scholarly journals Mapping of agro-ecological zones of North-West India in context to climate change using Geographical Information System

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-86
Author(s):  
MOHAN SINGH ◽  
R.K. AGGARWAL
Keyword(s):  
Soil Texture ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Moisture Index ◽  
Humid Zone ◽  
North West ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

A study was conducted to quantify agro-climatic and agro-ecological zones in north-west India using 34 years (1980-1914) weather data of twenty two agro-meteorological stations of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The weather data and the coordinates were converted into decimal system for each meteorological station, for spatial analysis. The map of north-west India was digitized and thermal, humidity, rainfall and moisture index and Length of growing period layers were prepared in the GIS environment using Arc GIS 10.1. These layers were combined by union operation and polygons were grouped into different zones. The moisture index and length of growing period zones were integrated with other spatial input layers of soil texture on logical manner to demarcate different agro-climatic and agro-ecological zones and sub zones. Based on texture the soils of study area were broadly characterized in five classes. North-west India was divided into ten agro-climatic zones as Z-1 to Z-10 and thirty six sub agro-ecological zones which represent homogeneity with respect to climate, growing periods and soil texture, which covers all features of abiotic crop environment. These zones helped to adjust cropping season according to moisture, temperature, vegetations and their combination regime. A shift in climatic belt was observed towards south-west as moist sub humid zone in Haryana which did not exist in old climatic map of Haryana. Itwas a new zone noticed in this state. The south-western limit of dry sub humid zone shifted about 40 km and of semi-arid zone shifted to about 60 km. The study will be very useful in the planning of farming system as well as cropping systems and may fill the gaps in ecological zonation of the area.

scholarly journals Establishing relationship between measured and predicted soil water characteristics using SOILWAT model in three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
OrevaOghene Aliku ◽  
Suarau O. Oshunsanya
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Irrigation Planning ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Water Characteristics ◽  
Permanent Wilting Point ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Wilting Point ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Abstract. Soil available water (SAW) affects soil nutrients availability and consequently affects crop performance. However, field determination of SAW for effective irrigated farming is laborious, time consuming and expensive. Therefore, experiments were initiated at three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria to compare the measured laboratory and predicted soil available water using SOILWAT model for sustainable irrigated farming. One hundred and eighty soil samples were collected from the three agro-ecological zones (Savannah, Derived savannah and rainforest) of Nigeria and analysed for physical and chemical properties. Soil texture and salinity were imputed into SOILWAT model (version 6.1.52) to predict soil physical properties for the three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Measured and predicted values of field capacity, permanent wilting point and soil available water were compared using T-test. Predicted soil textural classes by SOILWAT model were similar to the measured laboratory textural classes for savannah, derived savannah and rainforest zones. However, bulk density, maximum water holding capacity, permanent wilting point and soil available water were poorly predicted as significant (p < 0.05) differences existed between measured and predicted values. Therefore, SOILWAT model could be adopted for predicting soil texture for savannah, derived savannah and rainforest zones of Nigeria. However, the model needs to be upgraded in order to accurately predict soil water characteristics of the aforementioned locations for sustainable irrigation planning.

scholarly journals Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and Coping Strategies across Gender in Two Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
FO Issa ◽  
BE Tologbonse ◽  
R Olaleye ◽  
OM Tologbonse ◽  
JH Kagbu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
North Central ◽  
North West ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

