Integrated Management for Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones – A Gis Based Study on the Central Kerala Coast

The present study focuses on the stability of the coast, exploitation of the coastal resources, human activities within the study are that extends from Fort Cochin at north to Thottappally at south, central Kerala State and hinterlands, socio-economic problems of the coastal community and the environmental issues arising in the recent past due to human activities. The objective of the study is critically analyse the coastal zone region and prevailing situation and to propose a comprehensive management plan for the sustainable development of the region under study. The thesis covers varied aspects of coastal uses like fisheries, tourism, land use, water resources etc. To critically examine the above scenarios, the ILWIS (Integrated Land and Water Information Systems) – GIS software has been used. A satellite image of the area has been used for the coastline change detection and land use patterns. The outcome of the present study will be beneficial to the various stakeholders within the coastal region and its hinterlands. To further add, this study should find better applications to similar or near-similar situations of Southeast Asia where identical scenarios are noticeable.

Studies on the fracture behaviour of polymer blends with special reference to PP/HDPE and PS/HIPS blends

Investigations on the fracture behaviour of polymer blends is the topic of this thesis. The blends selected are PP/HDPE and PS/HIPS. PP/HDPE blend is chosen due to its commercial importance and PS/HIPS blend is selected to study the transition from brittle fracture to ductile fracture.PP/HDPE blends were prepared at different compositions by melt blending at 180°C and fracture failure process was investigated by conducting notch sensitivity test and tensile test at different strain rates. The effects of two types of modifiers (particulate and elastomer) on the fracture behaviour and notch sensitivity of PP/HDPE blends were studied. The modifiers used are calcium carbonate, a hard particulate filler commonly used in plastics and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). They were added in 2%, 4% and 6% by weight of the blends.The study shows that the mechanical properties of PP/HDPE blends can be optimized by selecting proper blend compositions. The selected modifiers are found to alter and improve the fracture behaviour and notch sensitivity of the blends. Particulate fillers like calcium carbonate can be used for making the mechanical behaviour more stable at the various blend compositions. The resistance to notch sensitivity of the blends is found to be marginally lower in the presence of calcium carbonate. The elastomeric modifier EPDM produces a better stability of the mechanical behaviour. A low concentration of EPDM is sufficient to effect such a change. EPDM significantly improves the resistance to notch sensitivity of the blends. The study shows that judicious selection of modifiers can improve the fracture behaviour and notch sensitivity of PP/HDPE blends and help these materials to be used for critical applications.For investigating the transition in fracture behaviour and failure modes, PS/HIPS blends were selected. The blends were prepared by melt mixing followed by injection moulding to prepare the specimens for conducting tensile, impact and flexure tests. These tests were used to simulate the various conditions which promote failure.The tensile behaviour of unnotched and notched PS/HIPS blend samples were evaluated at slow speeds. Tensile strengths and moduli were found to increase at the higher testing speed for all the blend combinations whereas maximum strain at break was found to decrease. For a particular speed of testing, the tensile strength and modulus show only a very slight decrease as HIPS content is increased up to about 40%. However, there is a drastic decrease on increasing the HIPS content thereafter.The maximum strain at break shows only a very slight change up to about 40% HIPS content and thereafter shows a remarkable increase. The notched specimens also follow a comparable trend even though the notch sensitivity is seen high for PS rich blends containing up to 40% HIPS. The notch sensitivity marginally decreases with increase in HIPS content. At the same time, it is found to increase with the increase in strain rate. It is observed that blends containing more than 40% HIPS fail in ductile mode.The impact characteristics of PSIHIPS blends studied were impact strength, the energy absorbed by the test specimen and impact toughness. Remarkable increase in impact strength is observed as HIPS content in the blend exceeds 40%. The energy absorbed by the test specimens and the impact toughness also show a comparable trend.Flexural testing which helps to characterize the load bearing capacity was conducted on PS/HIPS blend samples at the two different testing speeds of 5mmlmin and 10 mm/min. The flexural strength increases with increase in testing speed for all the blend compositions. At both the speeds, remarkable reduction in flexural strength is observed as HIPS content in the blend exceeds 40%. The flexural strain and flexural energy absorbed by the specimens are found to increase with increase in HIPS content. At both the testing speeds, brittle fracture is observed for PS rich blends whereas HIPS rich blends show ductile mode of failure.Photoelastic investigations were conducted on PS/HIPS blend samples to analyze their failure modes. A plane polariscope with a broad source of light was utilized for the study. The coloured isochromatic fringes formed indicate the presence of residual stress concentration in the blend samples. The coverage made by the fringes on the test specimens varies with the blend composition and it shows a reducing trend with the increase in HIPS content. This indicates that the presence of residual stress is a contributing factor leading to brittle fracture in PS rich blends and this tendency gradually falls with increase in HIPS content and leads to their ductile mode of failure.

