scholarly journals Spatio-temporal modelling for the evaluation of an altered Indian saline Ramsar site and its drivers for ecosystem management and restoration

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0248543
Author(s):  
Rajashree Naik ◽  
Laxmikant Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Saline Soil ◽  
Salt Lake ◽  
Ramsar Site ◽  
Barren Land ◽  
Salt Pans ◽  
Salt Crust ◽  
Decadal Scale ◽  
Salt Pan ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Saline lakes occupy 44% and 23% of the volume and area of all lakes that are tending to suffer from extended dryness, reduced hydro period, or complete desiccation by 2025. The current study is conducted on Sambhar Salt Lake, the largest inland saline Ramsar, site of India, contributing to 9.86% of total salt production. The lake is under threat due to illegal salt pan encroachment, losing brine worth 300 million USD. The objective was to identify the key drivers that affect the lake at a landscape level. Geospatial modelling was conducted for 96 years (1963–2059) at a decadal scale, integrating ground data (birds-soil-water). Land Use Land Cover (LULC) classification was conducted using CORONA aerial imagery of 1963, along with Landsat imageries, using supervised classification for 1972, 1981, 1992, 2009, and 2019, and future prediction for 2029, 2039, 2049, and 2059. Further, images were classified into 8 classes that include the Aravali hills, barren land, saline soil, salt crust, salt pans, wetland, settlement, and vegetation. Past trends show a reduction of wetland from 30.7 to 3.4% at a constant rate (4.23%) to saline soil, which subsequently seemed to increase by 9.3%, increasing thereby the barren land by 4.2%; salt pans by 6.6%, and settlement by 1.2% till 2019. Future predictions show loss of 40% wetland and 120% of saline soil and net increase in 30% vegetation, 40% settlement, 10% salt pan, 5% barren land, and a net loss of 20%, each by Aravali hills and salt crust. Additionally, the ground result shows its alteration and reduction of migratory birds from 3 million to 3000. In the light of UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), restoration strategies are suggested; if delayed, more restoration capital may be required than its revenue generation.

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal modelling for the evaluation of an altered Indian saline Ramsar site and its drivers for ecosystem management and restoration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajashree Naik ◽  
L.K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Saline Soil ◽  
Ramsar Site ◽  
State Reduction ◽  
Barren Land ◽  
Water Parameters ◽  
Salt Crust ◽  
Temporal Modelling ◽  
Spatio Temporal

AbstractSaline wetlands are keystone ecosystems in arid and semi-arid landscapes that are currently under severe threat. This study conducted spatio-temporal modelling of the largest saline Ramsar site of India, in Sambhar wetland from 1963-2059. One CORONA aerial photograph of 1963 and Landsat images of 1972, 1981, 1992, 2009, and 2019 were acquired and classified under 8 classes as Aravalli, barren land, saline soil, salt crust, saltpans, waterbody, settlement, and vegetation for spatial modelling integrated with bird census, soil-water parameters, GPS locations, and photographs. Past decadal area statistics state reduction of waterbody from 30.7 to 3.4% at constant rate (4.23%) to saline soil. Saline soil increased from 12.4 to 21.7% and saline soil converted to barren land from 45.4 to 49.6%; saltpans from 7.4 to 14% and settlement from increased 0.1 to 1.3% till 2019. Future predictions hint at a net increase of 20% by wetland, vegetation by 30%, settlement by 40%, saltpan by 10%, barren land by 5%, and net loss of 20%, each by Aravalli and salt crust. The biggest loss of 120% was seen by saline soil converted to barren land. Notably, 40% of the current wetland will be lost by 2059. Additionally, soil-water parameters result state a loss of saline character of wetland ecosystem; subsequently bird statistics indicate a shift in migratory birds disturbing the wetland food web. India has been losing a critical habitat of migratory birds, halophytes, and halophiles, along with livelihood. This study looks to bridge the missing link from local to global wetland ecological disconnect, providing thereby lake management and restoration strategies.