This study examined farmers’ perception of climate change and coping strategies across gender in two agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Two agro-ecological zones namely north-central and north-west were purposively selected and one State Agricultural Development Project each namely Niger and Kaduna were selected repectively. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 140 respondents. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Personal experience was the most prominent means through which females (35.7%) and males (38.6%) became aware of climate change. Majority of the females (85.7%) and males (74.3%) in the north-central zone , started to notice the effect of climate change only about 1-5years ago. About 89% of males and 82% of females opined that yearly rainfull begins late. About 97% of the female and 99% of the males were of the opinion that there had been gradual reduction of vegetation cover. General perception by both females (mean=3.2) and males (mean=3.2) was that climate change reduces the yield of crops, increase the cost of crop production and reduces the productivity of livestock and also time spent by the females to look for water for domestic use had increased. Chi-square analysis indicated positive and significant relationship between perception of climate change and farm size (X2 = 4.1; p<0.05) in north- central and farming experience (X2 = 7.3; p<0.05) in north west zone. The results of t-test analysis showed significant difference between how the females and males perceived the effect of climate change with regards to rainfall ending early (t(138)=2.5; p<0.05) and time spent to look for water for cooking food has increased(t(138)=2.2;p<0.05). A multi-media enlightenment campagn of the effects and posssible coping strategies of climate change should be adopted by all tiers of government and NGOs to reach the farmers using available extension structure on ground. Also, farming communities can run local disaster risk committees to encourage local adaptation measures as survival tactics for the purpose of ensuring food security.Key Words: Gender, Farmers Perception, Coping strategies, Climate Change, Agro-ecological Zone

Differential Adaptation Strategies By Agro-Ecological Zones In African Livestock Management

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Niggol Seo ◽  
Robert Mendelsohn ◽  
Ariel Dinar ◽  
Pradeep Kurukulasuriya
Keyword(s):  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Livestock Management ◽  
Differential Adaptation ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

scholarly journals Cost–Benefit Analysis of Municipal Sludge as a Low-Grade Nutrient Source: A Case Study from South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9950
Author(s):  
Eyob Habte Tesfamariam ◽  
Zekarias Mihreteab Ogbazghi ◽  
John George Annandale ◽  
Yemane Gebrehiwot
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Bench Mark ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Municipal Sludge ◽  
Humid Zone

Municipal sludge has economic value as a low-grade fertilizer as it consists of appreciable amounts of the macro and micronutrients. When using sludge as fertilizer, the economic aspect should be taken into account. In this study, the following specific objectives were identified: (a) to investigate the economic feasibility of using sludge as a fertilizer; (b) to estimate the maximum economic distance sludge can be transported as a fertilizer; and (c) to test the economic feasibility of selling sludge using commercial inorganic fertilizer as a bench mark. The study showed that for anaerobically digested, paddy dried, municipal sludge consisting of 3% N, 2% P, and 0.3% K the economic feasibility of transporting the sludge was limited to a diameter of 20 km in the arid zone, 28 km in the semi-arid zone, 51 km in the sub humid zone, 66 km in the humid zone, and 75 km in the super-humid zone. Therefore, the economic feasibility of using sludge as a substitute for or complementary to commercial inorganic fertilizer is dictated by the distance between the wastewater care work and the farm, sludge nutrient concentration, agro-ecological zone (rain and temperature), and the real-time commercial inorganic fertilizer price.

scholarly journals Towards Understanding Variability in Droughts in Response to Extreme Climate Conditions over the Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6910
Author(s):  
Adil Dilawar ◽  
Baozhang Chen ◽  
Arfan Arshad ◽  
Lifeng Guo ◽  
Muhammad Irfan Ehsan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Precipitation Extremes ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Climate Extreme ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Here, we provided a comprehensive analysis of long-term drought and climate extreme patterns in the agro ecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan during 1980–2019. Drought trends were investigated using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at various timescales (SPEI-1, SPEI-3, SPEI-6, and SPEI-12). The results showed that droughts (seasonal and annual) were more persistent and severe in the southern, southwestern, southeastern, and central parts of the region. Drought exacerbated with slopes of −0.02, −0.07, −0.08, −0.01, and −0.02 per year. Drought prevailed in all AEZs in the spring season. The majority of AEZs in Pakistan’s southern, middle, and southwestern regions had experienced substantial warming. The mean annual temperature minimum (Tmin) increased faster than the mean annual temperature maximum (Tmax) in all zones. Precipitation decreased in the southern, northern, central, and southwestern parts of the region. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a robust increase in temperature extremes with a variance of 76% and a decrease in precipitation extremes with a variance of 91% in the region. Temperature and precipitation extremes indices had a strong Pearson correlation with drought events. Higher temperatures resulted in extreme drought (dry conditions), while higher precipitation levels resulted in wetting conditions (no drought) in different AEZs. In most AEZs, drought occurrences were more responsive to precipitation. The current findings are helpful for climate mitigation strategies and specific zonal efforts are needed to alleviate the environmental and societal impacts of drought.

