Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF TREE SPECIES OF KARIAN SHOLA IN PARAMBIKULAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KERALA, SOUTH INDIA
No full textThis paper describes the phytosociological status of tree species of a post climax evergreen forest (Karian Shola) located in the rain shadow region of Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary. Phytosociological data of various type of climax vegetation such as evergreen forest, grass land and savana have been conducted plenty but post climax type forest is scanty. Stratified random sampling method was adopted for vegetation study. Quadrat size was standardized by following species area curve. Roughly about 1.7% of the study area was sampled. A total of 270 species of trees of Girth at Breast Height (GBH) above 15 cm size belonging to 61 families were recorded from the 80 sample plots studied. The total density of tree species is 842/ha and the total number of individuals is 10,772 (14/ha). The mean stand basal area of the tree species is 50.50 m2/ha and the maturity index value is 46.80. Concentration of dominance value is 0.035 and the diversity index value is 4.01. The result of the present study will be demystified the issues prevailed in the use of terminology of forest patch named ‘Karian shola’
ASSESSMENT OF FOREST COVER DEPLETION DUE TO LOGGING IN THE OFFIN RIVER PORTION AND OFFIN SHELTERBELT FOREST RESERVES IN GHANA
No full textThe study was conducted to investigate the extent of forest cover depletion resulting from logging in two forest reserves in Ghana. Seven communities were covered in this study and forest inventory results were analysed. Illegal logging, surface mining, NTFP harvesting and processing, unsustainable agriculture practices were observed to be prevalent in the seven (7) forest dependent communities. Over an eleven (11) year period, a total sum of 21.3% forest loss has been detected in the Offin Shelterbelt and Tano Offin forest reserves. It is anticipated that should current over-exploitation and forest degradation continue in the Offin Shelterbelt forest reserve, the stand density in terms of basal area (m2 ha-1) shall be reduced to less than 5 m2ha-1 threshold in seventeen (17) years. The afore mentioned malpractices has adverse practical implications inclined towards to the decimation of prime species which are valuable genetic resources across various disciplines, with an eventual extinction of these floral lives. The declination of forest cover and bad land use practices in the catchment have impacted negatively on the regularity of the flow and water quality of River Offin on which surrounding communities are heavily dependent on in the cultural proceedings
CONTROL OF THERMAL POWER PLANTS’ EMISSIONS- AN IMPERATIVE FOR THE HEALTH OF NIGERIANS AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT
No full textNigeria as a developing country is witnessing population growth and rapid urbanization. Consequently, the demand for electric power supply and other infrastructures to support the growth is on the increase. In response, many thermal power plants (TPP) that run on liquid and gaseous fossil fuels are widely used in the country. However, the effects of the emissions from these power plants on human health and the environment have become matters of serious concern. High concentrations of various air pollutants have been reported across the country, and evidences of air pollution related morbidities abound. This paper presents the major types of Air pollutants and Greenhouse gases emitted by these units and their adverse impacts on the environment and health of the citizenry. Abatement techniques for some of the major emissions are also highlighted. The monitoring of the level of emissions and their control systems at these thermal power plants is strongly suggested so as to ensure their strict compliance to appropriate Ambient Air Quality Standards. There is urgent need to put in place legislations to enforce air quality standards in Nigeria as well as reduce the indiscriminate use of diesel and petrol generators through adequate public power supply. These will guarantee the health of the citizenry and the safety of the environment
SWOT ANALYSIS OF URBAN WASTE MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF BALANGODA SUBURB
No full textThe main reason for the inability to manage waste in Sri Lankan urban areas is operational failures of responsible local waste management authorities. However, compared to many advanced industrialized countries, very few studies have been carried out to detect the effectiveness of municipal solid waste management procedures in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study by conducting a strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT) analysis, aims to help understand the status quo of urban waste management system in Balangoda suburb, Sri Lanka. The research is performed based on analyzing information obtained from field observations, reports, literature, questionnaire distribution among community and a series of focus interviews with major stakeholders concerned. According to the overall results of SWOT analysis process, established location of the solid waste management centre, regular waste collection, establishment of waste purchasing and recycling centers, conducting strong awareness and training programmes on promoting municipal solid waste management (MSWM), waste taxation and availability of finance could be found by ways of strengths while identifying weaknesses as low management of waste dumping, inefficient food waste sorting, shortcomings in compost manufacturing process, lack of recycling option for lunch sheet issue and failures in sludge fertilizer production. Furthermore, installation of a biogas unit within MSWM centre, introducing five bins for waste separation and obtaining external supports from government and industrial associations recognized as opportunities. Moreover, inadequate attention to promote research on environmental safeguard, nullity of compost standardization and leachate toxification observed under threats. Identified SWOTs could be helpful for any municipality to improve and develop future efficiency level of waste management processes strategically
DUNG AVAILABILITY FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION IN RURAL NEPAL
No full textThe lack of scientific assessments of livestock dung is hindering evaluation of the actual potential of biogas in Nepal and also formulation of effective energy strategies and policies. This study evaluates the potential of biogas production based on cattle and buffalo dung in three topographical regions of Nepal, i.e. mountains, hills, and lowland (Terai). A survey was carried out in 240 livestock-holding households. Data of daily fresh dung yield were obtained from 210 livestock individuals classified into four categories: mature buffalo (> 3 yrs), young buffalo (≤ 3 yrs), mature cattle (> 3 yrs) and young cattle (≤ 3 yrs) for three different seasons (winter, pre-monsoon and monsoon).
