9 research outputs found
Evaluation of water footprint under Dalbergia sissoo + Emblica offcinalis-based agroforestry model
No full textMorphometric indices assessment: Implications for active tectonics in the upper Narmada Basin, central India
No full textDuring the Palaeoproterozoic era, the Northern and Southern cratonic blocks of the Indian Plate came together and amalgamated. Farther, facilitated by the East-West trending central Tectonic Suture Zone, characterized by the Son-Narmada Fault/Lineament (SNF/L) and Central Shear (CIS) Zone, has long intrigued researchers due to its implications for active tectonics, particularly in the Narmada basin. In this study, we employ geomorphic and morphotectonic indices to elucidate the neotectonic activity in the Upper Narmada basin (UNB) of central India. Utilizing SRTM-DEM data, we analyze morphometric and morphotectonic parameters to shed light on the development of drainage patterns and active tectonics within the basin. Our findings reveal a pronounced influence of tectonics on basin evolution, as evidenced by high bifurcation ratios indicative of intense tectonic activity and elevated ruggedness values suggestive of heightened erosion susceptibility. The predominant ENE-WSW orientation of the Son Narmada South Fault (SNSF) and Son Narmada North Fault (SNNF), aligned with major lineament trends, exerts control over the Narmada River drainage network. Additionally, the high value (<50) of the asymmetric factor reveals the significant tectonic influence on the Upper Narmada basin, while the transverse asymmetric factor and stream length index values further corroborate the basin's susceptibility to active tectonics. Notably, the abrupt elevation changes (200–600 m asl) reflected by Dhuandhar, Kapildhara and other falls along the course of Narmada provide compelling evidence of neotectonic activity. Thus, we assert that morphotectonic analyses employing Digital Elevation Maps, satellite imagery, and SRTM-DEM data represent an efficacious approach for investigating complex basin morphotectonics
Quantifying Land Degradation in Upper Catchment of Narmada River in Central India: Evaluation Study Utilizing Landsat Imagery
No full textThe escalating rates of deforestation, compounded by land degradation arising from intensified mining operations, forest fires, encroachments, and road infrastructure, among other factors, are severely disrupting the botanical and soil ecology of tropical ecosystems. This research focused on the upper Narmada River catchment area in central India, employing geospatial methodologies to assess land use and land cover (LULC) changes. Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite data for 2000, 2010, and 2022 were digitally classified using the maximum likelihood algorithm within the ERDAS IMAGINE and ArcGIS platforms. LULC was delineated into five categories (i.e., water bodies, built-up land, agricultural areas, forested regions, and fallow land). A spatio-temporal analysis revealed substantial declines of approximately 156 km2 in fallow land and 148 km2 in forested areas, accounting for 3.21% of the total area, while built-up land, water bodies, and agriculture land expanded between 2000 and 2022. There was a notable negative correlation observed between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) across all LULC categories, except water bodies. The Land Degradation Vulnerability Index indicated that fallow lands, followed by forests and agriculture areas, exhibited a high vulnerability, with 43.16% of the landscape being categorized as vulnerable over the past 22 years. This study underscores the imperative of effective ecological restoration to mitigate land degradation processes and foster resilient ecosystems. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating scientific data into policy-making frameworks to ensure the comprehensive and timely management of the Narmada River landscape
Land degradation and ecological restoration in central India: A geospatial and machine learning analysis of coal mining impacts
No full textCoal mining, particularly open-cast mining, has become a critical industry to meet India's growing energy demands, contributing significantly to the country's economic growth. However, this industrial expansion has come at a considerable environmental cost, particularly in the Korba region, where coal mining has drastically altered land use and land cover (LULC) patterns. Extensive land degradation (LD), habitat destruction, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss have been observed, with forested and agricultural lands being converted into mining sites and urban settlements. Despite some reclamation efforts, these environmental impacts continue to outpace restoration initiatives. The current study addresses the lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the scale of LULC changes caused by coal mining in the Korba region from 1995 