Avian species distribution in different elevation zone forest (Sal, Pine Mixed And Oak) in nainital district of uttarakhand, India

The present study were made to estimate the avian fauna in terms of species richness and diversity and guild structure in forest habitats of Nainital district of Uttarakhand (350–2.450 m asl; 29° N). Field studies were conducted during January 2007 to December 2008. Total 43, 62 and 42 species were recorded from, Haldwani, Bhowali and Nainital forest habitats. Results indicate the species relationship between Bird species richness (BSR) and elevation sections (forest habitats) was not decline simultaneously along elevation; it shows hump shaped. BSR varied considerably along elevational gradient (43 to 62 species), was highest (62 species) at mid elevation (Mixed pine forest, 1.350–1.700 m asl) and decreased (20 species) at high elevation (Conifer forest, 1900–2450 m asl). It seems that mid altitude bulge is not caused by the presence of a group of mid altitude specialists but rather that there is an overlap in the distribution of low land and high elevation specialists at this altitude. A checklist of 79 avian species has also produced of Nainital district forest habitats. It is suggested that this study provide a base line structure for further study on species distribution in different forest habitats and along different elevation section in Western Himalayas (India).     

Targeting natural products against SARS-CoV-2

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The human coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus; the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)....     

Recent advances in photocatalytic remediation of emerging organic pollutants using semiconducting metal oxides: an overview

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Many untreated and partly treated wastewater from the home and commercial resources is being discharged into the aquatic environment these days, which...     

Performance improvement and advancement studies of mixed-mode solar thermal dryers: a review

Solar thermal dryers are solar-operated gadgets utilized to dehumidify various products, especially food items and rubber sheets. This article provides detailed design, parametric studies, and an in-depth review of mixed-mode solar dryers (MMSD) with a case study of fish drying near coastal lines. Due to several advantages compared to open sun drying and prominent performance index compared to indirect and direct type solar dryers, mixed-mode solar dryers have large adaptability on the field. Moreover, mixed-mode solar thermal dryers with different augmentations are reviewed, for instance, mixed-mode solar dryers with evacuated tube collectors, phase change materials, ultraviolet rays stabilized housing, and dehumidifiers. The case study of fish drying near the coastal line of Gujarat, India has been carried out to study the present scenario of the drying activities. Hence, the objective of this review is to identify the capable mixed-mode solar dryer with heat recovery systems. Substantial reviews within the article suggest an essential need to implement the hybrid mixed-mode solar dryer cum distiller technology for small-scale enterprises that can simultaneously provide potable water near coastal lines along with drying of fishes from the solar dryer. Furthermore, future research demands such hybrid mixed-mode solar drying systems that strongly fulfill the requirements of local communities near coastal lines involved in fish drying activities.

     

Microplastic emissions from household washing machines: preliminary findings from Greater Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastics have been recognized as emerging pollutants with potential ecotoxicological impact. The contribution of washing machine use to...     

The impacts of COVID-19 on the environmental sustainability: a perspective from the Southeast Asian region

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study examined the impacts of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the environment in the Southeast Asia region using qualitative content...     

Drought stress induced changes in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in genus Avena

Seven species of genus Avena viz., Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Avena brevis, Avena vaviloviana, Avena abyssinica, Avena marocana and Avena sterilis were used to study the impact of drought stress on lipid peroxidation and other antioxidant enzymes. Maximum increase in the catalase activity was recorded in A. vaviloviana (129.97%) followed by A. sativa (122.82%) and A. brevis (83.38%) at vegetative stage; however at flowering stage the maximum increase was reported in A. sativa (25.62%) followed by A. sterilis (20.46%) and A. brevis (18.53%). At vegetative stage drought, maximum increase in peroxidase activity was recorded in A. sativa (122.82%) followed by A. brevis (83.38%) and A. sterilis (49.78%). Flowering stage drought, showed maximum increase in A. Sativa (27.09%) followed by A. marocana (23.50%) and A. sterilis (20.46%). A. sativa and A. sterilis showed stress tolerance at both the stages by accumulating higher percentage of peroxidase followed by A. brevis at vegetative and A. marocana at flowering stage. Level of lipid peroxidation in terms of Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in the leaves when plants were subjected to moisture stress. The rate of increase in lipid peroxidation occurs irrespective of stage however; maximum increase was recorded in A. strigosa at both the stages. Avena species which showed high level of MDA content, indicates more lipid peroxidation and more membrane permeability and are comparatively more susceptible for water stress than those which produce less Malondialdehyde (MDA) content at higher magnitude of water stress such species have better capability for moisture stress tolerance.     

Growth, yield and photosynthesis of Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes hamata under elevated CO2

Plant height, biomass production, assimilatory functions and chlorophyll accumulation of Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes hamata in intercropping systems was influenced significantly under elevated CO2 (600 +/- 50 ppm) in open top chambers (OTCs). The plant height increased by 32.0 and 49.0% over the control in P. maximum and S. hamata respectively in intercropping system under elevated CO2 over open field grown crops (Ca). P. maximum and S. hamata produced 67 and 85% higher fresh and dry biomass respectively under elevated CO2. Rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance increased in both the crop species in intercropping systems under elevated CO2. The canopy photosynthesis (photosynthesis x leaf area index) of these crop species increased significantly under elevated CO2 over the open grown crops. The chlorophyll a and b accumulation were also higher in the leaves of both the crop species as grown in OTC with elevated CO2. The increased chlorophyll content, leaf area index and canopy photosynthesis led to higher growth and biomass production in these crop species under elevated CO2. The total carbon sequestration in crop biomass and soils during the three years was 21.53 Mg C/ha under elevated CO2. The data revealed that P. maximum and S. hamata intercropping system is the potential as a sink for the increasing level of CO2 in the atmosphere in the semi-arid tropics.     

Quantitative Response of Vegetation in Glacial Moraine of Central Himalaya

The snowline in Himalaya is rising ceaselessly due to regional and global climatic change. Upward rising of snowline leads to the formation of moraines. Due to extreme environmental conditions the existing vegetation of the moraine is scanty, rigorous and possesses different ecological adaptation. Ablation zone of the glacier is covered by a thick pile of supra glacial moraines and is characterized by several serrac ice sections, melting into pools of supra glacial lakes because of subsidence and fast degenerating nature of the glacier. Anaphalis triplinervis was observed to have highest importance value in ablation moraine zone. Here the species richness increased remarkably partially due to the invasion of plant species from lower alpine belt. The fresh lateral moraine displays distressed soil features with mosaic type of vegetation. Gaultheria trichophylla is a dominant plant species here and is associated with other stunted and cold resisting species. The old lateral moraine is dominated by Potentilla atrosanguinea with co-dominant species Iris kemaonensis and Danthonia cachemyriana.