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Methods and tools for integrated assessment of land use policies on sustainable development in developing countries
No full textFor stimulating sustainable development in developing countries, land use patterns and land use changes are considered critical, and therefore effective and efficient land use policies are needed. In this paper
we present a methodological framework that has been developed in a joint European and developing countries project (LUPIS – Land Use Policies and Sustainable Development in Developing Countries), to assess the impact of land use policies on sustainable development in developing countries. An illustrative application is presented for a case study in China, where water pollution due to agriculture in Taihu Basin is a major problem. We argue that an integrated assessment is required, considering multiple drivers and indicators that determine the objectives and constraints of the stakeholders involved. Therefore, the sustainability impact assessment (SIA) is based on the concept of Land Use Functions (LUFs), and impacts on these LUFs are
discussed with stakeholders based on a multi-criteria analysis. LUFs comprise economic, environmental and social indicators relevant for stakeholders at multiple scales. Instead of focusing only on the indicators that determine the problem (e.g., nutrient leaching in the Chinese case study), we take a broader perspective (considering also social, economic and institutional objectives and constraints), such that feasible policy options can be recommended. Stakeholders have a large role in discussing the selection of indicators and policies (pre-modelling), evaluating the impacts on indicators (modelling), and the weighing of indicators and LUFs (post-modelling). For the assessment of impacts on indicators (modelling), quantitative and qualitative approaches are combined. We present and discuss an impact assessment of policy options in Taihu Basin, for the current situation and towards 2015. The methodological framework as presented here proved to be useful to guide a sustainability impact assessment in China and six other
case study regions
Stylish lengths: Mate choice in flowers
Get PDFThe styles of flowers may represent an arena for pollen competition in the race to fertilize ovules. Accordingly, selection should favour a longer 'race' to better discriminate among variable pollen by increasing style length. Sampling across a taxonomically diverse range of wild and outcrossed species, we found that the distribution of style lengths within plants were skewed towards longer styles, as predicted. In self-pollinated domesticated species, where discrimination among pollen is less important, we found no such pattern. We conclude that style length is under directional selection towards longer styles as a mechanism for mate choice among pollen of variable quality
Sequestration of Camptothecin, an Anticancer Alkaloid, by Chrysomelid Beetles
No full textCamptothecin (CPT), a monoterpene indole alkaloid, is a potent inhibitor of eukaryotic toposiomerase-I. Several derivatives of CPT are in clinical use against ovarian and lung cancers. CPT has been reported from several plant species belonging to the order Asterids, with the highest concentration in Nothapodytes nimmoniana (family Icacinaceae). In this paper, we report an intriguing observation of chrysomelid beetles (Kanarella unicolor Jacobby) feeding on the leaves of N. nimmoniana without any apparent adverse effect. LC-MS/MS analysis of the beetles indicated that 54.9% of the ingested CPT’s was recovered from the wings, followed by lesser amounts in the head and abdomen. LC-HRMS analysis revealed that most of the CPT in the insect body was in the parental form available in the plants without any major metabolizable products, including sulfated and glucuronilated forms. The mechanism by which the beetles are able to tolerate substantially high levels of CPT in their body tissue is under investigation
Scaling up and Sustainability: the experience of rural India
No full textFrom its genesis as a primarily ecological concept, the notion of sustainability has come a long way to encompass multiple dimensions, including cultural, social and
economic. The modern-day emphasis on efficiency, profits and scaling up has posed threats to the multiple realms of sustainability. This paper provides insights into the conflicts between scaling up and sustainability in the agricultural sector in India. Using a graphical representation of sustainability, the paper illustrates the conflicts that are created when there is scaling up of one dimension. This graphical tool is used to illustrate the consequence of scaling up on overall sustainability in the context of rural India. It suggests alternative and more sustainable approaches to secure the livelihoods of the rural poor
Patterns of diversity and conservation status of freshwater fishes in the tributaries of River Ramganga in the Shiwaliks of the Western Himalaya