Primary Productivity Of The Retiing Zones In The Kadinamkulamestuary, South-West Coastof India

Retting.of coconut husk is one of the major problems of pollution in the estuaries (Kayals) of Kerala. This paper discusses the salient features associated with the variation in gross and net primary productivity values in the Kadinarnkularn Kayal based on lortnightlydala from twosclected stations frorn Octobcr1987 to September 1988.The gross primary productivity value in the surface water ranged from 0.06 to 0.29gC/m3/day at Station Iand from 0.06 to 1.49gC/rn3/dayatstation II. In the bottom wateritrangcdfrorn oto 0.21 gC/m2/ day at station I whereas that at station II from 0.03 to 1.41gC/m3j day. The net productivity in the surface water at station I varied from 0 to 024 gC/m Iday Whereas that atstation II varied from 0.02to 1.44gC/m3Iday.AI the bottomwaterilvaried from ato 0.19gC/m3/ day at station I and from 0.01 to 1.21gC/m3/day at station II. The monsoon period showed the highest mean seasonal value at stations I and II. The total depletion of dissolved oxygen giving rise to anoxic condition coupled with the production of large quantities of hydrogen sulphide was found to be detrimental to the gross and net productivity values in the retting zone

Core sediment biogeochemistry in specific zones of Cochin Estuarine System (CES)

Geochemical composition is a set of data for predicting the climatic condition existing in an ecosystem. Both the surficial and core sediment geochemistry are helpful in monitoring, assessing and evaluating the marine environment. The aim of the research work is to assess the relationship between the biogeochemical constituents in the Cochin Estuarine System (CES), their modifications after a long period of anoxia and also to identify the various processes which control the sediment composition in this region, through a multivariate statistical approach. Therefore the study of present core sediment geochemistry has a critical role in unraveling the benchmark of their characterization. Sediment cores from four prominent zones of CES were examined for various biogeochemical aspects. The results have served as rejuvenating records for the prediction of core sediment status prevailing in the CES

The role of ligneous vegetation for livestock nutrition in the sub-Sahelian and Sudanian zones of West Africa: Potential effects of climate change