to 2024. It also highlights the insufficient effectiveness of existing reclamation strategies in restoring degraded landscapes. Using remote sensing data, including NDVI, NDBI, NDMI and geospatial analysis, the study quantifies the extent of LD and evaluates the environmental vulnerability through the Land Degradation Vulnerability Index (LDVI). The results reveal a sharp decline in forest cover, from 35.56 % in 1995 to 14.06 % in 2024, and a significant increase in coal mining areas and wastelands. The transformation of natural landscapes into industrial zones had severe implications for ecological services, including reduced water retention, increased soil erosion, and depleting diversity. Additionally, the assessment of current reclamation practices indicates that while some plantations have been established, they have not been sufficient to reverse the overall trend of environmental degradation. Study targeted eco-restoration strategies to ensuring long-term ecological recovery in coal-mined regions, focusing on reintroducing native and resilient plant species, improving soil stabilization techniques, and integrating socio-economic factors to benefit local communities
A geospatial analysis of coal mine overburden reclamation: Land use, carbon stock, biomass, and soil genesis in chronosequence plantations
No full textCoal remains a pivotal energy source, meeting 27 % of global energy demand and 70 % of India's energy requirements. However, coal mining significantly disrupts land use, necessitating effective reclamation strategies. This study examines the repercussions of coal mining on land use disruption and assesses the benefits of revegetation on structural attributes, biomass, carbon sequestration, and soil restoration in central India. Utilizing Landsat 9 satellite imagery, we characterized land use and vegetation dynamics, employing the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to classify five distinct age sequence classes with median ages of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 years. Results indicated a decrease in tree density from 1408 to 588 trees per hectare as plantations aged from 5 to 40 years, while the basal area increased from 5.88 to 28.25 m2 per hectare. Notably, values in 40-year-old stands approached those of natural forests. Key novelties include the identification of a strong correlation between spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) and soil quality indicators, providing a remote-sensing-based framework for monitoring ecological restoration. Both total standing biomass and carbon stock exhibited significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases with plantation age, ranging from 10.25 to 66.41 Mg ha−1 and 5.16 to 32.74 Mg ha−1, respectively. Soil carbon content decreased with depth, with values ranging from 7.68 to 18.98 Mg ha−1 at 0–20 cm depth, and soil nitrogen values spanning 82.66 to 216.08 kg ha−1. These findings underscore the necessity of site-specific management strategies that integrate technological, ecological, and economic considerations to advance ecological restoration and align with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
Table3_Biomass Production Assessment in a Protected Area of Dry Tropical forest Ecosystem of India: A Field to Satellite Observation Approach.DOCX
No full textIn recent decades, degradation and loss of the world’s forest ecosystems have been key contributors to biodiversity loss and future climate change. This article analyzes plant diversity, biomass, carbon sequestration potential (CSP), and the net primary productivity (NPP) of four vegetation types viz., Dense mixed forest (DMF); Open mixed forest (OMF); Teak plantation (TP), and Sal mixed forest (SMF) in the dry tropical forest ecosystem of central India through remote sensing techniques together with physical ground observations during 2013–2018. The total C storage in trees varied from 16.02 to 47.15 Mg ha−1 in studied vegetation types with the highest in DMF and lowest in OMF. The total C storage in stem wood, branches, and foliage falls in the range of 52.93–78.30%, 9.49–22.99%, and 3.31–12.89% respectively. The total standing biomass varied from 83.77 to 111.21 Mg ha−1 and these variations are due to different vegetation types, with the highest in DMF followed by TP, SMF while the lowest was estimated in OMF. The net primary productivity (NPP) [aboveground (AG) + belowground (BG)] varied from 7.61 to 9.94 Mg ha−1 yr−1 with mean values of 8.74 Mg ha−1 yr−1 where AG shares a maximum contribution of 77.66%. The total biomass production was distributed from 64.09 to 82.91% in AG and 17.08–35.91% in BG components. The present study outlines that the studied forest ecosystem has the substantial potential of carbon sequestration and a great possibility of mitigating local and global climate change.</p
Table4_Biomass Production Assessment in a Protected Area of Dry Tropical forest Ecosystem of India: A Field to Satellite Observation Approach.DOCX
