Distribution of Benthic In fauna in the Cochin Backwaters In Relation To Environmental Parameters

The study revealed stress and localized impact of industrial waste on the biota, predominance of stress tolerant species and low diversity in the vicinity of the effluent discharge point. These studies on impact of environmental parameters on the distribution of macrobenthos thus indicate the quantum of endurance warranted by the infauna to tide over the wide range of environmental stress. Low diversity and lower number of benthic fauna near discharge site can be attributed to the stress caused by cumulative toxic effects of effluents. The results of the physico-chemical parameters highlight the effects of pollution. The results of the study indicated the changes due to the large-scale movements of the estuarine water under the influence of tide, monsoon and land runoff coupled with its heterogenous nature owing to the effluent discharge from the industries

Studies on the Benthic Fauna of the Mangrove Swamps of Cochin Area

Division of Marine Biology, Micrbiology and Biochemistry,Cochin University of Science and Technology

Studies on the Effects of Bottom Trawling on the Benthic Fauna off Veraval Coast, Gujarat

Bottom trawling is one among the most destructive human induced physical disturbances inflicted to seabed and its living communities. The bottom trawls are designed to tow along the sea floor, which on its operation indiscriminately smashes everything on their way crushing, killing, burying and exposing to predators the benthic fauna. Bottom trawling causes physical and biological damages that are irreversible, extensive and long lasting. The commercial trawling fleet of India consists of 29,241 small and medium-fishing boats. The northwest coast of India has the largest fishing fleet consisting of 23,618 mechanized vessels, especially the bottom trawlers. However, attempts were not made to study the impact of bottom trawling along Northwest coast of India. The estimated optimum fleet size of Gujarat is 1,473 mechanised trawlers while 7402 commercial trawlers are operated from the coast of Gujarat. Veraval port was designed initially for 1,200 fishing trawlers but 2793 trawlers are being operated from this port making it the largest trawler port of Gujarat. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bottom trawling on the substratum and the associated benthic communities of commercial trawling grounds of Veraval coast. The study compared the differences between the samples collected before and after experimental trawling to detect the impacts of bottom trawling. Attempts were made to assess the possible impact of bottom trawling on:(i) the sediment characteristics (ii)the sediment heavy metals (iii) epifauna (iv) macrobenthos and (v) meiobenthos. This study is expected to generate information on trawling impacts of the studied area that will help in better management of the biological diversity and integrity of the benthic fauna off Veraval coast. An exhaustive review on the studies conducted around the world and in India on impact of bottom trawling on the benthic fauna is also detailed.In the present study, the bottom trawling induced variations on sediment organic matter, epifauna, macrobenthos and meiobenthos were evident. It was also observed that the seasonal/ natural variations were more prominent masking the trawling effect on sediment texture and heavy metals. Enforcement of control of excess bottom trawlers and popularization of semi pelagic trawls designed to operate a little distance above the sea bottom for off bottom resources will minimize disturbance on the sea bottom. Training and creating awareness in responsible fishing should be made mandatory requirements, to the coastal communities. They should be made wardens to protect the valuable resources for the benefit of sustainability. To protect the biodiversity and ecosystem health, the imminent need is to survey and make catalogue, identification of sensitive areas or hot spots and to adopt management strategies for the conservation and biodiversity protection of benthic fauna. The present study is a pioneering work carried out along Veraval coast. This thesis will provide a major fillip to the studies on impact of bottom trawling on the benthic fauna along the coast of India.

Studies on the taxonomy of interstitial Fauna of some prominent beaches of Kerala

The oceans in their expanse cover, seven - tenths of the Earth surface. Despite being restricted in size, the littoral zone or the intertidal zone (beach) has the greatest variation in environment factors of any marine area .Stemming from this variation ,a treamendous diversity of life, which may be great as or greater than that found in the more extensive sub tidal habits exist in this realm. the study beaches harbour diverse and abundant assemblage of marine organisms. Besides macro funna, microscopic organisms belonging to the lower and higher invertebrate taxa profusely inhabit these beaches. The ecological realm where these animals exist is known as the interstitial environment, which in principle includes the pore spaces in between the sand grains containing copious supply of nutrient rich oxygenated seawater. An astonishing diversity of taxa could be found within the interstitial fauna.

Biochar improves fertility of a clay soil in the Brazilian Savannah: short term effects and impact on rice yield

The objective of this study was to report single season effects of wood biochar (char) application coupled with N fertilization on soil chemical properties, aerobic rice growth and grain yield in a clayey Rhodic Ferralsol in the Brazilian Savannah. Char application effected an increase in soil pH, K, Ca, Mg, CEC, Mn and nitrate while decreasing Al content and potential acidity of soils. No distinct effect of char application on grain yield of aerobic rice was observed. We believe that soil properties impacted by char application were inconsequential for rice yields because neither water, low pH, nor the availability of K or P were limiting factors for rice production. Rate of char above 16 Mg ha^(−1) reduced leaf area index and total shoot dry matter by 72 days after sowing. The number of panicles infected by rice blast decreased with increasing char rate. Increased dry matter beyond the remobilization capacity of the crop, and high number of panicles infected by rice blast were the likely cause of the lower grain yield observed when more than 60 kg N ha^(−1) was applied. The optimal rate of N was 46 kg ha^(−1) and resulted in a rice grain yield above 3 Mg ha^(−1).