Climate change and variability in sub-Saharan West Africa is expected to have negative consequences for crop and livestock farming due to the strong dependence of these sectors on rainfall and natural resources, and the low adaptive capacity of crops farmers, agro-pastoralist and pastoralists in the region. The objective of this PhD research was to investigate the anticipated impacts of expected future climate change and variability on nutrition and grazing management of livestock in the prevailing extensive agro-pastoral and pastoral systems of the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of Burkina Faso. To achieve this, three studies were undertaken in selected village territories (100 km² each) in the southern Sahelian (Taffogo), northern Sudanian (Nobere, Safane) and southern Sudanian (Sokouraba) zone of the country during 2009 and 2010. The choice of two villages in the northern Sudanian zone was guided by the dichotomy between intense agricultural land use and high population density near Safane, and lower agricultural land use in the tampon zone between the village of Nobere and the National Park Kaboré Tambi of Pô. Using global positioning and geographical information systems tools, the spatio-temporal variation in the use of grazing areas by cattle, sheep and goats, and in their foraging behaviour in the four villages was assessed by monitoring three herds each per species during a one-year cycle (Chapter 2). Maximum itinerary lengths (km/d) were observed in the hot dry season (March-May); they were longer for sheep (18.8) and cattle (17.4) than for goats (10.5, p<0.05). Daily total grazing time spent on pasture ranged from 6 - 11 h with cattle staying longer on pasture than small ruminants (p<0.05). Feeding time accounted for 52% - 72% of daily time on pasture, irrespective of species. Herds spent longer time on pasture and walked farther distances in the southern Sahelian than the two Sudanian zones (p<0.01), while daily feeding time was longer in the southern Sudanian than in the other two zones (p>0.05). Proportional time spent resting decreased from the rainy (June - October) to the cool (November - February) and hot dry season (p<0.05), while in parallel the proportion of walking time increased. Feeding time of all species was to a significantly high proportion spent on wooded land (tree crown cover 5-10%, or shrub cover >10%) in the southern Sahelian zone, and on forest land (tree crown cover >10%) in the two Sudanian zones, irrespective of season. It is concluded that with the expansion of cropland in the whole region, remaining islands of wooded land, including also fields fallowed for three or more years with their considerable shrub cover, are particularly valuable pasturing areas for ruminant stock. Measures must be taken that counteract the shrinking of wooded land and forests across the whole region, including also active protection and (re)establishment of drought-tolerant fodder trees. Observation of the selection behaviour of the above herds of cattle and small ruminant as far as browse species were concerned, and interviews with 75 of Fulani livestock keepers on use of browse as feed by their ruminant stock and as remedies for animal disease treatment was undertaken (Chapter 3) in order to evaluate the consequence of climate change for the contribution of browse to livestock nutrition and animal health in the extensive grazing-based livestock systems. The results indicated that grazing cattle and small ruminants do make considerable use of browse species on pasture across the studied agro-ecological zones. Goats spent more time (p<0.01) feeding on browse species than sheep and cattle, which spent a low to moderate proportion of their feeding time on browsing in any of the study sites. As far as the agro-ecological zones were concerned, the contribution of browse species to livestock nutrition was more important in the southern Sahelian and northern Sudanian zone than the southern Sudanian zone, and this contribution is higher during the cold and hot dry season than during the rainy season. A total of 75 browse species were selected on pasture year around, whereby cattle strongly preferred Afzelia africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Piliostigma sp., while sheep and goats primarily fed on Balanites aegyptiaca, Ziziphus mauritiana and Acacia sp. Crude protein concentration (in DM) of pods or fruits of the most important browse species selected by goats, sheep and cattle ranged from 7% to 13% for pods, and from 10% to 18% for foliage. The concentration of digestible organic matter of preferred browse species mostly ranged from 40% to 60%, and the concentrations of total phenols, condensed tannins and acid detergent lignin were low. Linear regression analyses showed that browse preference on pasture is strongly related to its contents (% of DM) of CP, ADF, NDF and OM digestibility. Interviewed livestock keepers reported that browse species are increasingly use by their grazing animals, while for animal health care use of tree- and shrub-based remedies decreased over the last two decades. It is concluded that due to climate change with expected negative impact on the productivity of the herbaceous layer of communal pastures browse fodder will gain in importance for animal nutrition. Therefore re-establishment and dissemination of locally adapted browse species preferred by ruminants is needed to increase the nutritional situation of ruminant stock in the region and contribute to species diversity and soil fertility restoration in degraded pasture areas. In Chapter 4 a combination of household surveys and participatory research approaches was used in the four villages, and additionally in the village of Zogoré (southern Sahelian zone) and of Karangasso Vigué (northern Sudanian zone) to investigate pastoralists’ (n= 76) and agro-pastoralists’ (n= 83) perception of climate change, and their adaptation strategies in crop and livestock production at farm level. Across the three agro-ecological zones, the majority of the interviewees perceived an increase in maximum day temperatures and decrease of total annual rainfall over the last two decades. Perceptions of change in climate patterns were in line with meteorological data for increased temperatures while for total rainfall farmers’ views contrasted the rainfall records which showed a slight increase of precipitation. According to all interviewees climate change and variability have negative impacts on their crop and animal husbandry, and most of them already adopted some coping and adaptation strategies at farm level to secure their livelihoods and reduce negative impacts on their farming system. Although these strategies are valuable and can help crop and livestock farmers to cope with the recurrent droughts and climate variability, they are not effective against expected extreme climate events. Governmental and non-governmental organisations should develop effective policies and strategies at local, regional and national level to support farmers in their endeavours to cope with climate change phenomena; measures should be site-specific and take into account farmers’ experiences and strategies already in place.

