Land Resource Cards: An Innovative Approach to Empower Farmers for Site-Specific Farm Resource Management

The paper investigates an innovative extension approach of generation and distribution ofLand Resource Cards, developed from Land Resource Inventory database, used for site-specific farm resource management in watersheds adopted under World Bank funded Sujala-III project. Extent of reach, satisfaction level and training status of Land Resource Cardsin 12 model micro-watersheds located in different agro-climatic regions of Karnataka witha sample size of 720 farmers was assessed. The Land Resource Cards reached only 18 percent of farmers while 22 per cent of farmers were trained for its utilization. However, 77per cent were satisfied with the information provided and 23 per cent suggested for furtherimprovement in cards for greater utility. The overall farmer’s perception on capacity buildingon land resource cards revealed that they were very useful in farm-level resourcemanagement. Hence, need for replication of similar approach in all database drivenwatersheds to be implemented in the future with adoption of modifications is suggested.

Assessment of Available Micronutrients Status in the Soils of Melur Block, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, Using GIS and GPS Techniques

A soil resource inventory was conducted at village level in the Melur block of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu to assess the micronutrients status in the soils and to prepare fertility maps depicting the extent of soil micronutrient deficiency/sufficiency using GIS and GPS techniques. Soil samples were collected at revenue village wise along with geo coordinates and analysed for available micronutrients such as Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn by adopting standard procedures. Based on the nutrient status, the soils were grouped as deficient or sufficient using the critical limits. Per cent deficiency of micronutrients in Melur block was worked out and the thematic maps showing status of different available micronutrients were generated. The results indicated that, Fe and Zn deficiency is most prevalent in the soils of Melur block in Madurai district to an extent of more than 35 per cent, followed by Cu (1.1%) and Mn (10%).

Oxon Run Parkway: Paleontological resource inventory; supplement to the National Capital Parks-East paleontological resource inventory

Oxon Run Parkway (OXRN) is a 51-hectare (126-acre) natural area within Washington, D.C. administered by the National Park Service under National Capital Parks East (NACE). The original plan called for a road, slated to follow Oxon Run stream, but this never came to fruition; despite this, the moniker stuck. The majority of the original Oxon Run Parkway is managed by the District of Columbia. The section of Oxon Run Parkway under NPS jurisdiction contains wetlands and forests, as well as the only McAteean magnolia bogs still remaining in the District. The lower Cretaceous Potomac Group, known as one of the few dinosaur-bearing rock units on the east coast of North America, crops out within Oxon Run. One of the most prevalent fossil-bearing resources are the siderite, or “bog iron” sandstone slabs that sometimes preserve the footprints or trackways of various vertebrates, including dinosaurs. Such trackways have been reported from Potomac Group outcrops throughout the Atlantic Coastal Plain of Maryland and Virginia. In 2019, National Capital Parks-East took possession of such a track, referred to a dinosaur, collected by paleontologist Dr. Peter Kranz. This report was compiled after a paleontological survey of Oxon Run Parkway and is intended as a supplement to the National Capital Parks East Paleontological Resource Inventory (Nelson et al. 2019). This report contains information on the history of Oxon Run Parkway and its geology, as well as discussion of the fossil track.

Land Resource Inventory (LRI) for Sustainable Watershed Development-A Case Study of Bisarahalli-1 Microwatershed of Semiarid Region of Koppal District, Karnataka, India

A land resource inventory (LRI) of Bisarahalli-1 microwatershed was located in the central part of northern Karnataka in semiarid region of Koppal taluk and district. A case study was taken under Sujala III project sponsored by the Watershed Development Department of Karnataka and funded by the World Bank. The analysis and interpretation of the spatial and non-spatial database generated has revealed that most of the areas suffer from major problems. In most of the areas, very gently sloping and alkalinity affected even up to 80% of the microwatershed area followed by gravelly and low available water capacity, thus reducing the production potential and crop choices. The soils are either moderately or marginally suited for growing most of the agricultural and horticultural crops. By interfacing land resource data with Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS, different management scenarios were analysed to arrive at the best management alternatives (optimum land use plans) that would be most suitable. This data handling system will be useful for making land use decisions and providing proactive advice to farmers on a real time basis protecting the health of natural resources.

Updated Inventory and Projected Requirements for Specialist Physicians in Geriatrics

Background The predicted growth of Canadians aged 65+ and the resultant rise in the demand for specialized geriatric services (SGS) requires physician resource planning. We updated the 2011 Canadian Geriatrics Society physician resource inventory and created projections for 2025 and 2030. Methods The number and full-time equivalents (FTEs) of geriatri­cians and Care of the Elderly (COE) physicians working in SGS were determined. FTE counts for 2025 and 2030 were estimated by accounting for retirements and trainees. A ratio of 1.25/10,000 population 65+ was used to predict physician resource requirements. Results Between 2011 and 2019 the number of geriatricians and COE physicians increased from 276 (235.8 FTEs) and 128 (89.9 FTEs), respectively, to 376 (319.6 FTEs) and 354 (115.5 FTEs). This increase did not keep pace with the 65+ population growth. The current gap between supply and need is expected to increase. Discussion The physician supply gap is projected to widen in 2025 and 2030. Increased recruitment and interdisciplinary team-based care, supported by enhanced funding models, and full integra­tion of COE physicians in SGS could reduce this increasing gap. In contrast to pediatrician supply in Canada, the specialist physician resources available to the population 65+ reflect a disparity.