Adjoining Areas Research Articles

Floristic Survey of the Adjoining Areas of a Sacred Grove: A Case Study of the Okhemu Shrine, Nigeria

Floristic Survey of the Adjoining Areas of a Sacred Grove: A Case Study of the Okhemu Shrine, Nigeria

Outcrop analogy with the subsurface geology and hydrocarbon prospectivity of Jaintiapur and adjacent areas in North-East Bangladesh

The availability of hydrocarbons in the eastern part of Bangladesh indicates the presence of active petroleum systems in the Bengal basin. Although extensive research has been conducted in the Surma basin, the correlation between structural configuration, tectonostratigraphic framework, and hydrocarbon potentiality in the basin including Jaintiapur area has not yet been established. In this study, the hydrocarbon prospectivity of Jaintiapur and the adjoining Dupigaon area has been characterized through outcrop analogy with the subsurface interpretation of seismic data along L13-01, PK-SY-5, and L13-03 lines. The main three megasequences have been recognized based on sequence stratigraphy in the Sylhet region utilizing outcrop, seismic, and well-log data. The exposed Tertiary and Quaternary formations of Jaintiapur and adjoining areas can be classified into eleven litho-stratigraphic units. Detailed facies analyses indicate that these rock units were deposited in fluvial, deltaic, and shallow marine environments. The subsurface lithology of the study area has been inferred from the petrophysical data obtained from Sylhet-7, Kailashtila-4, and Jalalabad-1 wells. Jaintiapur area lies in a tectonically complex province and is controlled by the Dauki Fault System. Folding and faulting represent intense tectonic deformation in the area. Detailed analyses of surface and subsurface geology indicate that faults pass along the rivers and transverse faults segment the reservoirs. A total of seven horizons have been interpreted using Petrel software. The seismic attribute analysis identifies leads and prospects based on transverse faults and amplitude anomalies with distinct bright spots at the PK-SY-5 line. From seismic interpretation, attribute analysis, and lithofacies distribution of Sylhet-7 well and its surround area in the Dupigaon, it seems that same gas bearing sand. Gas sands of the Sylhet-7 well indicate the possibility of gas/oil in the equivalent sedimentary sequence in the Dupigaon structure as this area is located close to and more down-dip towards the kitchen area.

An updated checklist of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Chandigarh, India and its surrounding area.

The affirmation about the prevalence of mosquito species at a particular place and time is very significant, not only to predict the danger of diseases or future outbreaks but also to control the vectors in time. Despite mosquitoes being medically important, the information about its faunal diversity is very scanty as far as Chandigarh in India and its nearby areas are concerned. So, this study was carried out to survey the mosquito fauna from areas in and around Chandigarh in northern India. Detailed mosquito surveys were carried out to explore the mosquito fauna from various habitats of developed urban areas, gardens, slums and surrounding villages of Chandigarh from June 2017-November 2019 using hand nets and oral aspirators. A total of 34 mosquito species belonging to 8 genera viz; Anopheles, Aedes, Armigeres, Culex, Coquillet-tidia, Mansonia, Mimomyia and Verrallina were recorded, identified and preserved along with detailed collection data, of which eight are new records from Chandigarh. The present checklist of mosquito fauna comprising 34 species provides information on the occurrence of mosquito vectors in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas which will be beneficial for the health authorities to adopt appropriate measures in time for the control of these vectors.

Diversity and seasonal occurrence of odonates in the dry deciduous ecoregion of Purulia, West Bengal, India

A year-long study was conducted in the dry deciduous ecoregion of Purulia, West Bengal, India from March 2018 to February 2019 to document the diversity, species composition, and occurrence of odonata species in different seasons. Direct search and opportunistic sighting methods were used in combination at five selected sites, namely, the Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University campus, Saheb Bandh, the Surulia Deer Park (Mini Zoo), Ketika, and the Kansai river-side. A total of 11,471 individuals belonging to 8 families and 40 species were recorded during the study period. Anisoptera (dragonflies) were represented by 29 species belonging to 4 families, whereas Zygoptera (damselflies) were also found to be represented by 4 families but only 11 species. Libellulidae were found to be the largest family represented by 24 species, while the ground skimmer Diplacodes trivialis was the most dominant species. Species richness was the highest in the post-monsoon, whereas the Shannon diversity index was found to reach maximum values in winter. Overall, we conclude that the town of Purulia and its adjoining area with its patchy vegetation and extreme weather conditions have moderate odonate diversity.

