scholarly journals Dayara bugyal restoration model in the alpine and subalpine region of the Central Himalaya: a step toward minimizing the impacts

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal ◽  
Priyanka Maiti ◽  
Sandeep Kumar ◽  
Anand Kumar ◽  
Nisha Bisht ◽  
...  

AbstractEco-restoration initiative work in the high altitude Dayara pastureland (3501 m) from the Indian Himalayan Region has been considered to be one of the successful field demonstration against both natural and anthropogenic degradation. The present study therefore attempts to assess the implications of entire eco-restoration model as practiced by Department of Forest, Government of Uttarakhand in 2019. Its assessment was done by calculating restoration success index by way of considering three categories, viz., direct management measure (M), environmental desirability (E) and socio-economic feasibility (SE) considering 22 individual variables. ‘M’ comprised both biotic and abiotic pressures. Grazing and tourism were biotic, while abiotic pressure was considered mainly soil erosion in alpine area due to topographic fragility. Above ground vegetation profile and below ground soil nutrient profile (N, P, K, pH and water holding capacity) were analyzed in ‘E’ component. In the last but not least, ‘SE’ was analyzed to assess the social acceptability of the local communities and stakeholders who are supposed to be ultimate beneficiary of alike interventions. Direct management measure was found with the variable index score of 0.8 indicating the higher score as compared to environmental desirability (0.56). Under direct management measure, grazing and tourists’ carrying capacity of the area was analyzed with high management needs to call the region sustainable in terms of availability of bio-resources. The ecosystem index score was evaluated for the reference (81.94), treated (64.5) and untreated zones (52.03), wherein increasing profile of these values were found. The outcomes like improved vegetation profile in terms of total herb density, soil nutrient profile of the restored area along with soil pH (4.96) and water holding capacity (49.85%) were found to be restored significantly along with controlling 169.64 tonne year-1 soil erosion from draining. The assessment of grazing pattern of 118 migratory Cow Unit (CU) (76 horse/mule and 18 sheep/goat, already controlled), 318 local CU (30 horse/mule and 187 sheep/goat) were calculated and recommended to be controlled. Tourists’ carrying capacity of 274 tourists per day and manual removal of Rumex nepalensis at the shepherd camping site were found to be worth to apply in the area. Use of biodegradable but locally sourced material and engaging local villagers in this endeavor were also found to be in harmony with SDG Goal 1 (no poverty). Therefore, the restoration and its evaluation model could have its future prospects to prove as a successful restoration practice. This restoration practice could not only be worth in high altitude degraded alpine pastures of the Indian Himalayan Region but also to other mountain alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ijasini John Tekwa ◽  
Abubakar Musa Kundiri

Soil erosion is a severe degradation phenomena that has since received huge attention among earth scientists in the developed worlds, and same efforts are now extending to Africa and other parts of underdeveloped worlds. This chapter focuses on collation, analyzing and appraising of soil ero¬sion studies around Mubi region, Northeast Nigeria, where the Mandara mountain ranges is notably responsible for spurring soil erosion. This chapter reviewed reports on the: (a) Mubi regional soil properties, erosion processes and principles of their occurrence, (b) soil erosion predictions using empirical and physically-based models by researchers, and, (c) economicimplications and managements of soil erosion in the region. This chapter reveals that classical and rill/ephemeral gully (EG) erosion features received more research attention than surface erosion such as splash and sheet. No information was reported on effects of landslides/slumping noticeable along rivers/stream banks around the region. The few economic analysis reported for soil nutrient and sediments entrained by concentrated flow channels were very high and intolerable to the predominantly peasant farmers in the region. It is hoped that the considerable volumes of erosion researches and recommendations assembled in this chapter shall be carefully implemented by prospective farmers, organizations, and residents in the Mubi region.


