Remote sensing, GIS, and RUSLE in soil loss estimation in the Kulfo river catchment, Rift valley, Southern Ethiopia

Quantification of soil is crucial for maximizing the advantages of land resources while minimizing the negative consequences of land degradation in the long term. It will also make it possible to identify locations that need immediate soil erosion management. The present study was carried out in the Kulfo river catchment, Rift valley, Southern Ethiopia. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) method was utilized to estimate the mean yearly soil loss in the research region using remote sensing, other collateral data. The RUSLE model inputs were mapped and integrated into the ArcGIS software, and the results show that 0 and 1211 t ha−1year−1 are the minima and maximum soil loss in the present study area. Soil erosion-prone regions were divided into three categories: 0-42 t ha−1year−1 (low), 43-128 t ha−1 year−1 (medium), and > 128 t ha−1 year−1 (high). And the average rate of soil erosion is 68.47 t ha−1year−1. Low, medium, and high soil erosion areal extent and area percentages in the current research area is 270 km2 (77 %), 61 km2 (17 %), and 19 km2 (6%), respectively. A high rate of soil erosion was found where high steep slope, barren land, and high precipitation occurred in the present study area. The current study's outcomes were confirmed by comparing soil loss estimates in the same geo-environmental conditions found in Ethiopia's highlands. The outcome of this study is important for decision-makers and policymakers.

Avian Diversity and Bird-Aircraft Strike Problems in Bahir Dar International Airport, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Background Bahir Dar International Airport is known by its rich avifaunal diversity, and bird-aircraft collisions is becoming a serious problem in the area. Study on bird-aircraft strike problems in Bahir Dar International Airport was carried out from February - August 2020. The study area was classified into four habitat types based on its vegetation structures namely: bushland, grassland, wetland, and modified habitat. Point and transect count methods were used to collect data on diversity and abundance of birds. Interviews to people working at the Airport were used to gather information about the incident and prevention of bird-airport strike problems. Shannon-Wiener diversity, Simpson’s similarity indices, ANOVA, and chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Results A total of 80 bird species belonging to 15 orders and 40 families were identified in the present study area. The highest species diversity (H’=3.59) and species evenness (E=0.96) were recorded in the modified habitat during the wet season. The majority of birds in the present study area were uncommon species both during the dry (85.5%) and wet (84.8%) seasons. Birds pose severe threats to aircrafts in Bahir Dar International Airport. Bird-aircraft strike problem has mainly been prevented by expelling of birds using different techniques, which is found to be encouraging from the perspective of conservation of birds. Conclusion Bahir Dar International Airport is rich in its avifauna that requires the Aviation Authority to work in collaborative with different organizations to avoid bird-aircraft strike problems without affecting conservation of birds in the area.

Life near a city: activity pattern of Golden Jackal Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Canidae) in a habitat adjoining Bhubaneswar, India

Activity pattern of the Golden Jackal was studied by camera trapping survey in an urban influenced protected habitat in Odisha, eastern India from January to April 2019. A total of 552 independent photos of Golden Jackals were obtained from 771 trap nights. Although Golden Jackals were active throughout the day, they showed two major peaks in activity; the first peak during late evening after sunset, and the second peak during early morning until sunrise. The reduced activity of Golden Jackal during day time in the present study area might be due to less movement of prey species, intense heat, and heavy human traffic.

Evaluation of Groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation using hydro-chemical process in Bhavani taluk, Erode District, Tamilnadu, India

In most regions of the present study area, Bhavani Taluk, groundwater quality is deteriorating at an alarming rate as a result of anthropogenic activities, however, little attention was given to groundwater quality and management. This research examines the quality of groundwater in Bhavani Taluk, Tamilnadu and compares its suitability for irrigation. The Bhavani region of Erode District, Tamilnadu is the most cultivated, with a considerable use of fertilizers and pesticides. Groundwater quality for irrigation purposes was assessed during the pre-monsoon season by collecting samples from 53 different locations. Physico-chemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, HCO3−, CO32−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+were measured in these groundwater samples. Irrigation quality measures such as salinity hazard, sodium hazard expressed as SAR, percentage of sodium (% Na), and permeability index (PI) were calculated to evaluate groundwater quality for agricultural irrigation. Based on the classification of Electrical conductivity (EC) most of the groundwater samples are falling under the permissible limit. As per the USSL diagram, the large majority of groundwater samples fall within the category of C3-S1 and the water is suitable for irrigation. Piper trilinear diagram interpretations were made to know the chemical type of the groundwaters. The piper diagram indicates that 50% of the groundwater sample were belongs to Mg2+, Ca2+, HCO3−, and Cl−. The groundwater samples fall under Class I category according to Doneen’s Classifications.

Mineral Prospectivity Modeling using AVIRIS-NG VNIR-SWIR data and Gravity data for Gold-Sulphide mineralization in parts of GADAG schist belt, Karnataka, India