Thermoelectric properties of Zn-Sb compound semiconductor

The article discusses the results obtained in the study of the thermoelectric properties of the semiconducting Zn-Sb polycrystalline structure obtained by powder technology. Studies show that thermal processing stages and temperature changes significantly affect its thermoelectric properties. At the initial stages of heat treatment, with an increase in temperature, the Seebeck coefficient (α), thermal conductivity (λ) and thermoelectric index (ZT) first decrease, then increase, and decrease again with an increase in temperature. From the fourth stage of heat treatment, all parameters increase with temperature. The research results were explained on the basis of the formation of intergranular boundary areas and its physical properties. The first stage of thermal treatment is the initial stage of ZnSb particle fusion, and the supplied thermal energy Q is not enough for ZnSb particle fusion. In the next stage of heat treatment, the atoms of the crystal lattice, which consists of a broken bond or defect between the pressed particles, are forced together or condensed. As the temperature increases, the phases of the crystal lattice atoms change and their reactivity increases. This leads to the formation of a ZnSb semiconductor with a polycrystalline structure. As the temperature increases, the localized traps with Ein energy level are ionized and electron-hole pairs are formed in the two adjoining boundary areas. Charges created in area A move to area V, which has a relatively low temperature, along the Ein energy levels. As a result, the total λ increases at the same time as the thermal conductivity of these two adjacent areas.

How much water supply resilience is enough? – A discussion paper

Resilience for water supply systems is the ability to maintain supply when the system is impacted by a disruption from the norm. It is not just about source reliability. It includes all manner of infrastructure failures and natural disasters, and even terrorist and war events. There is a spectrum of failure scenarios ranging from relatively short local supply area outages through to city wide total losses of supply, and the associated consequences range from inconvenience to catastrophic. Whatever the nature of a supply disruption, there will be a resilience measure which could be taken to reduce its impact, but could it be justified particularly when there is a small probability of it ever being needed. It is proposed guidance about how much resilience is needed could be obtained from existing level of service standards, even though those standards might not be used locally or be directly related to water supply. The paper investigated two ends of the resilience spectrum, frequently and exceptionally infrequently resilience needed events. It was found that most Australian water supply authorities are providing a similar level of service, and consistent with a 10 to 15-year standard for frequently occurring resilience events. Storage tanks are the main source of resilience for many water supply areas for such events and have historically been sized using qualitative methods. This paper discusses the more effective use of quantitative methods. At the other end of the spectrum resilience is capable of maintaining supply in events with average recurrence intervals of 1,000 to <10,000 years is specified by published emergency risk guidelines. A high-level review of Queensland urban centres found resilience to meet all types of failure scenarios, not just droughts, approaching a 10,000-year standard could be provided in conjunction with high level of water restrictions if independent water source and treatment capabilities from adjoining supply areas were interconnected.

Qualitative phytochemical analysis of ten different leafy wild vegetables

The present research paper focuses on the phytochemical analysis of 10 different species of non-cultivated, wild, and traditional vegetables available in the adjoining area of Nipani City (Karnataka) during the rainy season. These wild plants are used as medicine as well as vegetables. They are used to treat different diseases like diabetes, rheumatism, dysentery, dyspepsia, gastritis, constipation, urinary disorders, etc., and are easily available in natural habitats, a cheap and excellent source of nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, iron, essential minerals, and other secondary metabolites. Phytochemical analyzed 10 leafy vegetable extracts shows the presence of phytochemicals such as phenols, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. The photochemical analysis of these plants is very important commercially and has a great interest in pharmaceutical companies for the production of new drugs for curing various diseases.