As expected, the average daily dung yield per livestock in the monsoon is higher than that of the other seasons for all regions because of higher fodder availability. Despite the highest livestock number per household in the mountains (5.2) as compared to the hills (2.7) and lowland (2.6), the net annual availability of dung in the mountains is only about 30% of that of the other two regions due to the relatively lower availability of fodder there. The analyses reveal that through dung-based biogas production, the annual per capita fuelwood consumption can be reduced by 114 kg DM, 344 kg DM, and 324 kg DM in the mountains, hills and lowland, respectively. The households with biogas plants use only 50% of the net available dung for biogas production, which contributes to about 25% of their total energy consumption. The findings of the study can support implementation of regionally differentiated clean energy policies and programs
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF URBAN WASTEWATER IN ORDER TO ASSESS ITS PERFORMANCE (CASE STUDY: ILAM SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT)
No full textIn this study, the efficiency of wastewater treatment plant of Ilam was investigated in a period of time. In order to measure the pollution indicators such as: temperature, Coliforms, turbidity, pH, COD, BOD, Cl-, TSS, TDS and DO, samples of the effluent sampling were done periodically. The results of this study show that measured values of operating parameters such as: pH, BOD, COD, NTU, DO (with average of: 8.34, 66.45, 106.4, 80.15, 7.4 mg/l) are consistent with EPA\u27s standards in the field of re-use for agricultural purposes and irrigating, However, Chloride parameters and TSS with the averages of 60.7 and 455.7 (mg/l) do not comply. In addition COD, BOD, TSS and Chloride parameter analysis discharging effluent into surface water does not match to EPA\u27s standards. An essential proceeding to reduce parameters, BOD, COD and TSS should be done
DEVELOPING URBAN WATER RESOURCES AND CONTAMINATION RISKS ON THE POPULATION OF CAMEROON: A BAMENDA EXAMPLE
No full textThis study identifies springs and streams in Bamenda as well as their contamination risk through physico-chemical and bacteriological pollution form waste disposal and catchment sources degradation by human activities in an urban setting with advanced drinking water scarcity in the dry season. There are no control measures to maximize water resources exploitation for the general welfare. The study uses primary and secondary data from field and laboratory analysis to identify the pollution sources to be tied to fishing, crop irrigation, sand extraction, waste disposal, dress washing, bathing, drinking and bike and car washing. Percentage pollution was 18.5 for springs and 23.62 for streams and largely free from, E. coli and salmonella coliforms, while Staphylococci coliform bacterial contamination ranged from 100 to 110 CFU/mL for springs and 600 to 675 CFU/mL for the streams. Some mitigating suggestions have been made
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF THE RURAL FARMERS OF EKITI STATE, NIGERIA ON Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii
No full textAn assessment of the indigenous knowledge of the rural farmers on Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii in Ekiti State, Nigeria was conducted through the use of a combination of direct field observation and interviews using semi-structured questionnaire matrix. The seasonal abundance of the species was also examined. Results obtained revealed that although all the respondents recognised the species yet involvement in the cultivation of the species, either from the seeds or through transplantation of the wildlings were very low and were skewed to older respondents. Field observation also revealed that none of the respondents was willing to cultivate the species in the study area. Factors currently served as disincentives to its cultivation included cultural stigmatization, its apparent lacks of economic and ethnomedicinal values and its poor reproductive nature. The results also revealed that the species was rare in the abundant scale utilised in this study in both seasons. The examination of the respondents’ indigenous knowledge on the species revealed that the older respondents demonstrated remarkable knowledge on the species. This knowledge included the species’ habit, occurrence, abundance, biology and folk importance. Conservation strategies were proposed based on the respondents’ indigenous knowledge
MODELLING FLOOD PRONE AREAS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, SOUTHERN NIGERIA USING GIS TECHNIQUES
No full textThis study was concerned with Modelling Flood Prone Areas in Akwa Ibom State. Some of the key components of flooding in the study area were identified. Euclidean distance, elevation, aspect, slope, vegetation and soil layers were produced. A final flood prone layer was produced and a GIS data base of all the layers was created. Data on Euclidean distance from the ocean and river, elevation, aspect, slope, vegetation and soil were used in generating the flood prone layer. The data were prioritized and combined using Single Output Map Algebra function of ARCMAP 9.2 to generate the different output layers that were divided into three classes of low, moderate and high flooding. Flood output layer of the study area showed that approx. 1,026.4 km2 (about six Local Government Areas) was low in flooding, while 4,243 km2 (about twenty one Local Government Areas) was moderate in flooding, leaving 1,574 km2 (about five Local Government Areas) as high in flooding. It was thus suggested that priority should be given to reducing flooding hotspot areas through identification of mechanisms that government might use to reduce flooding. This involves better understanding of societal preparedness and of the limitations and barriers to adaptation
ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY ADAPTATIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS USING PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS ANALYSIS
No full textClimate change brings serious impacts to human-environment systems and a regional climate model can be used to project future climate scenario [1]. Estimations of climate impacts can be done based on these projection data. By understanding well the causes, mechanisms and consequences of climate change, effective adaptation actions can be taken by individual or stakeholders in response to climate change [2]. This research assesses the impacts of climate change on water resources and community adaptations in Cameron Highlands. Surveys were done in local communities through focus group interviews. 40 respondents were involved. Reliability test, descriptive analysis and principal components analysis were used to investigate the relationship of climate change impacts on water resources and community adaptations in Cameron Highlands. It was found that local communities were aware of the current issue. Principal components analysis showed that the three components being extracted are loaded to food security, forest ecosystem services and agriculture based on focus group. They were conscious of the environmental impacts and actions are taken at individual level to preserve and restore the conditions in Cameron Highlands