<p>Gadag schist belt, India is known for sulphide-gold mineralization. In the study area mineralization is controlled structurally and lithologically. In this context, Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) Visible Near InfraRed (VNIR) - Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) bands were utilized to derive alteration zones and structures present in the study area. Lithological boundaries have also been updated using AVIRIS-NG VNIR-SWIR bands derived images enhancement products i.e. Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) and False Colour Composite (FCC). Further, image spectra of alteration zones (Hydrous mineral etc.) derived from AVIRIS-NG calibrated VNIR-SWIR bands were compared with the standard corresponding reference library spectra (USGS, JPL spectral library). These image spectra have been utilized to demarcate the alteration zones using the Matched Filtering spectral mapping method. Structures were demarcated using high pass (HP) filtered image and FCC images. Low pass (LP) filter image and along with MNF & FCC image composite were utilized to update the lithological boundaries in the study area.</p><p>Ground gravity data has also been processed to derive the subsurface evidences relevant to the deposit in the present study area. Subsurface structures which are responsible for the transportation of mineral rich fluid in the near subsurface are delineated using the gravity data derived products. Apart from this, basement depths are also derived from the gravity data which are being utilized for the validation as well as to further precise the locations of mineral deposits.  These subsurface structures (gravity data), lithology, lineament density and alteration zones are very important evidential layers which have been integrated using fuzzy logic integration techniques to identify potential zones of gold-sulphide mineralization in the present study area. The prospective zones are validated using the secondary data and basement depth derived from the gravity data.</p><p>For similar kind of gold-sulphide mineralization, AVIRIS-NG data and Gravity data can be used to derive the important evidential layers in any part of the world. There are only few studies where such integration approach has been utilized to explore new potential zones of gold sulphide mineralization. </p><p>Keywords: AVIRIS-NG, VNIR-SWIR, alteration, MNF, FCC, Gravity, Basement Depth</p>

Medicinal Plant Resources of Shivamogga, Karnataka

The present study deals with the documentation of aromatic plant resources in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. The peoples of this area have a very good knowledge about the usage of these plants. Elder peoples of this area have common knowledge and easy cure for many common ailments and prepare different types of medicines from different plant parts. India is rich in medicinal and aromatic plants and play an important role in the country's agricultural sector due to quantitative and qualitative advantages. These plants can help small-scale farmers to strengthen their livelihoods and capacity to build successful and sustainable activities. A total of 40 aromatic plant species belonging to 33 genera and distributed over 22 families were recorded in the present study area.

A newly recorded crab-spider genus Misumenoides F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900 (Araneae: Thomisidae) from Khulna, Bangladesh

A study on the crab-spider genus Misumenoides F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900 (Araneae: Thomisidae) was carried out in Khulna, Bangladesh. One species namely – M. deccanes Tikader was recorded for the first time from the present study area. Illustrated description and distribution of the species are provided together with generic diagnosis. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2020, 6(1): 77-82

Area-based speciation kinetic analysis of the multipollutant removal in Constructed Wetlands to enhance its treatment efficiency

In the present study area-based, pollutant removal kinetic analysis was considered using the Zero-order, first-order decay and efficiency loss (EL) models in the constructed wetlands (CWs) for municipal wastewater treatment....

ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY FOR DRINKING PURPOSE IN CHARKHI DADRI BLOCK IN CHARKHI DADRI DISTRICT, HARYANA

Water is important for living organisms on the Earth. Present development activities have put pressure on water resources. Groundwater is under more stress because of high exploitation for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes. In the arid to semi-arid climatic zones groundwater is very important for sustaining day to day activities and agriculture and industrial purposes. The present study area Charkhi Dadri block in Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana was selected to 0 0 study groundwater quality for drinking purpose. The geo-coordinates of the study area are latitudes 28.49 N to 28.70 N 0 0 and longitudes 76.05 E to 76.47 E and covers an area of 396.57 sq. km. In the study area ten groundwater samples were collected in double capped 250 ml plastic bottles. Geo-coordinates of the sample locations were noted using mobile GPS. Chemical analysis of all the ten groundwater samples were done using Tamilnadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD), Chennai prepared Field Water Testing kit for twelve chemical parameters viz. pH, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, total dissolved solids (TDS), fluoride, iron, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate and residual chlorine. Chemical analysis results were entered in excel software and prepared bar graphs. Result of groundwater samples analysis were compared with BIS (IS 10500:2012) drinking water standard to know the suitability of groundwater for drinking purpose. The study shows that pH ranges 7 to 8, alkalinity 200 mg/l to 450 mg/l, hardness 130 mg/l to 800 mg/l, chloride 40 mg/l to 1200 mg/l, TDS 552 mg/l to 2820 mg/l, fluoride 0.5 mg/l to 5 mg/l, iron nil to 0.3 mg/l, ammonia nil to 1 mg/l, nitrite 0.2 mg/l to 1 mg/l, nitrate 45 mg/l to 100 mg/l, phosphate nil in all the ten groundwater samples and residual chlorine nil to 0.2 mg/l. The study is highly useful for planning and monitoring of groundwater for drinking purpose in the study area.

Quantitative ethnomedicinal study of plants used to cure different ailments in Rajaji tiger reserve, Uttarakhand, India

Summary Introduction: India has a rich diversity of ethnomedicinal plants where the preparations from plants are used in treatment of various infection and ailments. Objectives: The detailed survey was done to gather the information about potential preparation of ethno-medicinal plants by the local communities of the study area. Methods: Data on 54 ethnomedicinal plants were recorded with the help of 19 men and 18 women aged between 45 and 60. Direct observation, group discussion and semi structured interview were used to collect the ethnobotanical information of the study area. Results: Prevalent ethnomedicinal uses of the plants were used for treating diarrhoea, asthma, dysentery, and other human ailments. The most commonly plant parts gathered were leaves (28.78 %) followed by bark (19.69 %), root (12.12 %), flower (10.60 %), fruit (9.09 %), seed and whole plant (7.57 % each), stem (4.54 %). It was observed from the investigation that the ethnomedicinal plants used most frequently in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery (29 taxa) followed by other liver problems (7 taxa), healing cut and wounds, tooth problems, blood dysentery, piles, asthma, fractured bones, scorpion/insects bite (2 taxa), skin diseases, urinary disorder and headache, menstrual disorder, infertility, stone problems, cold and cough, muscle pain and swelling, memory enhancer, killing of liver worms in children, insects repellent, bronchial catarrh (1 taxa each). Conclusion: The folk knowledge and ethnomedicinal preparation recorded in the present study area can be implemented in future for pharmacological and biological assay which could be further lead to new drug development.