A Comparative Study on the spread of Dengue due to pollution in the adjoining areas of Beliaghata Canal and Bagjola Canal in Kolkata: A Sociological Study

The research was done in Kolkata in the ward 14 and ward 26 along the adjoining areas of the Beliaghata Canal and Bagjola Canal in the state of West Bengal. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative method in this study. The researcher conducted Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the fellow participants, while conducting the survey. The result showed that the knowledge on hygiene and sanitation was the major problem causing the public health issue in those wards in Kolkata. During the monsoon the water gets logged in the narrow lanes, where the Aedes Aegypti mosquito breeds and thus causes Dengue in those areas. The researchers in this study collected primary data from the ward 14 and ward 26 and tried to compare and contrast the problem of hygiene and sanitation and the related public health issue causing Dengue in those two canals areas, Beliaghata and Bagjola canal in Kolkata. The researcher found the poor sanitation and pollution in these two canals where the plastic cups, plastic bottle, plastic plates, coconut shells all clogged the drains and canals causing the Aedes Aegypti mosquito to breed in those containers during the monsoon causing the spread of Dengue.

Application of bivariate approaches for flood susceptibility mapping: a district level study in Eastern India

The main objective of this present study is to prepare flood susceptibility mapping using bivariate approaches considering parameters such as rainfall, geomorphology, geology, soil, elevation, ground slope, curvature of the land, flow directions, stream density, distance from road, distance from river, land use land cover, topographic wetness index, normalized differentiate vegetation index and water index. Bivariate methods like Shannon's Entropy Index (SEI) and Weight of Evidence (WofE-IV) models have been used in conjunction with remote sensing and geographical information system and it was found that 17.77% (SEI) and 11.20% (WofE-IV) area of the district categorized as highly susceptible to flood especially found in the adjoining area of Tangon, Punarbhaba, and Atreyee rivers. Around 26–35% of the total area is safe from flood especially located in the Tapan and Banshihari block. The area under curve values (SEI = 0.954, WofE-IV = 0.913) shows that both models are performing well for flood susceptibility mapping.

Study of fodder plants in Azmatabad village of Thannamandi, District Rajouri (J&K) India

The present study was conducted to document the fodder plants and their usage by the Pahari and Gujjar community of Azmatabad village and adjoining area of Thanna mandi District Rajouri of J&K. Documentation is the first step in achieving conservation and sustainable use of fodder plants. Study area is inhibited mostly by Gujjar and Pahari tribes whose chief occupation is rearing of cattle, sheep and goats. These animals obtain their food by grazing in pastures, browsing leaves of shrubs and trees. The young twigs and leaves of trees are lopped for fodder. A total of 45 species were reported.

Some Wild Species of Basidiomycetous Fungi (Polypores & Mushrooms) Found in the Way to Daunne Devi Temple, Daunne, Parasi District, Nepal

The aim of the present study was documentation of some wild species of Basidiomycetous Fungi (Polypores and Mushrooms). The specimens were collected from Daunne Devi temple and its adjoining area, Daunne, Parasi district in October, 2021. Total of 15 species of Basidiomycetous fungi were collected. The identified species represent five orders belonging to seven families and 13 genera. Polyporales was found to be the dominant order in the study area with 8 species which are Daedaleopsis confragosa, Lenzites betulinus, Microporus sp., Microporus xanthopus, Polyporus spp. (2 species), Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Steccherinum albo-fibrilosa and Trametes versicolor followed by Agaricales belong to the species of Echinoderma asperum and Schizophyllum commune and Hymenochaetales includes Hymenochaete sp. and Phellinus gilvus. Auriculariales and Corticales are represented by single species each.