Get PDFA short study was undertaken from December 2004 to April 2005, to assess the species diversity and composition of freshwater fishes in three tributaries of Ramganga river in the foothills of Western Himalaya. One tributary was within a protected area (PA; Corbett National Park); the other two were outside the PA (Lansdowne Forest Division). Cast nets were used for fish sampling, which was done from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. In total, 43 species belonging to eight families and five orders were recorded which included 29 species belonging to the threatened category. Family Cyprinidae was represented by the maximum number of species. Species richness and diversity was high in the PA. Similarity in fish composition varied from 60% to 70% across the tributaries. Dynamiting, poisoning and diverting water flows to collect fish are the major threats. Creating awareness, controlling illegal fishing and protecting the breeding grounds of fishes are some of the measures recommended to counter these threats
Indotestudo travancorica (Boulenger 1907) – Travancore Tortoise
No full textThe Travancore Tortoise, Indotestudo travancorica (Family Testudinidae) is a medium-sized tortoise (straight carapace length [SCL] up to 331 mm) endemic to the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. The taxonomy of the genus Indotestudo has recently been revised, and I. travancorica is considered a distinct species. It is found in semi-evergreen, evergreen, moist deciduous, and bamboo forests, as well as in rubber and teak plantations, occurring mostly near streams and marshes, with a home range of 5.2–34 ha. Travancore Tortoises are omnivorous; their diet encompasses grasses to mollusks and they occasionally scavenge on dead animals. They breed from November to March in captivity, have a clutch size of 1–5 eggs, and hatchlings measure 55–60 mm SCL. The major threats to this species are hunting and habitat loss. Conservation measures should focus on protection, identification of crucial tortoise habitats, and increasing awareness among local communities
Of the hunter and the hunted
Get PDFRamadevara Betta in Ramanagara is home to the critically- endangered long-billed vulture. But tourism and widlife photography seem to be doing a lot of harm to the region’s birdlife. The Forest Department’s recent announcement to turn the area into a vulture sanctuary could help
Ethanol synthesis by anoxic root segments from five cedar species relates to their habitat attributes but not their known differences in vulnerability to Phytophthora lateralis root disease
No full textEthanol synthesis by anoxic root segments from Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl.); yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach); Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.); western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don), and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.) Florin ) was compared to determine whether the amounts that they produced during flooding could contribute the known greater vulnerability of Port Orford cedar to infection by Phytophthora lateralis Tucker & Milbrat. Roots were incubated in water at 5, 15, 25, and 35 °C for 14 days with periodic sampling. After 12 h of anoxic stress, Atlantic white cedar and yellow cedar roots produced equal quantities of ethanol that were about two times more than produced by the other three species, which did not differ from one another. The roots remained anoxic for 14 days, with ethanol concentrations increasing 6 to 11 times depending on the species. After 14 days, Atlantic white cedar remained the highest ethanol producer at two to three times more than the other species, whereas incense cedar yields were the lowest. Yellow cedar, western redcedar, and Port Orford cedar had intermediate levels of ethanol. The similarity in responses of Port Orford cedar to the other species is strong evidence that ethanol is not an important contributor to its known greater vulnerability to P. lateralis infection. In general, root incubation temperature affected ethanol synthesis similarly for all species. Increases in temperature from 5 to 15 °C or 15 to 25 °C doubled the ethanol yields at 12 h. Literature ratings of anaerobic tolerance for these cedars were compared with ratings based on their ethanol yields after 12 h or 14 days of anoxia. The latter rating appears to more closely correspond with the cedars associations to wet, mesic environments and their likelihood of experiencing anoxia via flooding
In pursuit of a universal barcode of plants: peril of followers?
Get PDFIn May 2007, during the early days of the DNA bar coding project in India, we published an article, ‘DNA barcoding: an exercise in futility or utility’1. As the
title reflects, we were literally at crossroads, caught between the cross-fire of traditional taxonomists (we think it is disrespectful to call them traditional;
they are as much modern as are archaeologists and molecular biologists) and molecular systematists and not knowing which way to go forward. After a reasonable
amount of brain-storming that took us through well-trodden criticisms of the DNA barcoding initiative, we concluded that while debates can go on, the tool itself can be effectively used in complementing conventional taxonomic studies and in securing Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for important taxa. We also felt at that time that it would be important for the country to develop skills and infrastructure to undertake barcoding of at least some of the important taxa, both for conservation and commerce
Biligiri Tiger reserve: include Soligas in conservation plan
Get PDFProtesting against the proposal of the Karnataka forest department to notify the Biligiri Hills as a Tiger Reserve, the resident Soliga adivasis have instead proposed a community-based tiger conservation model