scholarly journals A Maxent modelling with a geospatial approach for the Habitat suitability of Flamingos in an Evanescing Ramsar site (Sambhar Lake, India) over the changing climatic scenarios

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laxmikant Sharma Kshitij Divyansh ◽  
Alok Raj
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Salt Lake ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Ramsar Site ◽  
Bioclimatic Variables

AbstractWetlands play a crucial role in the biosphere and provide numerous services. They performed multiple functions such as groundwater recharge, water purification, conservation of biological resources, act as a carbon sink and habitat of amphibians and birds. A Ramsar site-the Sambhar Lake is one of the largest inland saline wetland present in the arid region of Rajasthan, India has unique habitat suitability for the winter avifauna migrants like flamingoes and falcons. The occurrence of suitable climatic conditions and food availability like brine shrimps (Artemia salina) attracts flocks of migratory birds. From the last three decades, Sambhar Lake has been continuously facing degradation due to anthropogenic activities, which disturb Lake’s natural ecology and existence. These cause disturbances in habitat suitability of migratory birds in the Sambhar Lake, which leads to a reduction of population density of migratory birds. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the degradation and vulnerability of Sambhar Lake and the habitat suitability of migratory birds using Maxent Habitat Suitability model. This model provides a platform to integrate the bird’s occurrence data with the bioclimatic variables using remote sensing and Geographical Information System, and provides bird’s habitat suitability as well as predicts future bird’s occurrence scenarios. Landsat-5 and Sentinel-2 imagery for the year 1996 and 2019 respectively were used in this study. Four indicators such as LULC NDWI, MSI and SABI depicts the environmental condition of the Sambhar Lake. Output form Maxent model reveals that the Sambhar lake area with increasing anthropogenic activities has become unsuitable for flamingos. A remarkable loss of breeding sites of animal, particularly avian fauna (flamingos) is seen in the recent years due to different types of threats posed on the Ramsar site. Increase in Salt crust and Vegetation area from 36.8055 to 123.837 Sq. Km. and 26.5347 to 36.857 Sq. Km. respectively have taken place. While a decrease in saline water area from 88.8309 to 19.3256 Sq. Km has been observed, within the vicinity of Sambhar Lake as clearly shown through LULC map. The future prediction of the distribution of species in the region for the year 2050 shows that the most suitable regions will be near to Jhapok and nearby waters of Salt Lake City as the drains from the city opens in the lake where the flamingoes get Algae in the form of food. Active steps are needed for the lake conservation to reduce the risks of migratory bird’s population.

scholarly journals The first report of ants (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) in salt marshes and salt pans in central parts of Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMMAD REZA MOHSENI ◽  
SHAHROKH PASHAEI RAD
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Salt Lake ◽  
Vegetation Density ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Salt Pans ◽  
Mountain Station ◽  
Physical And Chemical Parameters ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
First Time

The present study was conducted in Salt marshes and Salt pans in central parts of Iran. 121 specimens of ants were collected by trapping and hand during spring, summer and autumn 2017 to 2019. Nine species belong to two subfamilies of Myrmicinae and Formicinae were identified. The vegetation, physical and chemical parameters of soil such as salinity, Ph, and other factors were investigated. Darband Shoor Mountain station with five species had the highest diversity and vegetation density and the lowest salinity of soil (72.14 ds/m) whereas Salt Lake station had only one species, with no vegetation and the highest salinity of soil (153.15 ds/m). Cataglyphis lividus (André, 1881) was the dominant species in all the stations except in Darband Shoor Mountain station. All the species were reported for the first time from salt marshes and salt pans in the central parts of Iran and were approved by Prof. Brian Taylor, in Royal Entomological Society of London, England.

scholarly journals Vegetation–environment relationships of an inland boreal salt pan

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 722-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Burchill ◽  
N. C. Kenkel
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Vegetation Pattern ◽  
Vegetation Composition ◽  
Soil Factors ◽  
Secondary Importance ◽  
Salt Pans ◽  
Salt Pan ◽  
Species Groups