Agricultural Production and Yield Estimation: Two distinctive aspects of Brazilian Agriculture and a perspective on world food problems

Brazil has been increasing its importance in agricultural markets. The reasons are well known to be the relative abundance of land, the increasing technology used in crops, and the development of the agribusiness sector which allow for a fast response to price stimuli. The elasticity of acreage response to increases in expected return is estimated for Soybeans in a dynamic (long term) error correction model. Regarding yield patterns, a large variation in the yearly rates of growth in yield is observed, climate being probably the main source of this variation which result in ‘good’ and ‘bad’ years. In South America, special attention should be given to the El Niño and La Niña phenomena, both said to have important effects on rainfalls patterns and consequently in yield. The influence on El Niño and La Niña in historical data is examined and some ways of estimating the impact of climate on yield of Soybean and Corn markets are proposed. Possible implications of climate change may apply.

The Brazilian Zero Hunger social program implications in achieving sustainable development

This article aims to analyse the progress taken by Brazil towards the accomplishment of a sustainable development, mainly highlighting the success of the Zero Hunger social programme in achieving the elimination of starvation. As one of the essential pillars to the sustainable development, the State’s social performance demands actions directed to the elimination of extreme poverty and hunger, establishing a basis for equitable growth. It is necessary to clarify the juridical and constitutional framework of Brazil, aiming to emphasise the Zero Hunger importance in achieving the Brazilian Republic’s goals and reaching an international pattern on sustainable development. Also, it will be stressed that the international order influences Brazilian domestic law and is one of the main aspects for the Zero Hunger program development.

Estudio didáctico de la flora y fauna de una comarca : Jumilla-Yecla.

El libro se dirige a aquellas personas, sobre todo jóvenes, que identifican la caza y el trofeo con la seguridad en uno mismo. Cuando se conocen los ciclos de la naturaleza y lo que es el equilibrio ecológico se forja en la mente de niños y jóvenes una actitud positiva con el medio natural. Otro de los objetivos del libro es colaborar, servir de herramienta para la programación de las Ciencias de la Naturaleza en las aulas, para que la educación ecológica sea realidad en algunos años. El libro constituye una completa guía de la flora y la fauna del Altiplano (Yecla y Jumilla) con profusión de ilustraciones, gráficos y dibujos y propuesta de actividades: itinerarios, registros de observación, estudio de ecosistemas (charca), experimentos de laboratorio y de campo.

Experiencia didáctica con la flora y la fauna del Mar Menor y Parque Regional de Calblanque.

Guía didáctica en la que se describe los parajes del Mar Menor y Calblanque así como su flora y su fauna. Incluye una guía fotográfica y un texto didáctico a modo de diario de un ecologista con sugerencias de actividades. El último bloque lo constituyen una serie de proyectos, indagaciones y experimentos para realizar en el aula o en la naturaleza, además de modelos de fichas de campo para aves, peces, plantas y conchas.

La Connectivitat biològica entre el massís de l' Albera i el massís de les Salines: una aproximació des de la fauna vertebrada

Aquest projecte pretén estudiar la falta de connectivitat biològica entre la serra de l' Albera i el massís de les Salines (Pirineu empordanès)

Pla de gestió Reserva Natural de Fauna Salvatge de l’Illa de Fluvià

El projecte es basa en l’ elaboració del Pla de gestió de la Reserva Natural de Fauna Salvatge de l’ Illa del Fluvià, coneguda també com l’ Illa de Fares o de Besalú, entre les comarques de la Garrotxa i el Pla de l’ Estany. Es donen un seguit de propostes de millores i també propostes que permetin aprofitar el potencia educatiu de la zona

Flora y fauna de Asturias.

Con este tutorial dirigido a alumnos de Enseñanza Secundaria se pretende alcanzar los siguientes objetivos: Conocer la biodiversidad en flora y fauna del Principado de Asturias. Identificar sus principales especies vegetales y animales. Observar y describir los ciclos vitales en vegetales y animales: la reproducción sexual y asexual. Presentar los ecosistemas más representativos del Principado de Asturias, destacando la importancia de su conservación. Conocer los espacios naturales protegidos en el Principado de Asturias: parques, reservas, monumentos naturales y paisajes protegidos. Valorar el estado de conservación de la flora y fauna: especies de especial interés, especies vulnerables y especies en peligro de extinción en el Principado de Asturias. La publicación presenta los contenidos estructurados en los siguientes apartados: 1) Flora de Asturias: Algas, hongos y líquenes; Plantas sin flores: musgos y helechos; Plantas con flores: gimnospermas y angiospermas. 2) Fauna de Asturias: Esponjas, cnidarios y gusanos planos y cilíndricos; Anélidos y moluscos; Artrópodos; Equinodermos, peces y anfibios; Reptiles, aves y mamíferos. 3) Biodiversidad: Unidades ambientales; Espacios protegidos; Recursos culturales.

Taller de educación ambiental e interpretación de la fauna y ecosistemas en el ámbito local.

Seleccionado en la convocatoria: Ayudas para proyectos de temática educativa, Gobierno de Aragón 2009-10

Incendis, fauna i gestió del patrimoni natural

Article que analitza els efectes del foc sobre la fauna del Cap de Creus i que planteja algunes propostes per gestionar el paisatge natural i la fauna del Cap de Creus