No full textIn recent decades, degradation and loss of the world’s forest ecosystems have been key contributors to biodiversity loss and future climate change. This article analyzes plant diversity, biomass, carbon sequestration potential (CSP), and the net primary productivity (NPP) of four vegetation types viz., Dense mixed forest (DMF); Open mixed forest (OMF); Teak plantation (TP), and Sal mixed forest (SMF) in the dry tropical forest ecosystem of central India through remote sensing techniques together with physical ground observations during 2013–2018. The total C storage in trees varied from 16.02 to 47.15 Mg ha−1 in studied vegetation types with the highest in DMF and lowest in OMF. The total C storage in stem wood, branches, and foliage falls in the range of 52.93–78.30%, 9.49–22.99%, and 3.31–12.89% respectively. The total standing biomass varied from 83.77 to 111.21 Mg ha−1 and these variations are due to different vegetation types, with the highest in DMF followed by TP, SMF while the lowest was estimated in OMF. The net primary productivity (NPP) [aboveground (AG) + belowground (BG)] varied from 7.61 to 9.94 Mg ha−1 yr−1 with mean values of 8.74 Mg ha−1 yr−1 where AG shares a maximum contribution of 77.66%. The total biomass production was distributed from 64.09 to 82.91% in AG and 17.08–35.91% in BG components. The present study outlines that the studied forest ecosystem has the substantial potential of carbon sequestration and a great possibility of mitigating local and global climate change.</p
Table2_Biomass Production Assessment in a Protected Area of Dry Tropical forest Ecosystem of India: A Field to Satellite Observation Approach.DOCX
No full textIn recent decades, degradation and loss of the world’s forest ecosystems have been key contributors to biodiversity loss and future climate change. This article analyzes plant diversity, biomass, carbon sequestration potential (CSP), and the net primary productivity (NPP) of four vegetation types viz., Dense mixed forest (DMF); Open mixed forest (OMF); Teak plantation (TP), and Sal mixed forest (SMF) in the dry tropical forest ecosystem of central India through remote sensing techniques together with physical ground observations during 2013–2018. The total C storage in trees varied from 16.02 to 47.15 Mg ha−1 in studied vegetation types with the highest in DMF and lowest in OMF. The total C storage in stem wood, branches, and foliage falls in the range of 52.93–78.30%, 9.49–22.99%, and 3.31–12.89% respectively. The total standing biomass varied from 83.77 to 111.21 Mg ha−1 and these variations are due to different vegetation types, with the highest in DMF followed by TP, SMF while the lowest was estimated in OMF. The net primary productivity (NPP) [aboveground (AG) + belowground (BG)] varied from 7.61 to 9.94 Mg ha−1 yr−1 with mean values of 8.74 Mg ha−1 yr−1 where AG shares a maximum contribution of 77.66%. The total biomass production was distributed from 64.09 to 82.91% in AG and 17.08–35.91% in BG components. The present study outlines that the studied forest ecosystem has the substantial potential of carbon sequestration and a great possibility of mitigating local and global climate change.</p
Table1_Biomass Production Assessment in a Protected Area of Dry Tropical forest Ecosystem of India: A Field to Satellite Observation Approach.DOCX
No full textIn recent decades, degradation and loss of the world’s forest ecosystems have been key contributors to biodiversity loss and future climate change. This article analyzes plant diversity, biomass, carbon sequestration potential (CSP), and the net primary productivity (NPP) of four vegetation types viz., Dense mixed forest (DMF); Open mixed forest (OMF); Teak plantation (TP), and Sal mixed forest (SMF) in the dry tropical forest ecosystem of central India through remote sensing techniques together with physical ground observations during 2013–2018. The total C storage in trees varied from 16.02 to 47.15 Mg ha−1 in studied vegetation types with the highest in DMF and lowest in OMF. The total C storage in stem wood, branches, and foliage falls in the range of 52.93–78.30%, 9.49–22.99%, and 3.31–12.89% respectively. The total standing biomass varied from 83.77 to 111.21 Mg ha−1 and these variations are due to different vegetation types, with the highest in DMF followed by TP, SMF while the lowest was estimated in OMF. The net primary productivity (NPP) [aboveground (AG) + belowground (BG)] varied from 7.61 to 9.94 Mg ha−1 yr−1 with mean values of 8.74 Mg ha−1 yr−1 where AG shares a maximum contribution of 77.66%. The total biomass production was distributed from 64.09 to 82.91% in AG and 17.08–35.91% in BG components. The present study outlines that the studied forest ecosystem has the substantial potential of carbon sequestration and a great possibility of mitigating local and global climate change.</p
