P-Band InSAR for Geohazard Detection over Forested Terrains: Preliminary Results

Decorrelation of X, C, and L-band InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) over densely vegetated regions is a common obstacle for detecting ground deformation beneath forest canopies. Using long-wavelength P-band SAR sensors (wavelength of 69.72 cm), which can penetrate through dense forests and collect relatively consistent signals from ground surface, is one potential solution. Here, we experimented using the NASA JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)’s P-band AirMOSS (Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface) radar system to collect repeat-pass P-band SAR data over densely vegetated regions in Oregon and California (USA), and generated by far the first P-band InSAR results to test the capability of P-band InSAR for geohazard detection over forested terrains. Our results show that the AirMOSS P-band InSAR could retain coherence two times as high as the L-band satellite ALOS-2 (Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2) data, and was significantly more effective in discovering localized geohazards that were unseen by the ALOS-2 interferograms over densely vegetated areas. Our results suggest that the airborne P-band InSAR could be a revolutionary tool for studying geohazards under dense forest canopies.

Modelling of Expansion Changes of Vilnius City Area and Impacts on Landscape Patterns Using an Artificial Neural Network

The present study aimed to analyse changes in the land cover of Vilnius city and its surrounding areas and propose a scenario for their future changes using an Artificial Neural Network. The land cover dynamics modelling was based on a multilayer perceptron neural network. Landscape metrics at a class and landscape level were evaluated to determine the amount of changes in the land uses. As the results showed, the Built-up area class increased, while the forest (Semi forest and Dense forest) classes decreased during the period from 1999 to 2019. The predicted scenario showed a considerable increase of about 60 % in the Built-up area until 2039. The vegetation plant areas consist about 47 % of all the area in 2019, but it will be 36 % in 2039, if this trend (urban expansion) continues in the further. The findings further indicated the major urban expansion in the vegetation areas. However, Built-up area would expand over Semi forest land and Dense forest land, with a large part of them changed into built- up areas.

Comparing the Air Turbulence above Smooth and Rough Surfaces in the Amazon Region

The goal of this work is to compare the main air turbulence characteristics of two common areas in the Amazonian landscape: a dense forest (rough surface) and a water surface (smooth surface). Using wind components data collected at high frequency by sonic anemometers located just above these surfaces, turbulence intensity and power spectra, temporal and length scales of the eddies, as well as the main terms of the TKE budget (TKE = turbulent kinetic energy) were evaluated for each surface type. The results showed that in general, the air turbulence intensity above the forest was higher than above the lake during the daytime, due to the high efficiency of the forest in absorbing the momentum of the turbulent flow. During the nighttime, the situation was reversed, with greater air turbulence intensity above the lake, except in some periods in which intermittent turbulence bursts occured above the forest.

Habitat monitoring and conservation prioritization of Western Hoolock Gibbon in upper Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India

The present study aimed at predicting the potential habitat of Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in the upper Brahmaputra River Valley, Assam, India, and identifying priority conservation areas for the species, taking canopy cover into account. We used the maximum entropy algorithm for the prediction of the potential habitat of the gibbon using its current distribution with 19 environmental parameters as primary predictors. Spatio-temporal analyses of the habitat were carried out using satellite-based remote sensing and GIS techniques for two decades (1998–2018) along with Terra Modis Vegetation Continuous Field product to examine land use land cover (LULC), habitat fragmentation, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and tree cover percentage of the study area. To identify the conservation priority area, we applied a cost-effective decision-making analysis using systematic conservation prioritization in R programming. The model predicted an area of 6025 km2 under high potential habitat, a major part of which was found to overlap with dense forest (80%), followed by moderately open forest (74%) and open forest (66%). The LULC change matrix showed a reduction of forest area in the predicted high potential habitat during the study period, while agricultural class showed an increasing trend. The fragmentation analysis indicated that the number of patches and patch density increased from 2008 to 2018 in the ‘very dense’ and ‘dense’ canopy regions of the gibbon habitat. Based on the conservation priority analysis, a 640 km2 area has been proposed to conserve a minimum of 10% of gibbon habitat. The current analysis revealed that in the upper Brahmaputra Valley most areas under dense forest and dense canopy have remained intact over the last two decades, at least within the high potential habitat zone of gibbons independent of the degree of area change in forest, agriculture and plantation.