1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (4) ◽  
pp. R619-R623
Author(s):  
E. S. Johnson ◽  
C. A. Finch

The treadmill work performance of rats at sea level with normal or elevated hematocrits was compared with that of rats conditioned in a hypobaric chamber at 450 Torr for 3 wk with similar hematocrit adjustments. A mean increase in hematocrit to 62 significantly improved the work performance of rats at sea level and at ambient O2 tensions of 100, 75, and 35 Torr. By contrast, rats conditioned in a hypobaric chamber with mean hematocrits of 40 and 58 performed similarly at all O2 tensions compared with sea-level rats with hematocrits of 43. Thus, although an increase in O2-carrying capacity of the blood of sea-level animals increased work capacity, altitude adaptation did not appear to result in any positive effect on work capacity, and indeed, seemed to interfere with the beneficial effect of polycythemia on maximum work performance.


Physiology ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco C. Villafuerte ◽  
Tatum S Simonson ◽  
Daniela Bermudez ◽  
Fabiola León-Velarde

Erythrocytosis, or increased production of red blood cells, is one of the most well-documented physiological traits that varies within and among in high-altitude populations. Although a modest increase in blood O2-carrying capacity may be beneficial for life in highland environments, erythrocytosis can also become excessive and lead to maladaptive syndromes such as Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS).


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ojashwi Nepal ◽  
BR Pokharel ◽  
K Khanal ◽  
SL Mallik ◽  
BK Kapoor ◽  
...  

Background The oxygen saturation of haemoglobin is reduced in high altitude-living organisms. Increase in the hematocrit is responsible for rise in the hemoglobin concentration so that the oxygen carrying capacity in the hypobaric hypoxic subject is elevated. Objectives To compare two different high altitude populations, in order to study the relationship between arterial oxygen saturation and hematocrit. Methods lIn the cross-sectional study of two populations residing at altitude of 2800 m and 3760 m are compared for the difference in hematocrit. The oxygen carrying capacity of arterial haemoglobin (SaO2) is determined by pulse oximetry. The sample is drawn from the natives of two small villages, Thini at Jomsom (2800 m) and Jharkot (3760 m) in Mustang district of Nepal. The natives at 2800 m are termed as lower high altitude population and local residents at 3760 m are said to be higher altitude population in this study. The sample blood was drawn by venipuncture and packed cell volume was determined by Wintrobe’s method. Results The hematocrit obtained from 3760 m altitude population and the lower high altitude population at altitude of 2800 m differ significantly with the p value < 0.0001and the SaO2 in both the population fails to show any difference with p value > 0.05. Deep breathing exercise in these populations however increased SaO2 significantly. Conclusion The higher altitude natives have greater arterial oxygen saturation than lower altitude population which is due to rise in red cell concentration. The slow deep breathing raises oxygen saturation irrespective of altitude. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | VOL.10 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 39 | JUL- SEP 2012 | Page 30-34 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i3.8014


1996 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 252-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Young ◽  
M. N. Sawka ◽  
S. R. Muza ◽  
R. Boushel ◽  
T. Lyons ◽  
...  

This study investigated whether autologous erythrocyte infusion would ameliorate the decrement in maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) experienced by lowlanders when they ascend to high altitude. VO2max was measured in 16 men (treadmill running) at sea level (SL) and on the 1st (HA1) and 9th (HA9) days of high-altitude (4,300 m) residence. After VO2max was measured at SL, subjects were divided into two matched groups (n = 8). Twenty-four hours before ascent to high altitude, the experimental group received a 700-ml infusion of autologous erythrocytes and saline (42% hematocrit), whereas the control group received only saline. The VO2max of erythrocyte-infused [54 +/- 1 (SE) ml.kg-1.min-1] and control subjects (52 +/- 2 ml.kg-1.min-1) did not differ at SL before infusion. The decrement in VO2max on HA1 did not differ between groups, averaging 26% overall, despite higher (P < 0.01) arterial hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and arterial O2 content in the erythrocyte-infused subjects. By HA9, there were no longer any differences in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, or arterial O2 content between groups. No change in VO2max occurred between HA1 and HA9 for either group. Thus, despite increasing arterial O2-carrying capacity, autologous erythrocyte infusion did not ameliorate the decrement in VO2max at 4,300-m altitude.


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