Stock and stability of organic carbon in soils under major agro-ecological zones and cropping systems of sub-tropical India

2021 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 107317
Author(s):  
Nirmalendu Basak ◽  
Biswapati Mandal ◽  
Ashim Datta ◽  
Manik Chandra Kundu ◽  
Arvind Kumar Rai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Diverse symbiovars nodulating Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in highly adaptable agro-ecological zones in Mozambique

2021 ◽  
pp. 126220
Author(s):  
Margarida G. Simbine ◽  
Sanjay K Jaiswal ◽  
Felix D. Dakora
Keyword(s):  
Vigna Unguiculata ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

scholarly journals Detection of heat pumps from smart meter and open data

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Weigert ◽  
Konstantin Hopf ◽  
Nicolai Weinig ◽  
Thorsten Staake
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Smart Meters ◽  
Ground Truth Data ◽  
Thermal Reservoir ◽  
Grid Operators

Abstract Heat pumps embody solutions that heat or cool buildings effectively and sustainably, with zero emissions at the place of installation. As they pose significant load on the power grid, knowledge on their existence is crucial for grid operators, e.g., to forecast load and to plan grid operation. Further details, like the thermal reservoir (ground or air source) or the age of a heat pump installation renders energy-related services possible that utility companies can offer in the future (e.g., detecting wrongly calibrated installations, household energy efficiency checks). This study investigates the prediction of heat pump installations, their thermal reservoir and age. For this, we obtained a dataset with 397 households in Switzerland, all equipped with smart meters, collected ground truth data on installed heat pumps and enriched this data with weather data and geographical information. Our investigation replicates the state of the art in the area of heat pump detection and goes beyond it, as we obtain three major findings: First, machine learning can detect the existence of heat pumps with an AUC performance metric of 0.82, their heat reservoir with an AUC of 0.86, and their age with an AUC of 0.73. Second, heat pump existence can be better detected using data during the heating period than during summer. Third the number of training samples to detect the existence of heat pumps must not be necessarily large in terms of the number of training instances and observation period.

scholarly journals Comparative Experimental Effects of Intercropping and Cypermethrin on Insect Pest Infestation and Yield of Maize, Cowpea and Okra in Two Cameroonian Agro-Ecological Zones

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-393
Author(s):  
Patient Farsia Djidjonri ◽  
Nukenine Elias Nchiwan ◽  
Hartmut Koehler
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Pest Infestation ◽  
Final Yield ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

The present study investigates the effect of intercropping (maize-cowpea, maize-okra, maize-okra-cowpea, okra-cowpea) compared to insecticide application on the level of infestation of insect pests and the final yield of maize, cowpea and okra. Field experiments were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the Guinean Savannah (Dang-Ngaoundere) and Sudano Sahelian (Gouna-Garoua) agro-ecological zones in Cameroon. Our experimental design was a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block with four replications. The main factor was assigned to the use of insecticide (Cypermethrin) and sub plots were devoted for cropping systems. We compared the efficiency of intercropping to that of Cypermethrin application on the Yield of maize, cowpea and okra as influenced by insect pest damages. The comparison of monocropped sprayed by Cypermethrin to unsprayed showed that, in Dang, insect pests reduced maize yield by 37% and 24% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was lower than 8% during the both years. Reduction in seed yield by insect pests on cowpea in Dang represented 47% and 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was 55% and 63% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. For okra, insect pests reduced okra fruit yield by 25% and 44% in Dang and 23% and 28% in Gouna, respectively, in 2016 and 2017. Crop yield was lower in intercropping compared to monoculture due to competition of plants in association on different resources. Considering the total yields obtained from each intercropping, intercropping trials resulted generally in higher yields compared to mono-culture (LER > 1) in both sites and years but the respective yields were quite different. On the basis of the results obtained, we recommend maize-cowpea intercropping as a sustainable solution to reduce the infestation level of their pest insects.

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