Exploratory Study on Suitable Horticulture Trees for Building Sufficiency of Fruits and Nuts from New Transformation of Forestry-Horticulture

A new transformation for enhancing utility and efficiency of forestry ecosystem and reduction of stress due to resting sole reliance on arable ecosystem for livelihood was devised. This endeavor reached to a new transformation from forestry to Forestry- Horticulture so as to enable acquiring fruits and nuts, highly effectively useful in bringing feel good and wellness, foster of good health and wealth for nations, under changing climate. Reviw and connaissance survey of suitable horticultural trees which bear fruits and nuts and not get damaged by birds, monkeys and ground moving wild animals were searched coveing India from it boundary in North to South and from West to East. There occurred plentiful fruits and nut trees, bushes and herbs, which will easily grow at sites in forest where no trees existed. The statistics of forestry revealed that mere 2.7 percent of geographical area occuring under forest (21.338%), is dense forest having vegetation cover density of 70% or more and remaing areas under forest have moderate to low vegetation covearage. This new transformation will quickly enhance forest cover, induce carbon sequestration, produce woods of different qualities and additionally produce fruits, nuts, gums and resins and many useful produces such as leaves, herbs, honey etc. These products will be available locally as all states have their own forests and produce commodities for business and trades with huge employment generations in process from production to consumption. This new bio based transformation is implementable, without creating any disparity or grudge and bringing a plausible livelihood from stressful situation occurring due to global warming and climate change.

Impact of health in Economic Development of Chhattisgarh State

In the 21st century, world is heading towards development in different dimensions, especially in the field of Science and technology. In the run of development, standard of living also changes around the globe. On one hand human beings enjoy these developments, on other hand they actually they pay for it. It is their health. Now a days health is going to be a serious issue all over the globe to worry. Basically, it effects under developed and developing countries a lot. Recently many researches show that technological development and globalization also shares ample of health problems to its citizens. Some are incurable and new kinds of diseases came to light which effect the maximum population. These health problems have a great impact on the individuals’ economic condition which ultimately effect the nation’s development. The present research paper is factually a discussion paper, based on secondary data from national and state resources which discusses on the health issue and their impact on economic development of Chhattisgarh state. Chhattisgarh is a state with dense forest cover and many of these areas are conflict-affected, under-served areas are more where doctors are not available to work and lack of adequacy in other staff also. Government has been taking all possible steps to eradicate the problem by implementing health programs and planning. It is an attempt to know the impact of health on economic development, discussion of the problem and its solution as well. This paper analyses current health status affecting economic development of state and its consequences on future which is going to take the shape of a burning issue in the coming future.

Phylogeny of Anisepyris Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae: E pyrinae), with investigation of diagnostic features

A cladistic analysis based on 120 morphological characters and 72 OTUs was conducted for the flat wasp genus Anisepyris Kieffer. The genus is mainly Neotropical region with few Nearctic species. The analysis retrieved well-supported relationships among the Anisepyris species and exposed the distribution of synapomorphies among the lineages, particularly concerning the mandible shape, dorsal pronotal area sulcus, and mesopleural foveae. The main diagnostic characters, described by Barbosa and Azevedo (2018) for the 13 species-groups of Anisepyris, were scrutinized. Transformation series and evolutionary hypotheses were also discussed. This discussion elucidates the importance of each character in the evolution and diversification along the different lineages. A discussion on the species-groups distribution is proposed, in relation to their diagnostic features. A hypothesis about the original distribution and the subsequent diversifications was also discussed. In conclusion, due to a possible recent origin for Anisepyris species, the dispersion could be related primarily to dense forest areas; and the retrieved synapomorphies could be related to posterior distributions of the species in disparate areas from their original environment.

Investigating forest fragmentation through earth observation datasets and metric analysis in the tropical rainforest area

Extensive mining operations, deforestation, jhumming, and soil erosion coupled with population stress in the study area have put an adverse effect on its forest resources. This study investigates the transition in forest cover classes and its fragmentation in the Jaiñtia Hills District of Meghalaya (India). Satellite data (multispectral images from Landsat 5 and 8) for 1995, 2001, 2007, and 2015 were classified using the supervised classification method. Landscape metrics from the classified images were calculated using FRAGSTATS. The overall accuracy of classification was found to be 87.50% (1995), 87.50% (2001), 85.00% (2007) and 91.67% (2015), respectively. The results revealed an increase in dense forest with an increase in the patch number from 1995 to 2007. Additionally, a decrease in non-forest cover with an increase in the number of patches from 2001 to 2015 was observed which further suggests fragmentation. It has been reported that 8.13% of the dense forest increased and 19.47% of non-forested areas decreased during the study period. Overall, this study highlights the changes in the distribution of forest area which could aid policy makers to adopt appropriate forest conservation strategies.