Home gardens and Dioscorea species – A case study from the climatic zones of Sri Lanka

Home gardens are considered as vital units for enhancing food security particularly in developing nations of South Asia, such as Sri Lanka. Although the yam crop Dioscorea spp. constitute a popular but still minor component in Sri Lankan home gardens, they have the potential of producing large quantities of edible material with minimal inputs. However, their real value in South Asian home gardens is not yet reported. Hence, this study was carried out to get insights into home garden characteristics, gardener demography as well as current management practices within 300 Sri Lankan home garden systems that are located along a climatic gradient. By using interviews and field observations, gardeners, who cultivated in particular Dioscorea species, were studied within 10 of the 25 administrative districts distributed in the wet, intermediate and dry climatic zone of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, current management practices of yams cultivation were analyzed on local scale and compared afterwards with management recommendations published in the year 2006 by the Department of Agriculture. Dioscorea species were found in a majority of home gardens, especially in wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. D. alata was the most prominent species and was managed at a subsistence level and not as per recommendations developed by the Department of Agriculture. Our results revealed that Dioscorea alata is an essential component of Sri Lankan home gardens in rural areas and can yield substantial quantities of edible tubers with low input, especially during times of food scarcities, and has therefore the potential to enhance food security and rural development.

Estudi i propostes de gestió de les zones humides dels Estanys de Basturs

Estudi del medi abiòtic i biòtic dels estanys de Basturs (Conca del riu Tremp) a partir del qual s'han elaborat diverses propostes de gestió dirigides a una millora de la conservació les zones humides

Localització de les zones òptimes del litoral català per la instal•lació d’un parc eòlic marí

Anàlisi territorial del litoral català mitjançant una sèrie de variables tractades amb sistemes d’informació geogràfica (recurs eòlic, perfil batimètric, zones incloses en Xarxa Natura 2000, subestacions elèctriques vora la costa) per tal de localitzar les zones òptimes d’implantació d’un parc eòlic marí

L'absentisme escolar en zones socialment desafavorides : el cas de la ciutat de Barcelona. 'El absentismo escolar en zonas socialmente desfavorecidas : el caso de la ciudad de Barcelona'.