Vegetation composition and community structure of boreal inland salt pans near the shore of Dawson Bay, Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba, were examined. Eight vegetation associations and eight species groups were described from the site. Most of the vegetation associations were dominated by a single graminoid or graminoid-like species. Species composition in the most saline areas was similar to that of prairie salt pans to the south, whereas the vegetation of less saline areas showed affinities to both prairie and boreal forest. Examination of vegetation–environment relationships indicated that soil salinity was the moost important factor determining vegetation pattern. Other soil factors such as nutient levels, bulk density, and percent organic matter were of secondary importance. Species richness increased with decreasing salinity, but trends in Shannon–Weaver diversity and evenness along the salinity gradient were more complex. Despite the salinity gradient being environmentally continuous, strong vegetational discontinuities were noted. It is suggested that these discontinuities arose through interspecific competitive interaction and displacement mediated by differences in the salt tolerance of species. Key words: competition, discontinuity, gradient, halophyte, plant community, salinity.

Study on Corrosion Resistant Performance of Sulfoaluminate Cement

2013 ◽  
Vol 710 ◽  
pp. 362-366
Author(s):  
Hao Yu ◽  
Jian Meng Li ◽  
Huang Xin
Keyword(s):  
Salt Solution ◽  
Saline Soil ◽  
Salt Lake ◽  
Solution Concentration ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Portland Cement Concrete ◽  
Cement Concrete ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Underground Engineering ◽  
High Durability

In the salt lake areas in China, the ordinary cement concrete can be corroded by the salt in the saline soil seriously, and the application of ordinary portland cement concrete in this area is impeded. Therfore, some new cementitious materials which has high durability should be searched in order to be used in the underground engineering in saline soil areas. In this study, the sulfoaluminate cement is immersed into the salt solution that has high concentration Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, and the complex solution of them. The corrosion resistance performance of sulfoaluminate cement against high concentration salt solution is tested. The results indicate that Sulfoaluminate cement has perfect durability against sulfate corrosion whose concentration is in the scope of this test. Sulfoaluminate cement can not be corroded by MgCl2 solution when MgCl2 solution concentration is lower than degree 3; but when the concentration of MgCl2 solution reaches degree 4, MgCl2 solution could corrode the sulfoaluminate cement seriously. The corrosion of the specimens immersed in MgCl2 solution whose concentration is degree 4 is caused by the composite action of Mg2+ and Cl-.

scholarly journals Where in the air? Aerial habitat use of nocturnally migrating birds

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 20160591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle G. Horton ◽  
Benjamin M. Van Doren ◽  
Phillip M. Stepanian ◽  
Andrew Farnsworth ◽  
Jeffrey F. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Migration Activity ◽  
Maximum Wind ◽  
Eastern Usa ◽  
Migrant Birds ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Migrating Birds

The lower atmosphere (i.e. aerosphere) is critical habitat for migrant birds. This habitat is vast and little is known about the spatio-temporal patterns of distribution and abundance of migrants in it. Increased human encroachment into the aerosphere makes understanding where and when migratory birds use this airspace a key to reducing human–wildlife conflicts. We use weather surveillance radar to describe large-scale height distributions of nocturnally migrating birds and interpret these distributions as aggregate habitat selection behaviours of individual birds. As such, we detail wind cues that influence selection of flight heights. Using six radars in the eastern USA during the spring (2013–2015) and autumn (2013 and 2014), we found migrants tended to adjust their heights according to favourable wind profit. We found that migrants' flight altitudes correlated most closely with the altitude of maximum wind profit; however, absolute differences in flight heights and height of maximum wind profit were large. Migrants tended to fly slightly higher at inland sites compared with coastal sites during spring, but not during autumn. Migration activity was greater at coastal sites during autumn, but not during spring. This characterization of bird migration represents a critical advance in our understanding of migrant distributions in flight and a new window into habitat selection behaviours.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document