traps show a low at about 20°N latitude and a high at about 23°N latitude. Spectral analysis of these passes and an available 2-D MAGSAT vertical intensity map indicate a deep (40±4 km) magnetic interface. It is interesting to note that the determination of Curie-depth from MAGSAT matches and confirms the geothermal data model. The estimates correspond to the Moho depth derived from gravity and deep seismic sounding studies. The study suggests a continental shield-like geothermal gradient of about 14°C/km below the area.