Climate change and mapping hazard risk and vulnerability in mountain ecosystem: A case study of Himachal Himalaya

The Himalayas represents a vast mountain system and is globally valued for their significant role in the regulation of global as well as the regional climate that has a direct impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services crucial for the sustenance of millions of people in the Himalayas and adjoining areas. Climate change in the Himalayan region has implications for food production, natural ecosystems, the retreat of glaciers, water supply, human and animal health and overall human well-being. There is a severe gap in the dissemination of knowledge of the short and long-term implications of climate change in the Himalayas and in downstream. An introspection of the status of the vulnerability of the Western Himalayan ecosystem to climate change due to ecological fragility, scarcity of resources and increase in disaster occurrence shows a need to strengthen local knowledge, innovations, and practices within social and ecological systems as well as strengthening the functioning of institutions relevant for adaptation. The study is useful to policy makers to design appropriate adaptation strategies to cope with the impacts of climate changes in the area.

Assessment of Forest Fire and Its Impact on Plant Biodiversity of Buffer Zone, Langtang National Park, Nepal

The research work was focused on the study of forest fire and its impact assessment on plant biodiversity by vegetation assessment in the fire-affected and adjoining non-affected areas to identify the signals of severity and probable causes of fire. Data were collected by quadrate method, site survey, consultation and group discussion, mapping of the studied area, and questionnaire survey. The results show that there was a notable difference in tree and shrub diversity. The Shannon Wienner index (H) = 0.70 and 0.49, and Simpson’s Divesity (D) = 0.64 and 0.51, for trees in adjoining and fire-affected areas respectively. Similarly, Shannon Wienner index (H) = 0.91 and 0.72, and Simpson’s Divesity (D) = 0.84 and 0.68 for shrubs in adjoining and fire-affected areas respectively. Likewise, herb diversity did not differ significantly (H = 1.02 and 0.97; D = 0.87 and 0.88 in the adjacent to burned area and fire-affected area). Gleichenia gigantea, Artemisia dubia, Rubus spp., Oxalis chodata, and some medicinal plants such as Butea minor were found to be most affected by the fire. Mainly dried thickets of Drepanostachyum intermedium and Saccharum spontaneum act as fuel for the fire, which easily ignites and regenerates soon after a fire. Drought before monsoon was found to be the leading cause of forest fires, followed by electricity shooting (17%), ignorance and carelessness (38%), slash and burn practice (15%), other (7%), and unknown causes (23%). Hence the need to better address the drivers of resource extraction from the national park to mitigate this degradation.

Exploratory assessment of geothermal resources in some parts of the Middle Benue Trough of Nigeria using airborne potential field data

Some parts of the Middle Benue Trough (MBT) of Nigeria were evaluated with the aim of detecting prospective geothermal potential regions. Spectral depth analysis using a modified centroid procedure was applied to analyze high-resolution airborne magnetic data. The Curie point depth (CPD) within the study area is in the range of 6.0 and 16 km. It was observed that the Gboko Anticlines (GA) that are interrelated with the Santonian intrusions of Abakaliki Anticlinorium (AA) are characterized by thin CPD (6.0–8.0 km). The mapped geothermal anomalies within the GA with shallow CPD (<8.0 km) are dominated by the high geothermal gradient (GG) (>74 °C/km) and heat flow (HF) (>155 mW/m2) values. The adjoining areas within the study area are defined by medium-deep CPD (8.0–16.0 km), medium–low GG (<74 °C/km), and HF (<155 mW/m2) values. The further integrated geophysical investigation and subsequent exploitation programs should be sited in the delineated GA and adjoining AA

Status of Wetland Birds around Hetauda, Makawanpur

The major objective of this study was to update the status of wetlands birds around Hetauda valley, based on recent observations. The study was conducted in different wetlands and riverine ecosystems of the Hetauda sub-metropolitan city. The present study recorded 81 species of wetland-dependent birds representing 41.9% of the total wetland birds of the country, belonging to nine orders and twenty-three families. Charadriiformes were found to be the most dominant order. Out of the total wetland bird recorded, 36 species were winter visitors, 38 were residents, and seven were summer visitors. It is found to be a good roosting site for many migratory and residential birds. The fishery complex and its adjoining areas were found to be more diverse in comparison to other study sites. Major threat issues observed in the study area are habitat fragmentation and degradation, pollution and sewage from the industrial belts and urban areas, overfishing, poaching, mining of sand and gravel from rivers, lack of awareness, etc. Recently the human activities and population of Hetauda is raising rapidly after the declaration of Hetauda as the capital city of Bagmati province. Furthermore, the important highways of the country like the east-west highway, Tribhuwan highway from Hetauda to Kathmandu, Dharan-Chatara highway, and the Nijgadh-Kathmandu fast track which is under construction are passes through Hetauda. This confirms that Hetauda is rising rapidly and will be converted into a big city soon. So an Instant plan should be developed to ensure sustainable conservation and development in an eco-friendly manner.