Conocer los procesos institucionales que contribuyen a la invisibilidad del absentismo, en base al examen de las prácticas de detección y control y los procesos que los centros escolares desarrollan delante del fenómeno. 28 centros, 19 centros públicos de primaria y 9 institutos de secundaria, situados en zonas de Barcelona que concentran mayores indicadores de desigualdad social y escolar, que se configuran como los barrios más deficitarios de la ciudad. Se analizan las prácticas de intervención de los centros de primaria y secundaria en relación a las representaciones y atribución de causas del absentismo y se interpretan las similitudes y diferencias entre centros en base a una aproximación heurística a las culturas de trabajo del profesorado. Para ello se examinan los modos de trabajo del profesorado como elemento de reproducción o transformación de las formas de intervención dominantes. Aunque hay elementos de cultura pedagógica diferenciales entre los niveles de enseñanza, resulta excesivo establecer una polaridad que asocie un modelo burocrático a secundaria y un modelo comunitario a la enseñanza primaria, dada la heterogeneidad entre los centros de una misma etapa educativa, la incidencia de las dinámicas oficiales, los cambios de mandato en la escuela, etc. Los resultados concretos del estudio muestran el predominio de centros clasificados dentro del modelo de conexión, es decir, centros con unas culturas de trabajo poco definidas donde parece ser que una determinada visión e interpretación del absentismo puede tener incidencia en las formas de abordar la problemática. Probablemente el contexto de cambio que introduce la implementación de la reforma educativa en los institutos de secundaria ha generado incertidumbre entre el profesorado, que se acentuan, particularmente, en el contexto social en el que desarrollan su tarea educativa. Entre otras conclusiones, en secundaria se tiende a una concepción estrecha del absentismo, circunscrito a ausencias muy visibles, a unos controles puntuales poco exhaustivos y a unas estrategias de adscripción de alumnado en competencia con otros centros, que contribuyen al repliegue del centro hacia sí mismo, y a esconder ciertas situaciones consideradas 'problemáticas'. Además no existen criterios institucionalizados que permitan disponer de una definición común sobre el absentismo, ni un umbral a partir del cual considerar el absentismo como una amenaza para el aprendizaje o necesario para la intervención. Se constata que los centros que definen de forma precisa el absentismo y establecen criterios rigurosos para su control son también los centros escolares con las tasas de absentismo más elevadas. Parece que hay unas tasas más elevadas de absentismo en institutos caracterizados por una relación entre éste y la elevada rotación de las plantillas, aunque no se trata de una relación perfecta. En cualquier caso, la estabilidad del equipo docente puede ser considerada condición necesaria para el establecimiento de criterios de intervención conjuntos contra el absentismo, aunque no es condición suficiente. Por lo que respecta a las causas, en primaria predominan las referencias a factores de carácter estructural, mientras que en secundaria predominan las referencias a un absentismo conjuntural: a la inadaptación, al rechazo y al conflicto escolar, con un perfil predominantemente masculino. También hay otras formas de desafección como la indiferencia o el retraimiento, que en conjunto ponen de manifiesto la particular problemática que representa la prolongación de la enseñanza obligatoria secundaria para este alumnado y también para los docentes. Se observa una interacción entre el absentismo, desmotivación y bajo rendimiento escolar. Una mayor tendencia a dar respuestas homogéneas y a la inhibición delante del absentismo se da en institutos proclives a la clasificación fuerte y jerarquización del alumnado según el rendimiento académico, aunque bajo fórmulas aparentemente comprensivas de organización escolar también se producen reacciones de inhibición o respuestas uniformadoras. Domina un discurso sustentado en la teoría del handicap cultural, tanto en primaria como en secundaria, en base a que el absentismo se interpreta como el resultado de una serie de carencias familiares o de ausencia de motivación por la escuela, de falta de valoración de la educación y de la interiorización de unos patrones culturales y valores particularistas. A menudo, las referencias a factores étnicos, raciales o culturales son el argumento para justificar una no intervención. Casi en todos los centros de primaria se reflexiona sobre el papel que la escuela puede jugar para favorecer una escolarización regular, mientras que en secundaria esta reflexión es minoritaria. En primaria dominan las interpretaciones del absentismo como un fenómeno resultante de factores socioeconómicos y culturales. No obstante persiste entre los entrevistados la creencia en la capacidad de modificar estas situaciones desde la propia escuela. En cambio, en secundaria predomina una interpretación del absentismo en clave de problemática escolar, a pesar de que, al mismo tiempo, se señala el papel limitado de la escuela para combatirlo.

Les zones educatives : una idea en marxa

Resumen basado en el de la publicaci??n