Diversity and distribution of tortoises and turtles in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas in southern Bhutan

Diversity and distribution of tortoises and turtles in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas in southern Bhutan

Effectiveness of crop and livestock protection methods against wildlife damage: A case from Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Human-wildlife conflict is a major issue for policymakers and conservationists due to economic loss to the communities living in the close territory of the park, affecting their livelihoods and wellbeing. This study aims at identifying and quantifying wildlife-induced damages on crops and livestock and methods used by communities for crop and livestock protection. A total of 434 households living in the vicinity of the park from the ten forest user groups around the Chitwan national parks and buffer zone were randomly sampled and interviewed with the use of semi-structured questionnaires in the year 2021. Findings revealed a total of 87.86% of rice-growing households reported the damage of rice whereas 90.32% and 87.68% of households reported the damage to wheat and maize, respectively. The annual loss of 78 kg of rice per household (NRs. 1776 at prevailing market rates) was reported along with the loss of wheat (86 Kg-worth of NRs. 2,523) and maize (96 Kg-worth of NRs. 2,019) per household. About 59% of households had lost at least a livestock species and poultry in last year, and that varied well across the sectors. Twelve different methods and techniques were identified by communities that were used regularly to prevent crop damage and livestock loss with the majority of people using certain methods and techniques against crop damage and livestock loss. A total of 425 (97.93%) were reported that they used at least one method and technique to prevent crop damage and livestock loss. Among all these methods, crop guarding, shouting, use of natural fences, guarding by dogs, and throwing stones were the most effective and safest practices/techniques, but the use of a single means and approach was found ineffective. This suggests the need for developing site-specific management techniques to minimize crop damage and livestock loss in the National Park vicinity and adjoining protected areas. Apart from the different mitigating means, construction, and maintaining permanent fences on the border of the national parks, there should be the provision of conservation education to communities bordering protected areas to practice sustainable agriculture and income-generating programs that are conservation-friendly. that may include, for example, provision of conservation educations along with income-generating programs that are conservation-friendly.

Melt sources for alkaline carbonate-bearing rocks of the Terskiy Coast (Kola Alkaline Carbonatitic Province)

We investigate relationships between melt sources for lamprophyres, kimberlites and other alkaline carbonate-rich melts by studying rocks of the Terskiy Coast (Northwest Russia) situated between the coeval Devonian Kola Alkaline Carbonatite (KACP) and Archangelsk Kimberlite Provinces (AKP). This study reports Sr-Nd-Pb isotope systematics of lamprophyres, carbonatites, turjaite and foidite dykes, Turij Mys massif turjaites, perovskite and garnet from the dykes, and the Ermakovskaya-7 kimberlite, the only kimberlite of the Terskiy Coast. Principal Components Analysis was used to classify the data by five isotopic variables into rock groups T1, T2 and T3. A factor analysis technique was then applied to new Sr-Nd-Pb data and the KACP literature data to portray the analyses as three clusters on a planar 2-dimentional array. The first of these clusters, T1 is characterized by high combined parameter f(Nd, Pb) > 0.5137 and moderately radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr)375. T1 rocks are mostly ultramafic and plot along the Kola Carbonatite Line in Sr-Nd space. Group T2 is recognized by the presence of a linear correlation between Sr isotope compositions and f(Nd, Pb); the extended span of εNd is combined with a moderately radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr)375, and this group includes the least radiogenic Pb compositions. T2 rocks are petrographically diverse, ranging from kimberlites to phonolites. T3 rocks form a cloud of points with elevated (87Sr/86Sr)375 > 0.7041 and widely varying f(Nd, Pb); they are mostly alkaline lamprophyres. All three groups of studied rocks record a contribution from the depleted mantle, while the mantle beneath the AKP kimberlites that was metasomatized just prior to eruption contributed to T1 rocks, and the Paleoproterozoic metasomatized lithospheric mantle contributed to T2 rocks. T3 rocks record 10% contamination by the lower crust, as recorded by the Sr-Nd isotopic shift between the whole rock and garnet compositions. A geographic position of Ermakovskaya-7, Zolotitsa and Mela kimberlites within the adjoining areas of the KACP and AKP stretched along the strike of the Lapland-Kola belt results in their distinct low ɛNd(375) signatures highlighting a local control on melt generation by the ancient metasomatized mantle. The repeated generation, over billions of years, of melts in spatially restricted areas explains the observed contribution of ancient fеnitized crust and metasomatized mantle to magmas from large alkaline or kimberlite provinces.

A semi-automatic approach for doline mapping in Brazilian covered karst: the way forward to vulnerability assessment

Doline mapping is paramount in the vulnerability and risk assessment of the underground karst environment by identifying cave-ground connectivity points at the surface. However, manual mapping is labour-intensive, slow and subjective, especially on a large scale. Therefore, the present study adopted a GIS-based semi-automatic approach for mapping large and medium-sized depressions/dolines in the Corrente river basin in Brazil, with a particular focus on the environmentally preserved areas of river Vermelho (APANRV Portuguese abbreviation) using remote sensing (DEM and Google Earth imagery) and field-based observations. Seven typical dolines forms (e.g., cockpit with drain insertion, collapse, collapse with river capture, suffosion, solution, cover collapse, and buried) are found from extensive field surveys. As an outcome of the proposed approach, two hundred and thirty-two medium to large-sized dolines have been identified and categorised into three main groups based on the cave density and local geology G1, G2, and G3. The high density of identified dolines (164 known caves) in G1 provides reconnaissance for future speleological works in the preserved areas. Additionally, the presence of a considerable number of dolines in the adjoining areas (G2 and G3) stresses the need to revise the existing boundaries of the APANRV. Results correlate well with the dolines sites marked using field surveys and Google Earth images. This doline mapping may help researchers in the groundwater vulnerability assessment and the protection of speleological heritage preserved in the caves.

Experimental study on consolidation characteristics of deep clayey soil in a typical subsidence area of the North China Plain

Land subsidence is an important environmental problem in the North China Plain (NCP). A typical subsidence area mainly located on adjoining areas of Beijing and Hebei provinces was selected to study the consolidation characteristics of deep clayey soil. Clay samples were collected from 14 boreholes at different depths, and the compression and consolidation behavior of the soil was analyzed by high-pressure oedometer tests. Results show that the deformation amount and deformation stabilization time in the primary consolidation stage increase with the load but decrease with the sampling depth. The nonlinear compression model of e-log(p) does not fit well for deep normally-consolidated clayey soil, the log(e+ec)–logp model fit the shallow clayey soil better than the deep clayey soil, and the hyperbolic model fits almost all soil samples well. Based on statistical theory, the soil consolidation equation CE_NCP was established for calculating the relationship between the degree of consolidation and the time factor in subsidence areas. The equations were fitted with the data obtained from high-pressure consolidation tests to obtain three parameters a, b and c, which are applied to the consolidation calculations for soil samples at depths of 0–100 m, 100–200 m, 200–300 m and 300–400 m, respectively. The applicability of CE_NCP equation was evaluated by comparing it to the analytical solution of Terzaghi’s consolidation equation, results showing that CE_NCP equation is more suitable for the calculation of the consolidation in the study area than the Terzaghi’s analytical solution. Eventually, the CE_NCP equation was successfully used to estimate the degree of consolidation in a subsidence area of Lang Fang City in the NCP.